De Santis, J. P., Gattamorta, K. A., Valdes, B., Sanchez, M., & Provencio-Vasquez, E. (2018). The relationship of Hispanic cultural factors and sexual behaviors of Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men. Sexuality and Culture. DOI: 10.1007/s12119-018-9557-8

Existing research suggests a relationship between Hispanic cultural factors, such as familism and machismo, and sexual risk behaviors in Hispanic men who have sex with men (HMSM). The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of various Hispanic cultural factors on the sexual behaviors of HMSM. Analysis of a sample of 125 HMSM revealed that higher levels of familism (importance of the family) and personalismo (relating to others in a polite, respectful manner) were related to higher levels of safer sex behavior. These safer sex behaviors included avoidance of anal sex and higher levels of condom use and assertiveness. Contrary to previous studies, machismo (negative aspects of male behavior, such as more sexual partners and hypermasculinity) had no significant association with sexual behaviors. Findings from this study provide direction for future research, including further examination of personalismo and its protective role against sexual risk behaviors and the development of interventions to reduce sexual risk behaviors in HMSM.