Skip to main content

Parents as Agents of HIV Prevention for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Family and HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Young men who have sex with men (MSM) account for the majority of HIV infections among young people in the United States and young women who have sex with women and men can also become infected with HIV. While family-based approaches have been established for other groups of youth, very few have been developed and tested with sexual minority youth. This chapter reviews evidence for the feasibility of developing family-based programs for these youth as well some of the factors that should be incorporated into such an approach.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Baernstein A, Bostwick WB, Carrick KR, Dunn PM, Goodman KW, Hughes TL, et al. Lesbian and bisexual women’s public health. In: Shankle MD, editor. The handbook of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender public health: a practitioner’s guide to service. New York: Harrington Park Press; 2006. p. 87–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blake SM, Ledsky R, Lehman T, Goodenow C, Sawyer R, Hack T. Preventing sexual risk behaviors among gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents: the benefits of gay-sensitive HIV instruction in schools. Am J Public Health. 2001;91(6):489–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Trends in HIV/AIDS diagnoses among men who have sex with men – 33 states, 2001–2006. MMWR Morb Mortality Wkly Rep. 2008;57(25):681–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Celentano DD, Sifakis F, Hylton J, Torian LV, Guillin V, Koblin BA. Race/ethnic differences in HIV prevalence and risks among adolescent and young adult men who have sex with men. J Urban Health. 2005;82(4):610–21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chan CS. Issues of identity development among Asian-American lesbians and gay men. J Counsel Dev. 1989;68:16–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Augelli AR, Hershberger SL. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth in community settings: personal challenges and mental health problems. Am J Community Psychol. 1993;21(4): 421–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • D’Augelli AR, Grossman AH, Starks MT. Parents’ awareness of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths’ sexual orientation. J Marriage Fam. 2005;67(2):474–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dube EM, Savin-Williams RC. Sexual identity development among ethnic sexual-minority male youths. Dev Psychol. 1999;35(6):1389–98.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Egan PJ, Edelman MS, Sherrill K. Findings from the Hunter college poll of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: new discoveries about identity, political and civic engagement. New York: Hunter College, the City University of New York; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Floyd FJ, Bakeman R. Coming-out across the life course: implications of age and historical ­context. Arch Sex Behav. 2006;35(3):287–96.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garofalo R, Harper GW. Not all adolescents are the same: addressing the unique needs of gay and bisexual male youth. Adolesc Med. 2003;14(3):595–611, vi.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garofalo R, Mustanski B, Donenberg G. Parents know and parents matter; is it time to develop family-based HIV prevention programs for young men who have sex with men? J Adolesc Health. 2008;43(2):201–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gomez C. Lesbians at risk for HIV: the unresolved debate. In: Herek GM, Green B, editors. AIDS, identity, and community: the HIV epidemic and lesbians and gay men, vol. 2. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage; 1995. p. 19–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hall HI, Byers RH, Ling Q, Espinoza L. Racial/ethnic and age disparities in HIV prevalence and disease progression among men who have sex with men in the United States. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(6):1060–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harawa NT, Greenland S, Bingham TA, Johnson DF, Cochran SD, Cunningham WE, et al. Associations of race/ethnicity with HIV prevalence and HIV-related behaviors among young men who have sex with men in 7 urban centers in the United States. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2004;35(5):526–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Harper GW. Sex isn’t that simple: culture and context in HIV prevention interventions for gay and bisexual male adolescents. Am Psychol. 2007;62:806–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herbst JH, Sherba RT, Crepaz N, Deluca JB, Zohrabyan L, Stall RD, et al. A meta-analytic review of HIV behavioral interventions for reducing sexual risk behavior of men who have sex with men. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2005;39(2):228–41.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herek GM, Gonzalkez-Rivera M. Attitudes toward homosexuality among U.S. residents of Mexican descent. J Sex Res. 2006;43(2):122–35.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herek GM, Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian and Gay Issues. Stigma and sexual orientation: understanding prejudice against lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hershberger SL, D’Augelli AR. The impact of victimization on the mental health and suicidality of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths. Dev Psychol. 1995;31(1):65–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill M. Lesbian AIDS project, GMHC. Interview. New York: GMHC; 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter J, Alexander P. Women who sleep with women. In: Ankrah M, Long LD, editors. Women’s experiences with HIV/AIDS: an international perspective. New York: Columbia University Press; 1996. p. 43–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter J, Baer J. HIV prevention and care for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youths: “best practices” from existing programs and policies. In: Meyer IH, Northridge ME, editors. The health of sexual minorities: public health perspectives on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations. New York: Springer; 2007. p. 653–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter J, Schaecher R. Gay and lesbian adolescents, Encyclopedia of social work, vol. 19. Washington, DC: NASW Press; 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunter J, Cohall A, Mallon G, Moyer MB, Riddel J. Health Care Delivery and Public Health Related to GLBT Youth and Young Adults. In: Shankle MD, Mallon D, editors. The handbook of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender public health: a practitioner’s guide to services. New York: Routledge; 2006. p. 221–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • LaSala MC. Parental influence, gay youths, and safer sex. Health Soc Work. 2007;32(1):49–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loue S. Preventing HIV, eliminating disparities among Hispanics in the United States. J Immigr Minor Health. 2006;8(4):313–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lyles CM, Kay LS, Crepaz N, Herbst JH, Passin WF, Kim AS, et al. Best evidence interventions: findings from a systematic review of HIV behavioral interventions for US populations at high risk, 2000–2004. Am J Public Health. 2007;97(1):133–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Minnesota Department of Health (1987. 2005 Report on Minnesota adolescents: STD, HIV, and pregnancy. Minneapolis: Minnesota Department of Health; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mustanski B. Ethical and regulatory issues with conducting sexuality research with LGBT adolescents: a call to action for a scientifically informed approach. Arch Sex Behav. 2011;40(1):189–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mustanski B, Garofalo R, Herrick A, Donenberg G. Psychosocial health problems increase risk for HIV among urban young men who have sex with men: preliminary evidence of a syndemic in need of attention. Ann Behav Med. 2007;34(1):37–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mustanski B, Stauffer A, Garofalo R. At the intersection of HIV/AIDS disparities: young African American men who have sex with men. In: Johnson W, editor. The social work and social justice response to the African American male. Oxford, UK: Oxford Press; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mustanski BS, Garofalo R, Emerson EM. Mental health disorders, psychological distress, and suicidality in a diverse sample of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youths. Am J Public Health. 2010;100(12):2426–32.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mustanski B, Newcomb M, Garofalo R. Mental health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth: a developmental resiliency perspective. J Gay Lesbian Soc Serv. 2011;23(2):204–25.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • O’Leary A, Fisher HH, Purcell DW, Spikes PS, Gomez CA. Correlates of risk patterns and race/ethnicity among HIV-positive men who have sex with men. AIDS Behav. 2007;11(5):706–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Perrino T, Gonzalez-Soldevilla A, Pantin H, Szapocznik J. The role of families in adolescent HIV prevention: a review. Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2000;3(2):81–96.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pew Hispanic Center, and Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Changing faiths: Latinos and the transformation of American religion. Washington, DC: Pew Research Center; 2007.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rangel MC, Gavin L, Reed C, Fowler MG, Lee LM. Epidemiology of HIV and AIDS among adolescents and young adults in the United States. J Adolesc Health. 2006;39(2):156–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Remafedi G. Adolescent homosexuality: psychosocial and medical implications. Pediatrics. 1987;79(3):331–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosario M, Mahler K, Hunter J, Gwadz M. Understanding the unprotected sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths: an empirical test of the cognitive environmental model. Health Psychol. 1999;18(3):272–80.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rosario M, Schrimshaw EW, Hunter J. Ethnic/racial differences in the coming out process of ­lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths: a comparison of sexual identity development over time. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2004;10(3):215–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosario M, Schrimshaw EW, Hunter J. A model of sexual risk behaviors among young gay and bisexual men: longitudinal associations of mental health, substance abuse, sexual abuse, and the coming-out process. Aids Educ Prev. 2006;18(5):444–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan C, Hunter J. Clinical issues with youth. In: A provider’s guide to substance abuse treatment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Washington, DC: Center for Substance Abuse Treatment/SAMHSA (CSAT); 2001. p. 99–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryan C, Huebner D, Diaz RM, Sanchez J. Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics. 2009;123(1):346–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Saewyc E. Pregnancy among lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents: influences of stigma, sexual abuse and sexual orientation. In: Omoto AM, Kurtzman HS, editors. Sexual orientation and mental health: examining identity and development in lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, Contemporary perspectives on lesbian, gay, and bisexual psychology, xi. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2006 (p. 95–116). 323 pp. doi: 10.1037/11261-005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saltzburg S. Learning that an adolescent child is gay or lesbian: the parent experience. Soc Work. 2004;49(1):109–18.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Santrock JW. Adolescence. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill; 2008. p. 287–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams RC. Coming out to parents and self-esteem among gay and lesbian youths. J Homosex. 1989a;18(1–2):1–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams RC. Parental influences on the self-esteem of gay and lesbian youths: a reflected appraisals model. J Homosex. 1989b;17(1–2):93–109.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams RC. Mom, dad, I’m gay: how families negotiate coming out. 1st ed. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association; 2001.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams RC. The new gay teenager. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Savin-Williams RC, Ream GL. Prevalence and stability of sexual orientation components during adolescence and young adulthood. Arch Sex Behav. 2007;36(3):385–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sifakis F, Hylton JB, Flynn C, Solomon L, Mackellar DA, Valleroy LA, et al. Racial disparities in HIV incidence among young men who have sex with men: the Baltimore Young Men’s Survey. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007;46(3):343–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tremble B, Schneider M, Appathurai C. Growing up gay or lesbian in a multicultural context. J Homosex. 1989;17(3–4):253–67.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Valleroy LA, MacKellar DA, Karon JM. HIV prevalence and associated risks in young men who have sex with men: Young Men’s Survey Study Group. JAMA. 2000;284:198–204.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Warren JC, Fernandez MI, Harper GW, Hidalgo MA, Jamil OB, Torres RS. Predictors of ­unprotected sex among young sexually active African American, Hispanic, and White MSM: the importance of ethnicity and culture. AIDS Behav. 2007;12(3):459–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Dr. Mustanski would like to acknowledge the support of NIMH for supporting Project Q (PI: Garofalo; R03MH070812) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, William T Grant Foundation, and David Bohnett Foundation for supporting Project Q2 (PI: Mustanski). He would also like to acknowledge the collaborations of Drs. Garofalo, Donenberg, Kuhns, and his research staff in the IMPACT Program, including Erin Emerson, Steve Garcia, Louisa Bigelow, Michael Newcomb, and Katherine Samuels. Thanks to all of the youth who have participated in the research described here and for the youth services provided by Howard Brown Health Center.

Dr. Hunter would like to acknowledge the Hetrick-Martin Institute for their continuing work with LGBT youth in New York City.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brian Mustanski .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Mustanski, B., Hunter, J. (2012). Parents as Agents of HIV Prevention for Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth. In: Pequegnat, W., Bell, C. (eds) Family and HIV/AIDS. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0439-2_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0439-2_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-0438-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-0439-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics