The Relationship Between Use of Sexually Explicit Media and Sexual Risk Behavior in Men Who Have Sex with Men: Exploring the Mediating Effects of Sexual Self-Esteem and Condom Use Self-Efficacy

TY - JOUR

T1 - The Relationship Between Use of Sexually Explicit Media and Sexual Risk Behavior in Men Who Have Sex with Men

T2 - Exploring the Mediating Effects of Sexual Self-Esteem and Condom Use Self-Efficacy

AU - Træen, B.

AU - Hald, Gert Martin

AU - Noor, S. W.

AU - Grey, J.

AU - Rosser, B. R. S.

PY - 2014/1

Y1 - 2014/1

N2 - Objectives: This study tests the following 3 hypotheses: (1) there is a direct association between consumption of sexually explicit media (SEM) depicting non-condom use and sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM); (2) the association between SEM consumption and STI-related sexual risk behavior is mediated by men's sexual self-esteem; and (3) the relationship between SEM consumption and sexual risk behavior is mediated by condom use self-efficacy. Methods: A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey on exposure to SEM and sexual behavior of 1,391 MSM in the United States was conducted in 2011. Results: The results confirmed Hypotheses 1 and 3, while Hypothesis 2 was rejected. Accordingly, a significant association between the use of SEM picturing condom use and STI-related sexual risk behavior among MSM was found. Likewise, we found that the association between the use of SEM and sexual risk behavior was mediated by condom use self-efficacy in an indirect path. However, SEM did not influence sexual risk behavior via sexual self-esteem. Conclusions: To promote STI prevention, the actors in SEM may be used as role models in managing condom use in sexual contexts.

AB - Objectives: This study tests the following 3 hypotheses: (1) there is a direct association between consumption of sexually explicit media (SEM) depicting non-condom use and sexually transmitted infection (STI)-related sexual risk behavior among men who have sex with men (MSM); (2) the association between SEM consumption and STI-related sexual risk behavior is mediated by men's sexual self-esteem; and (3) the relationship between SEM consumption and sexual risk behavior is mediated by condom use self-efficacy. Methods: A cross-sectional, Internet-based survey on exposure to SEM and sexual behavior of 1,391 MSM in the United States was conducted in 2011. Results: The results confirmed Hypotheses 1 and 3, while Hypothesis 2 was rejected. Accordingly, a significant association between the use of SEM picturing condom use and STI-related sexual risk behavior among MSM was found. Likewise, we found that the association between the use of SEM and sexual risk behavior was mediated by condom use self-efficacy in an indirect path. However, SEM did not influence sexual risk behavior via sexual self-esteem. Conclusions: To promote STI prevention, the actors in SEM may be used as role models in managing condom use in sexual contexts.

U2 - 10.1080/19317611.2013.823900

DO - 10.1080/19317611.2013.823900

M3 - Tidsskriftartikel

C2 - 24904709

SN - 1931-7611

VL - 26

SP - 13

EP - 24

JO - International Journal of Sexual Health

JF - International Journal of Sexual Health

IS - 1

ER -