Register      Login
Sexual Health Sexual Health Society
Publishing on sexual health from the widest perspective
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Attractiveness, profile-picture face visibility and unprotected receptive anal intercourse in young men who have sex with men using online dating applications

Val Wongsomboon https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9467-9952 A C , Emils Sietins B and Gregory D. Webster A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Psychology, University of Florida, 945 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA.

B School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

C Corresponding author. Email: v.wongsomboon@ufl.edu

Sexual Health 18(3) 212-220 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH20190
Submitted: 14 October 2020  Accepted: 19 February 2021   Published: 19 May 2021

Journal compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

Background: We examined links among face visibility on dating-profile pictures, self-perceived attractiveness, condom use self-efficacy, and unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) in 223 young men who have sex with men (YMSM; ages 18–24 years) using online dating applications (e.g. Grindr). Methods: Participants reported their face visibility on their main dating-profile picture, attractiveness, condom use self-efficacy, and frequency of URAI in the past 3 months. Number of casual sex partners and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use were statistically controlled in all analyses. Results: Using a mediated moderation model, we found that a significant attractiveness-by-face-visibility interaction for URAI was fully mediated by condom use self-efficacy. Specifically, lower face visibility on profile pictures related to lower condom use self-efficacy, which in turn related to higher URAI, but only among highly attractive YMSM. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that attractive YMSM who show less-visible faces on their dating profiles could be at particularly high risk for sexually transmissible infections. This study has potentially important clinical implications because dating applications have become one of the most common ways for YMSM to find sexual partners.

Keywords: men who have sex with men, young adults, online dating application, face visibility, attractiveness, condom, unprotected sex, sexually transmissible infections.


References

[1]  Choi EPH, Wong JYH, Fong DYT. The use of social networking applications of smartphone and associated sexual risks in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations: a systematic review. AIDS Care 2017; 29 145–55.
The use of social networking applications of smartphone and associated sexual risks in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations: a systematic review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[2]  Card KG, Lachowsky NJ, Cui Z, Shurgold S, Gislason M, Forrest JI, et al Exploring the role of sex-seeking apps and websites in the social and sexual lives of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study. Sex Health 2017; 14 229–37.
Exploring the role of sex-seeking apps and websites in the social and sexual lives of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27977387PubMed |

[3]  Goedel WC, Duncan DT. Contextual factors in geosocial-networking smartphone application use and engagement in condomless anal intercourse among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who use Grindr. Sex Health 2016; 13 549–54.
Contextual factors in geosocial-networking smartphone application use and engagement in condomless anal intercourse among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who use Grindr.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27712610PubMed |

[4]  Macapagal K, Moskowitz DA, Li DH, Carrión A, Bettin E, Fisher CB, et al Hookup app use, sexual behavior, and sexual health among adolescent men who have sex with men in the United States. J Adolesc Health 2018; 62 708–15.
Hookup app use, sexual behavior, and sexual health among adolescent men who have sex with men in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29784114PubMed |

[5]  Wang H, Zhang L, Zhou Y, Wang K, Zhang X, Wu J, et al The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2018; 18 1178
The use of geosocial networking smartphone applications and the risk of sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 30326887PubMed |

[6]  Dangerfield DT, Smith LR, Anderson JN, Bruce OJ, Farley J, Bluthenthal R. Sexual positioning practices and sexual risk among black gay and bisexual men: a life course perspective. AIDS Behav 2018; 22 1919–31.
Sexual positioning practices and sexual risk among black gay and bisexual men: a life course perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 29079948PubMed |

[7]  Hospers HJ, Kok G, Harterink P, de Zwart O. A new meeting place: chatting on the Internet, e-dating and sexual risk behaviour among Dutch men who have sex with men AIDS 2005; 19 1097–101.
A new meeting place: chatting on the Internet, e-dating and sexual risk behaviour among Dutch men who have sex with menCrossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15958842PubMed |

[8]  Macapagal K, Kraus A, Moskowitz DA, Birnholtz J. Geosocial networking application use, characteristics of app-met sexual partners, and sexual behavior among sexual and gender minority adolescents assigned male at birth. J Sex Res 2020; 57 1078–87.
Geosocial networking application use, characteristics of app-met sexual partners, and sexual behavior among sexual and gender minority adolescents assigned male at birth.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31846592PubMed |

[9]  Dangerfield DT, Smith LR, Williams J, Unger J, Bluthenthal R. Sexual positioning among men who have sex with men: a narrative review. Arch Sex Behav 2017; 46 869–84.
Sexual positioning among men who have sex with men: a narrative review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27178171PubMed |

[10]  Fields EL, Bogart LM, Smith KC, Malebranche DJ, Ellen J, Schuster MA. HIV risk and perceptions of masculinity among young black men who have sex with men. J Adolesc Health 2012; 50 296–303.
HIV risk and perceptions of masculinity among young black men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22325136PubMed |

[11]  Johns MM, Pingel E, Eisenberg A, Santana ML, Bauermeister J. Butch tops and femme bottoms? Sexual positioning, sexual decision making, and gender roles among young gay men. Am J Mens Health 2012; 6 505–18.
Butch tops and femme bottoms? Sexual positioning, sexual decision making, and gender roles among young gay men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22843811PubMed |

[12]  Klein H. Condom use self-efficacy and HIV risk practices among men who use the internet to find male partners for unprotected sex. Am J Men Health 2014; 8 190–204.
Condom use self-efficacy and HIV risk practices among men who use the internet to find male partners for unprotected sex.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[13]  Albury K, Byron P.. Safe on My Phone? Same-sex attracted young people’s negotiations of intimacy, visibility, and risk on digital hook-up apps. Social Media +Society 2016; 2 205630511667288
Safe on My Phone? Same-sex attracted young people’s negotiations of intimacy, visibility, and risk on digital hook-up apps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[14]  Anderson JR, Holland E, Koc Y, Haslam N. iObjectify: Self- and other-objectification on Grindr, a geosocial networking application designed for men who have sex with men: self- and other-objectification on Grindr. Eur J Soc Psychol 2018; 48 600–13.
iObjectify: Self- and other-objectification on Grindr, a geosocial networking application designed for men who have sex with men: self- and other-objectification on Grindr.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[15]  Blackwell C, Birnholtz J, Abbott C. Seeing and being seen: co-situation and impression formation using Grindr, a location-aware gay dating app. New Media Soc 2015; 17 1117–36.
Seeing and being seen: co-situation and impression formation using Grindr, a location-aware gay dating app.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[16]  Lemke R, Weber M. That man behind the curtain: Investigating the sexual online dating behavior of men who have sex with men but hide their same-sex sexual attraction in offline surroundings. J Homosex 2017; 64 1561–82.
That man behind the curtain: Investigating the sexual online dating behavior of men who have sex with men but hide their same-sex sexual attraction in offline surroundings.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27754811PubMed |

[17]  Sietins E, Wongsomboon V, Webster GD. Effects of internalized homonegativity and face visibility on HIV-risk-taking behaviour in gay men who had casual sex using online-dating applications. Int J Sex Health 2020; 32 165–70.
Effects of internalized homonegativity and face visibility on HIV-risk-taking behaviour in gay men who had casual sex using online-dating applications.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[18]  DeLonga K, Torres HL, Kamen C, Evans SN, Lee S, Koopman C, et al 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. Sex Addict Compulsivity 2011; 18 61–74.
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.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[19]  Amola O, Grimmett MA. Sexual identity, mental health, HIV risk behaviors, and internalized homophobia among black men who have sex with men. J Couns Dev 2015; 93 236–46.
Sexual identity, mental health, HIV risk behaviors, and internalized homophobia among black men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[20]  Preston DB, D’Augelli AR, Kassab CD, Starks MT. The Relationship of Stigma to the Sexual Risk Behavior of Rural Men Who Have Sex with Men. AIDS Educ Prev 2007; 19 218–30.
The Relationship of Stigma to the Sexual Risk Behavior of Rural Men Who Have Sex with Men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17563276PubMed |

[21]  Michael S, Soskolne V. Internalized homophobia and sexual risk behavior among HIV-infected men who have sex with men in Israel. Soc Work Health Care 2020; 59 709–24.

[22]  Patel P, Borkowf CB, Brooks JT, Lasry A, Lansky A, Mermin J. Estimating per-act HIV transmission risk: a systematic review. AIDS 2014; 28 1509–19.
Estimating per-act HIV transmission risk: a systematic review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24809629PubMed |

[23]  Blashill AJ, Goshe BM, Robbins GK, Mayer KH, Safren SA. Body image disturbance and health behaviors among sexual minority men living with HIV. Health Psychol 2014; 33 677–80.
Body image disturbance and health behaviors among sexual minority men living with HIV.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24977311PubMed |

[24]  Brennan D, Souleymanov R, George C, Newman P, Hart T, Asakura K, et al Masculinity, muscularity, and HIV sexual risk among gay and bisexual men of color. Psychol Men Masc 2015; 16 393–403.
Masculinity, muscularity, and HIV sexual risk among gay and bisexual men of color.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[25]  Meanley S, Hickok A, Johns MM, Pingel ES, Bauermeister JAB. Body mass index, body esteem, and unprotected receptive anal intercourse among young men who have sex with men who seek partners online. Arch Sex Behav 2014; 43 735–44.
Body mass index, body esteem, and unprotected receptive anal intercourse among young men who have sex with men who seek partners online.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23979783PubMed |

[26]  Wilton L. A preliminary study of body image and HIV sexual risk behavior in black gay and bisexual men: implications for HIV prevention. J Gay Lesb Soc Serv 2009; 21 309–25.
A preliminary study of body image and HIV sexual risk behavior in black gay and bisexual men: implications for HIV prevention.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[27]  Frederick D, Essayli J.. Male body image: the roles of sexual orientation and body mass index across five national U.S. studies. Psychol Men Masculinities 2016; 17 336–51.
Male body image: the roles of sexual orientation and body mass index across five national U.S. studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[28]  Brennan DJ, Craig SL, Thompson DEA. Factors associated with a drive for muscularity among gay and bisexual men. Cult Health Sex 2012; 14 1–15.
Factors associated with a drive for muscularity among gay and bisexual men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22077494PubMed |

[29]  Moskowitz DA, Seal DW. Revisiting obesity and condom use in men who have sex with men. Arch Sex Behav 2010; 39 761–5.
Revisiting obesity and condom use in men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19234778PubMed |

[30]  Filice E, Raffoul A, Meyer SB, Neiterman E. The influence of Grindr, a geosocial networking application, on body image in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: an exploratory study. Body Image 2019; 31 59–70.
The influence of Grindr, a geosocial networking application, on body image in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: an exploratory study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 31446375PubMed |

[31]  Downing MJ, Schrimshaw EW. Self-presentation, desired partner characteristics, and sexual behavior preferences in online personal advertisements of men seeking non-gay-identified men. Psychol Sex Orientat Gend Divers 2014; 1 30–9.
Self-presentation, desired partner characteristics, and sexual behavior preferences in online personal advertisements of men seeking non-gay-identified men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25750927PubMed |

[32]  Blashill AJ, Safren SA. Body dissatisfaction and condom use self-efficacy: a meta-analysis. Body Image 2015; 12 73–7.
Body dissatisfaction and condom use self-efficacy: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25462884PubMed |

[33]  Beren SE, Hayden HA, Wilfley DE, Grilo CM. The influence of sexual orientation on body dissatisfaction in adult men and women. I Int J Eat Disord. 1996; 20 135–41.
The influence of sexual orientation on body dissatisfaction in adult men and women.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 8863065PubMed |

[34]  Bryan A, Aiken LS, West SG. HIV/STD risk among incarcerated adolescents: optimism about the future and self‐esteem as predictors of condom use self‐efficacy. J Appl Sociol 2004; 34 912–36.

[35]  Colón RM, Wiatrek DE, Evans RI. The relationship between psychosocial factors and condom use among African-American adolescents. Adolescence 2000; 35 559–69.
| 11130598PubMed |

[36]  Molitor F, Ruiz JD. Safer sex communication and unsafe sexual behavior among young men who have sex with men in California. Arch Sex Behav 1999; 28 335–43.
Safer sex communication and unsafe sexual behavior among young men who have sex with men in California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 10553494PubMed |

[37]  Paul JP, Stall R, Davis F. Sexual risk for HIV transmission among gay/bisexual men in substance-abuse treatment. AIDS Educ Prev 1993; 5 11–24.
| 8481269PubMed |

[38]  Widman L, Noar SM, Choukas-Bradley S, Francis DB. Adolescent sexual health communication and condom use: a meta-analysis. Health Psychol 2014; 33 1113–24.
Adolescent sexual health communication and condom use: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25133828PubMed |

[39]  Mausbach BT, Semple SJ, Strathdee SA, Zians J, Patterson TL. Efficacy of a behavioral intervention for increasing safer sex behaviors in HIV-positive MSM methamphetamine users: results from the EDGE study. Drug Alcohol Depend 2007; 87 249–57.
Efficacy of a behavioral intervention for increasing safer sex behaviors in HIV-positive MSM methamphetamine users: results from the EDGE study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17182196PubMed |

[40]  Hayes AF. Introduction to mediation, moderation, and conditional process analysis: a regression-based approach. Guilford Publications; 2017. 713 p.

[41]  Allensworth-Davies D, Welles SL, Hellerstedt WL, Ross MW. Body image, body satisfaction, and unsafe anal intercourse among men who have sex with men. J Sex Res 2008; 45 49–56.
Body image, body satisfaction, and unsafe anal intercourse among men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18321030PubMed |

[42]  Kraft C, Robinson BE, Nordstrom DL, Bockting WO, Rosser BRS. Obesity, body image, and unsafe sex in men who have sex with men. Arch Sex Behav 2006; 35 587–95.
Obesity, body image, and unsafe sex in men who have sex with men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17031588PubMed |

[43]  Mor Z, Parfionov K, Davidovitch N, Grotto I. Gym exercising patterns, lifestyle and high-risk sexual behaviour in men who have sex with men and in heterosexual men. BMJ Open 2014; 4 e005205
Gym exercising patterns, lifestyle and high-risk sexual behaviour in men who have sex with men and in heterosexual men.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25421336PubMed |

[44]  Wilson P, Santos GM, Hebert P, Ayala G. Access to HIV prevention services and attitudes about emerging strategies: a global survey of men who have sex with men (MSM) and their health care providers. Oakland: The Global Forum on MSM & HIV (MSMGF); 2011. Available online at: https://nyuscholars.nyu.edu/en/publications/access-to-hiv-prevention-services-and-attitudes-about-emerging-st [verified 27 January 2021].

[45]  Bernstein KT, Liu K-L, Begier EM, Koblin B, Karpati A, Murrill C. Same-sex attraction disclosure to health care providers among New York city men who have sex with men: implications for HIV testing approaches. Arch Intern Med 2008; 168 1458–64.
Same-sex attraction disclosure to health care providers among New York city men who have sex with men: implications for HIV testing approaches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18625927PubMed |