1. Objectifs

Intentions :
This «[...] study describes the perspectives of youth living with HIV since birth concerning: (1) romantic involvement and sexuality; (2) risk management and partner serostatus disclosure.» (p. 394)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
«Eighteen youths with perinatally acquired HIV followed at the Centre Maternel et Infantile sur le Sida of Montreal’s Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Sainte-Justine were studied.» (p. 394) «The sample consisted of seven boys and 11 girls aged 13-22 years old (M=17.5). Six identified as Haitian, five as African, two as Canadian (Quebec) and five of mixed origin [...].» (p. 395)

Instruments :
- Guide d’entretien semi-directif
- Questionnaires

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse de contenu
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

According to the authors, «[t]he findings suggest that risk is not just related to sexual transmission but more so to the emotional risk of getting rejected. These concerns were also brought up by other adolescents with perinatally acquired or sexually transmitted HIV [...]. The present study shows that youth initiate their romantic and sexual lives but are filled with the anxiety of being rejected by their partner. Cognitive and emotional processes play key roles in romantic relationships and rejection sensitivity, which refers to an individual’s tendency to anxiously expect, perceive and overreact to rejection [...] and could substantially hinder the development of romantic and intimate relationships. [...] [O]f those reporting protected sex at first intercourse, over half mentioned taking risks (e.g., multiple partners, sexual relations with alcohol, drugs or during menstruation) in subsequent relationships. These findings suggest that risk perception evolves with time and experience. The fear of infecting the partner, which is particularly salient at sexual debut, gradually dissipates, i.e., when the viral load is undetectable or when past experience suggests that partners might not become infected. In the context of a significant romantic relationship, risk taking becomes more tempting and condom use acts as a reminder of HIV and a barrier to intimacy.» (p. 398-399)