Pathways to Resilience III: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture

Abstract #322
Fostering Resilience Among Gay and Bisexual Boys: Risk and Protective Factors for HIV Risk Behaviours
Presenter: Elizabeth Saewyc Co - Presenters: Yuko Homma, Jacqueline Gahagan, Dominic Beaulieu-Prévost, Gilbert Emond  
Abstract:
Gay and bisexual (GB) men are severely affected by HIV. Although the HIV rate is low among adolescents, GB boys are at higher risk for behaviours that can lead to HIV vs. heterosexual boys. We examined risk and protective factors for HIV risk behaviours among GB boys in British Columbia using the 2008 BC Adolescent Health Survey. The sample was 279 self-identified GB boys. HIV risk index scores were computed by summing eight items (e.g., unprotected intercourse, injected drug use). Examples of risk factors included violence exposure, sexual orientation-based discrimination, and history of government care. Protective factors were family connectedness, school connectedness, peer attitudes towards risk behaviours, and weekly involvement in extracurricular activities. We also tested whether a protective factor moderated the effect of risk factors on HIV risk behaviours. Multiple linear regression models identified violence exposure, discrimination, and ever being in government care as risk factors, and school connectedness and peer anti-risk attitudes as protective factors. We found moderation effects; for example, stronger school connectedness decreased HIV risk particularly among GB boys with sexual violence histories. Developing supportive school environments and promoting healthy peer norms about risk behaviours may foster resilience among GB boys even in face of stigma.