Family Characteristics in Sex Communication and Social Support: Implications for Emerging Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men’s PrEP Engagement

The Influence of Family Bonding, Support, Engagement in Healthcare, on PrEP Stigma among Young Black and Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Path Analysis

“…Our study results indicated that mother bonding both positively predicted family engagement in healthcare but not for father bonding (Figure 1), which is consistent with prior literature that parental bonding influences communication, self-esteem, positive health outcomes, and positive attitudes towards HIV prevention behaviors [13][14][15][16][17]. The presence of family constitutes an important source of psychological stability for individuals who need healthcare [27], in this case, BLMSM disproportionately affected by HIV, who can use PrEP.…”

“…The purpose of this study was to use the ecodevelopment theory to examine the impact of family-level factors on PrEP stigma among BLMSM. Despite the low PrEP use among BLMSM and the significant public health implications, few studies have examined the contextual factors associated with mother and father bonding, family engagement in healthcare, and family social support on PrEP stigma [13][14][15][16][17], making our study novel and relevant. Overall, our findings highlighted that the influence of the familial microsystem is pronounced in modifying PrEP stigma.…”

“…Sexual orientation concealment and/or disassociation from homosexuality in many cases are due to fear of negative consequences within the family unit. Improvement in family relationships and parental bonding may extend the reach of PrEP among adolescents [13,14].…”

A Longitudinal Look at Family Communication about Sexual Issues

“…Talk with parents about sex can protect early (10-13 years old) and middle (14-17 years old) adolescents from risky sexual behaviors and is associated with delayed sex and use of protection among sexually active teens [1,2]. Initial studies suggest that the protective effects of family talk about sex during adolescence may extend into emerging adulthood [3,4], but few studies assess family talk about sex during this period. Emerging adulthood is a developmental period from ages 18 to 25, categorized as in-between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, proposed by Jeffrey Arnett, a developmental psychologist in the U.S. [3][4][5].…”

“…Initial studies suggest that the protective effects of family talk about sex during adolescence may extend into emerging adulthood [3,4], but few studies assess family talk about sex during this period. Emerging adulthood is a developmental period from ages 18 to 25, categorized as in-between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, proposed by Jeffrey Arnett, a developmental psychologist in the U.S. [3][4][5]. Each stage of adolescence and emerging adulthood is characterized by unique developmental tasks and challenges related to relationships and sex [6].…”