Condomless Sex Among Homeless Youth: The Role of Multidimensional Social Norms and Gender

Abstract

Most studies of condomless sex among homeless youth have focused on peer norms, while excluding other potentially pertinent influences. This study explored how different types of relationships contributed to norms about condomless sex and whether such norms were associated with engagement in condomless sex among homeless youth. Additionally, because recent work has noted gender differences in social networks of male and female homeless youth, gender differences in social network norms of condomless sex were also assessed. Egocentric network data were collected from homeless youth accessing services at two drop-in centers in Los Angeles, CA (N = 976). Multivariate analyses (non-stratified and stratified by gender) assessed associations between descriptive, injunctive, and communicative norms and participants' engagement in condomless sex. Multivariate analyses indicated that perception of peer condom use and communication with sexual partners were significantly associated with not engaging in condomless sex. These relationships, however, varied by gender. Implications for interventions are discussed.

Exploring the Relationship Between Foster Care Experiences and HIV Risk Behaviors Among a Sample of Homeless Former Foster Youth

“…Due to the response rates across the orientations, sexual orientation was coded as either "heterosexual" or "LGBTQ" for the regressions only. All demographic characteristics examined on the questionnaire were the same as those examined in the YouthNet Study [13,20,25,32].…”

“…The risk behavior questionnaire used was modeled after the YouthNet Study, [e.g. 13,20,25,32]. Foster care experiences were measured through qualitative interviews conducted from a sample of 20 homeless former foster youth in 2014 and includes quantitative measures of foster care experience.…”

“…The social network interview included questions about the people within the participant's social network, the roles that these people played in their lives, and the behaviors in which the people within their social network engaged. The data were collected using standard ego-centric network data collection methods (see e.g., [13,20,22]). For the purpose of this analysis, however, only data from the self-administered behavioral health survey were utilized.…”

“…Time spent homeless over the lifetime was measured on a 6-point scale ranging from less than a year to 11-13 years. Homelessness questions were taken from the YouthNet Study [13,20,25,32].…”

“…Research on homeless youth has suggested this population shows a similar pattern of risk behaviors as former foster youth. Homeless youth (not specifically with foster care histories) are more likely than housed youth to engage in sex at an earlier age, engage in inconsistent condom use, use drugs with sex, experience high rates of STIs including HIV/AIDS, have high-risk partners, have concurrent sex partners, and participate in exchange sex, meaning they exchanged sex for money, drugs, shelter, food, or clothing [20,21,22].…”