Sexual Behaviors and Experiences Among Behaviorally Bisexual Men in the Midwestern United States

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Brian Dodge, Indiana University; Phillip W. Schnarrs, Indiana University; Michael Reece, Indiana University; Omar Martinez, Indiana University; Gabriel Goncalves, Indiana University; David Malebranche, Emory University; Barbara Van Der Pol, Indiana University; Ryan Nix, Step Up Inc; James Fortenberry, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2013-02-01
• Publisher: Springer/Plenum Publishers
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Part of Springer Nature.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10508-011-9878-2
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Archives of Sexual Behavior
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: 247
• End Page: 256
• Grant/Funding Information: Funding for this study was provided by the National Institutes of Health, grant R21 HD 059494 (Brian Dodge, Ph.D., Principal Investigator)
• Keywords: Psychology; LATINO MEN; COMMUNITY; SAMPLE; Social Sciences - Other Topics; BLACK-MEN; AIDS; Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary; Men who have sex with both men and women (MSMW); HIV RISK; Bisexual; HEALTH; TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS; Sexual behavior; Social Sciences; GAY; COMPULSIVITY; Sexual experience; Psychology, Clinical
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health

Abstract

Research examining the sexual behaviors and experiences of behaviorally bisexual men is limited. Most studies focus primarily on highlighting sexual risk behaviors among groups of "men who have sex with men (MSM)" or "gay and bisexual men," which may not be appropriate in terms of behaviorally bisexual men's sexual repertoires with both men and women. This study aimed to assess a broad range of sexual behaviors and associated experiences among bisexual men living in the midwestern United States. An interviewer-administered questionnaire containing items from the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior assessed lifetime and recent (i.e., past 6 months and last event) sexual behaviors and experiences with both male and female partners among a diverse sample of 75 behaviorally bisexual men. Responses were quantified and analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistics. A wide range of sexual behaviors with partners of both genders was found. Vaginal intercourse and oral sex with both men and women were the most commonly reported behaviors. Subjective reports of pleasure, arousal, and sexual function during sexual activity were similar with both male and female sexual partners. Many participants reported using condoms during insertive sexual behaviors with male and female partners, but less during oral sex. Unprotected receptive anal sex was less commonly reported. Overall, participants reported a variety of sexual behaviors and experiences; however, unlike other populations, they shared these with partners of both genders. Results have implications for interventions targeting the sexual behaviors and associated issues among behaviorally bisexual men.