Prevalence of extradyadic sex in male couples of mixed HIV status and its relationship to psychological distress and relationship quality

This study assessed the prevalence of extradyadic sex and the relationship between such activity and psychological distress and relationship quality i n male couples of mixed HIV serostatus. Sixty-three couples were interviewe d and had sufficient data for inclusion in all analyses. With regard to sex ual activity during the year prior to being interviewed, 19 (30%) couples w ere monogamous, 18 (29%) described themselves as "open," 13 (21%) kept extr adyadic sex a secret from their partners, and in 13 couples there was only partial knowledge of extradyadic sex. Though not statistically significant, monogamous and open couples consistently scored lower numerically on measu res of psychological distress and higher on measures of relationship qualit y, compared to " partial knowledge" and "secretive" couples. When pooled, m onogamous and open couples scored significantly higher on measures of dyadi c consensus, affectional expression, dyadic satisfaction, and sexual satisf action compared to the combined subgroup of partial knowledge and secretive couples.