Our Studies

Understanding the impact of abuse on men's risk behavior was a mixed methods study with 61 Black and Latino sexual minority men (SMM) in New York City that implemented a trauma-informed approach to assessing formative sexual experiences in childhood (i.e., occurring before the age of 16) with male and female partners who were at least 18 years of age at the time. We also conducted in-depth interviews with 35 service providers from the New York City area.

Our study received funding from the National Institutes of Health (R21HD084939; MPI: Benoit / Downing). This study was conducted by researchers at National Development and Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI), a private, not-for-profit, research organization based in New York City. Data collection ended in 2018.

Through in-depth qualitative interviews, we explored the following issues:

• Masculinity and cultural influences on health

• Diverse perceptions on sexual well-being

• Providers’ cultural sensitivity to men’s sexual health needs

• Level of comfort when talking about sexuality with providers

• Whether and how providers should ask about sexual history

Principal Investigators: Ellen Benoit, Ph.D. and Martin Downing, Ph.D.

Feasibility of recruiting nondisclosing Black MSM/W for drug use/HIV research was a qualitative study designed to improve research on HIV risk and protective factors among drug-involved men who have sex with men and women (MSM/W). We interviewed 33 Black men who do not identify as gay or homosexual and do not disclose their same-sex activity to their female partners.

Our study received funding from the National Institutes of Health (R03DA024997; PI: Benoit). This study was conducted by researchers at National Development and Research Institutes, Inc. (NDRI). Interviews were completed in 2009.

• Drs. Benoit and Downing analyzed participant descriptions of first sexual experiences with men and women. Two main themes identified: 24% reported unwanted experiences that were consistent with definitions of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and 33% reported consensual sex with an older male or female.

• Among experiences initially described as consensual, all but one met existing criteria for abuse. Many of these encounters were described as pleasurable or affirming of one’s manhood.

• Notably, these men reported more high-risk sexual behavior and crack/powder cocaine use than men who were more open about being sexually abused during childhood. Moreover, some participants explicitly connected their CSA and later substance use.

Principal Investigator: Ellen Benoit, Ph.D.