This study will look at identity development among gay, bisexual and questioning (GBQ) adolescent males who are HIV negative and how it relates to HIV risk and protective behaviors. This investigation will then generate a model that describes how these factors interact with each other. The model will be used to guide the development of a comprehensive, culturally and developmentally appropriate HIV prevention intervention for HIV negative GBQ adolescent males.

Young men who have sex with men, particularly African-American and Hispanic/Latino youth, are at increased risk of HIV infection. There is an urgent need for interventions to reduce HIV risk that are specifically targeted for gay and bisexual youth that address how identity-related factors such as ethnicity, gender, culture, and sexual orientation impact sexual behavior and HIV related risk behavior. An examination of the developmental, cultural, and social factors that influence identity development and lead these youths to participate in HIV risk behaviors can be used to help identify both protective and risk-enhancing functions. Based on this information, effective interventions that address gay-specific identity issues can then be developed.

This qualitative research study will utilize a cross-sectional research design with three primary phases. Phase I involves surveying gay, bisexual, or questioning (GBQ) male adolescents with quantitative measures and using this information to create a stratified purposive sample for the second phase of the study. Phase II involves conducting in-depth individual qualitative interviews with a sub-sample of GBQ youth from Phase I, as well as individual and focus group validation check interviews with GBQ youth and adult experts. Phase III involves conducting focus groups with GBQ youth to develop the components of an HIV prevention intervention that will be based upon the model of identity development and HIV risk that will be created based on data from Phases I and II.

Ages Eligible for Study:  14 Years   -   22 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Self-identify as gay, bisexual or questioning
• 14 to 22 years of age
• Self-identify to be of African-American, Hispanic/Latino or White non-Hispanic/European-American ancestry
• Understands spoken and written English
• Live in the Chicago or Miami metropolitan area.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Self-reports as HIV seropositive
• Haitian and other Caribbean non-Hispanic Black youth