Response to 'Bisexual and homosexual behavior and HIV risk among Chinese-, Filipino-, and Korean-American men.' (D.R. Matteson, Journal of Sex Research, vol. 34, p. 93, 1997; includes reply)(Letter to the Editor)

Although it is encouraging to read of another study on sexual behaviors and their correlates among Asian gay and bisexual men, we are troubled by the underdeveloped theoretical framework, flawed study design, and unsubstantiated conclusions drawn by Matteson (1997). Acknowledging that the number of studies (especially empirical investigations) about sexual behaviors among Asian gay and bisexual men is small, we cannot accept his claim that "only three include data on behaviors related to the risk of contracting HIV" (p. 94). How he failed to cite Kyung-Hee Choi and colleagues' research (1995) is puzzling. In addition, Martin Manalansan's (1995) study on the lives of Filipino nongay-identified men in New York City is particularly relevant to Matteson's study, but it, too, was not cited. Manalansan (1996) has since expanded his theoretical arguments in several book chapters. Although Matteson cited a 1989 study by Connie [Chan], we note that Chan (1995; Liu & Chan, 1996) later refined her theoretical arguments about sexuality among East Asians. We contend that had Matteson consulted all published works on the subject, perhaps he would have modified both his approach and conclusions significantly.

Another concern for us is the flawed study design. Matteson stated that "Early in my interviewing, I discovered, that many Asian-American men, in all three ethnic groups, rarely chose other Asian-American men as sexual partners" (p. 99). This observation does not surprise us because participants from his focus groups and informant interviews were primarily recruited from Asians and Friends, a social organization targeting Asian men attracted primarily to White men. Had the author recruited participants from Asian groups targeting Asian men exclusively, Matteson would receive very different reactions and results. Although he acknowledged this bias, it has not affected the conclusions he has drawn.

Matteson and others should know that there are many Asian gay and bisexual men with Asian partners, for whom the findings of this study have limited relevance. In addition, a major recruitment strategy used in the study is placing "posters in most of the city's gay bars and business establishments, and print ads were run in mainstream, gay, and ethnic newspapers" (p. 95). This strategy conflicts with the proposed objective: "to obtain samples that were more representative of a hidden population than the usual convenience sample" (p. 95). Not surprisingly, study participants were more likely to be "gay identified" and U.S. born, with 58% recruited from mainstream print ads, 31% from gay sources, and only 7% from Asian print ads. The flawed study design has resulted in a restriction of range to address the construct of acculturation meaningfully. It has undermined Matteson's ability to answer the major question of the study: "How does acculturation to three subcultures--Asian, mainstream American, and gay--have an impact on bisexual or gay behavior?" (p. 94).

Despite his flawed methodology, Matteson concluded that "Although the Asian-Americans were considered less competent in gay culture than either American or ethnic cultures, the ratings showed the respondents' current investment was highest in the gay subculture--almost twice as high as in Asian culture" (p. 99). For this statement to be valid, one has to assume that the three types of acculturation (gay, Asian, and American) are conceptually and operationally equivalent. Because Matteson did not test these assumptions, his conclusions are premature and scientifically unwarranted. Moreover, acculturation to American society and gay culture did not reach statistical significance. Unfortunately, such unsubstantiated claims are presented as statements of fact throughout the article.

References

Choi, D. H., Coates, T. J., Catania, J., Lew, S., & Chow, P. (1995). High HIV risk among gay Asian and Pacific Islander men in San Francisco. AIDS, 9(3), 306-307.

Choi, K. H., Cortes, J., Lew, S., Chow. P., & Coates, T. J. (1995). AIDS risk, dual identity, and community response among gay Asian and Pacific Islander men in the United States. In G. M. Herek & B. Green (Eds.), AIDS, identity and community: The HIV epidemic and lesbian and gay men (pp. 115-134). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Connie, C. S. (1989). Issues of identity development among Asian-American lesbians and gay men. Journal of Counseling and Development, 68, 16-20.

Connie, C. S. (1995). Issues of sexual identity in an ethnic minority: The case of Chinese American lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people. In A. R. D'Augelli & C. J. Patterson (Eds.), Lesbian, gay and bisexual identities over the lifespan (pp. 87-101). New York: Oxford University Press.

Liu, P., & Chan, C. S. (1996). Lesbian, gay and bisexual Asian Americans and their families. In J. Laird & R. J. Green (Eds.), Lesbian and gays in couples and families (pp. 137-152). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Manalansan, M. F., IV. (1995). Remapping frontiers: The lives of Filipino gay men in New York City. Doctoral dissertation, University of Rochester.

Manalansan, M. F., IV. (1996). Double minorities: Latinos, Black, and Asian men who have sex with men. In R. C. Savin-Williams & K. M. Cohen (Eds.), The lives of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals: Children to adults (pp. 393-415). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace.

Matteson, D. R. (1997). Bisexual and homosexual behavior and HIV risk among Chinese-, Filipino- and Korean-American men. The Journal of Sex Research, 34, 93-104.

Chwee Lye Cling, Ph.D., University of North Texas, P. O. Box 311337 Denton, TX 76203-1337. E-mail: [e-mail].

Frank Wong, Ph.D., Fenway Community Health Center, Boston, MA, Institute for Asian American Studies, UMASS at Boston, Boston University School of Public Health, Tufts University School of Medicine. E-mail: [e-mail].

Jarvis Chen, S. M., Harvard University School of Public Health.

Correspondence should be directed to Chwee Lye Cling, Ph.D.