Understanding the unprotected sexual behaviors of gay, lesbian, and bisexual youths: An empirical test of the cognitive-environmental model

The cognitive-environmental model (CEM; M. Fishbein et al., 1991) was used to understand the unprotected sexual behaviors of 156 gay, lesbian, and bis exual youths. Unprotected anal sex among the males was associated directly with poor protection skills (e.g., incorrect use of barrier methods, such a s condoms), poor intentions to use barrier methods, and poor norms by sexua l partners concerning barrier methods. Furthermore, the association between low self-efficacy and increasing unprotected anal sex was attributed to po or intentions. Direct associations of unprotected oral sex with poor intent ions and poor partner norms also emerged, as did an indirect relation betwe en unprotected oral sex and low self-efficacy via poor intentions. These la st 3 findings were replicated when examining unprotected oral or vaginal-di gital sex among the females. Relations among the CEM factors supported some GEM-theoretical propositions.