Sexual difficulties, concerns, and satisfaction in homosexual men: An empirical study with implications for HIV prevention

B. R Simon Rosser, Michael E. Metz, Walter O. Bockting, Timothy Buroker

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85 Scopus citations

Abstract

Minimal research has investigated the prevalence of sexual disorders in homosexual men. We examined sexual performance concerns, problems, and satisfaction in a convenience sample of 197 homosexual men who attended a health seminar. Sexual dysfunction and sexual concerns were found to be common problems. Almost all men reported some sexual difficulty over their lifetime, and more than half reported a current sexual difficulty. A further 25 % of the sampled men identified other sexual concerns as well. Despite these figures, most participants—whether single, dating, or in a relationship—reported average to above-average sexual satisfaction. Correlates of sexual satisfaction included more liberal attitudes toward human sexuality, greater comfort with men’s sexual attractions to other men, lower levels of internalized homophobia, and greater satisfaction with one’s relationship status. Painful receptive anal intercourse appeared to be a common, yet previously under acknowledged, difficulty. Almost half of the respondents described HIV/AIDS as having a negative impact on their sexual functioning, with most reporting an increase in fear of sex as the major negative outcome.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)61-73
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Sex and Marital Therapy
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was conducted at the Program in Human Sexuality, Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Medical School, University of Minnesota, under a grant from the Minnesota Department of Health, AIDS/STD Prevention Services Section as part of an HIV prevention initiative: Grant number: 1742-634-9012/9013. B. R. Simon Rosser, Ph.D. is an associate professor, and Walter Bockting, Drs., a counselor/instructor at the Program in Human Sexuality; Michael Metz, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist at Meta Resources, St. Paul, and Tim Burokcr, M.D., a psychiatry resident at the University of Hawaii Medical School. Address all correspondence to: B. R. Simon Rosser, Ph.D., Program in Human Sexuality, 1300 S. 2nd Street, #180, Minneapolis, MN 55454; e-mail: rosse001Qmaroon.tc.umn.edu.

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