Loneliness, Internalized Homophobia, and Compulsive Internet Use: Factors Associated with Sexual Risk Behavior among a Sample of Adolescent Males Seeking Services at a Community LGBT Center

• NCJ Number: 236028
• Journal: Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: April - June 2011 Pages: 61-74
• Author(s): Kathryn DeLonga; Hector L. Torres; Charles Kamen; Stephanie N. Evans; Susanne Lee; Cheryl Koopman; Cheryl Gore-Felton
• Date Published: June 2011
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined a modified version of the Loneliness and Sexual Risk Model (LSRM).

Abstract

This study examined a modified version of the Loneliness and Sexual Risk Model (LSRM), which predicts that sexual risk behavior results in part from a link between loneliness and compulsivity. A convenience sample of 49 adolescent males (ages 14 to 19) seeking services at a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Community Center completed a cross-sectional survey that included questions on loneliness, internalized homophobia, and compulsive Internet use. Descriptive, correlational, and regression analyses were conducted. Participants reported a range (0-40) of sexual partners in the past year. Compulsive Internet use was positively and significantly associated with both loneliness and internalized homophobia. A negative binomial regression analysis found that greater feelings of loneliness, less Internet use, and greater homophobia were associated with more sexual partners in the past year. The results provide partial support for the LSRM in adolescents. Implications for prevention and intervention are discussed. (Published Abstract)