Sex with multiple partners,
consecutively or concurrently, is a risk factor for contracting sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) as multiple partner-partner contacts present
increased opportunity for transmission. It is unclear, however, if individuals
who tend to have more partners also use protection less reliably than those
with sexual histories of fewer partners.
Longitudinal data can elucidate whether an individual shows a consistent pattern of sex with multiple partners. We used latent class growth analyses to examine emerging adult survey data (N = 2244) spanning 10 waves of assessment across 6 years.
We identified three trajectory classes described with respect to number of partners as
The Multiple Partners class had the greatest odds ratio of reporting sex without protection against STIs and pregnancy, followed by the Single and Rare classes. Exclusive relationship status was a risk factor for unprotected sex at earlier waves, but a protective factor at most later waves. There was no significant interaction between relationship status and trajectory class in predicting use of protection. The Multiple Partners class reported more permissive values on sex and an elevated proportion of homosexual behavior. This group overlaps with an already identified at-risk population, men who have sex with men.
Potential mechanisms explaining the increased risk for sex without protection, including communication, risk assessment, and co-occurring risk behaviors are discussed as targets for intervention.
Longitudinal data can elucidate whether an individual shows a consistent pattern of sex with multiple partners. We used latent class growth analyses to examine emerging adult survey data (N = 2244) spanning 10 waves of assessment across 6 years.
We identified three trajectory classes described with respect to number of partners as
- Multiple,
- Single, and
- Rare.
The Multiple Partners class had the greatest odds ratio of reporting sex without protection against STIs and pregnancy, followed by the Single and Rare classes. Exclusive relationship status was a risk factor for unprotected sex at earlier waves, but a protective factor at most later waves. There was no significant interaction between relationship status and trajectory class in predicting use of protection. The Multiple Partners class reported more permissive values on sex and an elevated proportion of homosexual behavior. This group overlaps with an already identified at-risk population, men who have sex with men.
Potential mechanisms explaining the increased risk for sex without protection, including communication, risk assessment, and co-occurring risk behaviors are discussed as targets for intervention.
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By:
- 1Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA. james.ashenhurst@utexas.edu.
- 2Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station, A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
- Arch Sex Behav. 2016 Mar 3.
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