Exploring the Social Exchange of Manhood and Masculine Norms Among Black Heterosexual College Men.

Traditional masculine norms state men are tough, protective, and sexually assertive. Young Black men must weigh the rewards and costs of adhering to or deviating from these norms within the college environment, as their choices can be detrimental to their health. Using the ecological-exchange framework, we examined adherence to or deviation from traditional masculine norms from focus groups with 13 Black heterosexual men at two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and one Minority-Serving Institution. Participants formed their masculinity through experiences with male role models and mothers but felt conflicted in their need to adhere to or deviate from norms. This reflects the processes men go through to develop their masculinity and highlights needed interventions focused on cultivating healthy masculinity.

Black heterosexual college men's masculinity dimensions, protective behavioral intentions, and sexual risk behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations of dimensions of masculinity-respect/toughness and anti-femininity/hypersexuality-with sexual risk behaviors and protective behavioral intentions and the effects of awareness of anti-Blackness. PARTICIPANTS: 127 Black heterosexual men were recruited from four Historically Black Colleges and Universities and one Minority Serving Institution in the South. METHODS: Students completed an online survey as part of a pilot study to assess the sexual health needs of Black college students. RESULTS: Our results indicated that respect/toughness and anti-femininity/hypersexuality were significant correlates of protective behavioral intentions. After accounting for awareness of anti-Blackness and age, anti-femininity/hypersexuality was a significant correlate of sexual risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights the complex multi-dimensional construct of masculinity and how forms of anti-Blackness continue to influence HIV vulnerability. Therefore, there is a need to include structural factors within research to better understand behaviors among Black college men and incorporate dimensions of masculinity that promote healthy sexual behaviors in interventions and programming.

Using the Social-Ecological Model of HIV Prevention to Explore HIV Testing Behaviors of Young Black College Women.

The purpose of our study was to explore HIV testing behaviors and attitudes among young Black women ages 18-24 years in southern North Carolina (N =17) using a semi-structured interview based on the Socio-Ecological Model. The findings showed that individual, interpersonal, social, and organizational factors contributed to participants' testing behaviors and attitudes. Understanding the factors that influence attitudes and intention for HIV testing among young Black women will inform the development of culturally congruent prevention interventions and programs.