One Love: Explicit Monogamy Agreements among Heterosexual Young Adult Couples at Increased Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections

Authors

Jocelyn T. Warren, Oregon State UniversityFollow
S M. Harvey, Oregon State UniversityFollow
Christopher R. Agnew, Purdue UniversityFollow

Abstract

HIV prevention strategies among couples include condom use, mutual monogamy, and HIV testing. Research suggests that condom use is more likely with new or casual partners, and tends to decline as relationships become steady over time. Little is known, however, about explicit mutual monogamy agreements and HIV testing within heterosexual couples. This study used data from 434 young heterosexual couples at increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to assess (a) couple concordance on perceptions of a monogamy agreement, sustained monogamy, and HIV testing; and (b) the associations of relationship and demographic factors with monogamy agreement, sustained monogamy, and HIV testing. Results indicated only slight to fair agreement within couples on measures of monogamy agreement and sustained monogamy. Overall, 227 couples (52%) concurred that they had an explicit agreement to be monogamous; of those, 162 (71%) had sustained the agreement. Couples with greater health protective communication and commitment were more likely to have a monogamy agreement. Couples of Latino and Hispanic ethnicity and those with children were less likely to have a monogamy agreement. Only commitment was related to sustained monogamy. Having children, greater health protective communication, and perceived vulnerability to HIV and STIs were associated with HIV testing within the couple.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published in Journal of Sex Research on 2012, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00224499.2010.541952.

Keywords

Couples, STDs, Communication

Date of this Version

12-28-2010

DOI

10.1080/00224499.2010.541952

Recommended Citation

Warren, Jocelyn T.; Harvey, S M.; and Agnew, Christopher R., "One Love: Explicit Monogamy Agreements among Heterosexual Young Adult Couples at Increased Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections" (2010). Department of Psychological Sciences Faculty Publications. Paper 60.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2010.541952