Romantic Relationship Satisfaction and Sexual Communication Self-Efficacy Among Partnered Adolescent Sexual Minority Males

Theoretical frameworks suggest that romantic relationship satisfaction may influence sexual communication self-efficacy, which involves the confidence to discuss personal sexual health goals and plays a key role in HIV prevention among partnered adolescent males who have sex with males (MSM). The current study examined romantic relationship satisfaction as a correlate of sexual communication self-efficacy in a sample of partnered adolescent MSM. Participants (<i>n</i> = 50) completed self-report measures including romantic relationship satisfaction and sexual communication self-efficacy. Domains of sexual communication self-efficacy included: sexual history, contraception, condom negotiation, negative sexual messages, and positive sexual messages. Multivariable linear regression models were conducted to examine study aims. Relationship satisfaction was positively associated with self-efficacy in communicating about sexual history, contraception, and negative and positive sexual messages, with effect sizes ranging from moderate to large. These findings shed light on pathways often assumed in HIV intervention programs, emphasizing how romantic relationships are associated with adolescents' confidence in discussing sexual health with partners. Interventions aiming to improve sexual communication may be more effective if they include content on enhancing romantic relationship satisfaction.