Risk Behavior Research of LGBT Men in the Northwest United States

The more we understand it the better we can take care of it. This study aims to illuminate how social networks affect out risk behaviors as men. Within medical social research it is proposed that a certain level of social belonging, and activity within one's social networks has a varying degree of positive effect on overall health. Those that have a stronger psychological sense of belonging to their community, social groups, and family tend to live longer, maintain regular medical checkups, and live a healthier lifestyle, as well as maintain a healthier mental status. Unfortunately the mechaism behind this effect is unknown. Is it that feeling a belonging to a social group increases psychological self-worth which enhances the individual's ability for self-care though regular health practices? Or is it possible that there is a transmission of group norms within the individual's social cohort that increases self-health practices? The proposed purpose of this study is twofold. First, to determine if the perceived correlation between social belonging and individual health translates to sexual health as well to determine whether a psychological sense of belonging to the group, or transmission of group norms has a greater correlation with sexual health practices.