Exploring the Relationship Between Gender Nonconformity and Mental Health Among Black South African Gay and Bisexual Men

Compared to heterosexual men, gay and bisexual men (GBM) are at an increased risk of adverse mental and sexual health outcomes. Minority Stress Theory (MST) proposes that GBM experience an increased prevalence of poor mental health outcomes as a result of minority stress. Building upon MST, the Psychological Mediation Framework (PMF) posits that minority stress leads to changes in general cognitive, affective, and social psychological processes, thereby leading to negative mental health outcomes. The present mixed methods study focused on three primary objectives in a sample of 261 GBM: (a) testing the indirect effects of general psychological processes in the relationship between minority stress and poor mental health outcomes; (b) evaluating whether these processes also account for the relationship between minority stress and poor sexual health outcomes; and (c) qualitatively exploring and further clarifying the PMF. Quantitative results provided support for the PMF by demonstrating that experiences of objective stigma were associated with elevations in psychological risk factors, which were in turn associated with adverse mental health outcomes. When each mediator was examined separately, affective processes had a significant effect on mental health outcomes whereas cognitive and social processes were non-significant. For sexual health, the total indirect effect of general psychological mediators in the relationship between stigma and sexual health outcomes was non-significant. However, when mediators were examined separately, cognitive processes did appear to have a significant indirect effect in this relationship, whereas affective and social processes were non-significant. Qualitative results provided partial support for the PMF; many, but not all, of the key components of the model were discussed by participants, and a number of novel themes emerged that expand beyond variables described in the PMF. These findings have important theoretical implications by helping to refine the PMF and future studies of minority stress. Further, by offering a better understanding of the mechanisms linking minority stress and poor health outcomes, this study may help guide future psychological interventions aimed at improving the health of GBM.

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An empirical examination and extension of the psychological mediation framework among gay and bisexual men: a mixed methods study

10.32920/ryerson.14646771.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Danielle R. Schwartz

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

And Bisexual ◽

The Relationship

Compared to heterosexual men, gay and bisexual men (GBM) are at an increased risk of adverse mental and sexual health outcomes. Minority Stress Theory (MST) proposes that GBM experience an increased prevalence of poor mental health outcomes as a result of minority stress. Building upon MST, the Psychological Mediation Framework (PMF) posits that minority stress leads to changes in general cognitive, affective, and social psychological processes, thereby leading to negative mental health outcomes. The present mixed methods study focused on three primary objectives in a sample of 261 GBM: (a) testing the indirect effects of general psychological processes in the relationship between minority stress and poor mental health outcomes; (b) evaluating whether these processes also account for the relationship between minority stress and poor sexual health outcomes; and (c) qualitatively exploring and further clarifying the PMF. Quantitative results provided support for the PMF by demonstrating that experiences of objective stigma were associated with elevations in psychological risk factors, which were in turn associated with adverse mental health outcomes. When each mediator was examined separately, affective processes had a significant effect on mental health outcomes whereas cognitive and social processes were non-significant. For sexual health, the total indirect effect of general psychological mediators in the relationship between stigma and sexual health outcomes was non-significant. However, when mediators were examined separately, cognitive processes did appear to have a significant indirect effect in this relationship, whereas affective and social processes were non-significant. Qualitative results provided partial support for the PMF; many, but not all, of the key components of the model were discussed by participants, and a number of novel themes emerged that expand beyond variables described in the PMF. These findings have important theoretical implications by helping to refine the PMF and future studies of minority stress. Further, by offering a better understanding of the mechanisms linking minority stress and poor health outcomes, this study may help guide future psychological interventions aimed at improving the health of GBM.

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Association Between Overt and Subtle Experiences of Discrimination and Violence and Mental Health in Homosexual and Bisexual Men in Mexico

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260519898423 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 088626051989842

Author(s):

Juan C. Mendoza-Perez ◽

Luis Ortiz-Hernandez

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Violence ◽

Gender Nonconformity ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Increased Risk ◽

And Bisexual

The aim of this study was to determine whether the experiences of direct or subtle forms of discrimination and violence are associated with mental health in Mexican gay, homosexual, and bisexual (GHB) men. A cross-sectional survey was conducted online; the sample consisted of 4,827 GHB men. Ten forms of overt and subtle sexual orientation–based discrimination and violence (SO-DV) were assessed. Linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between SO-DV experiences and mental health outcomes. Physical violence was reported less frequently than the other forms of SO-DV. As the number of settings in which SO-DV were experienced increased, a stronger association with negative mental health outcomes was observed. Experiences of subtle SO-DV were associated with increased distress, lower vitality, and increased risk of suicidal ideation. Disapproval of gender nonconformity was associated with negative mental health outcomes independently of violence based on sexual orientation. Subtle forms of SO-DV are more common than direct and overt forms. Both types of SO-DV could negatively affect mental health. Studies investigating these negative experiences are required to gain an understanding of the health inequalities faced by non-heterosexual populations.

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Uncovering Clinical Principles and Techniques to Address Minority Stress, Mental Health, and Related Health Risks Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Clinical Psychology Science and Practice ◽

10.1111/cpsp.12078 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 313-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 41

Author(s):

John E. Pachankis

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Risks ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

And Bisexual

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Lifetime Doctor-Diagnosed Mental Health Conditions and Current Substance Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men Living in Vancouver, Canada

Substance Use & Misuse ◽

10.1080/10826084.2016.1264965 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 52 (6) ◽

pp. 785-797 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Nathan J. Lachowsky ◽

Joshun J. S. Dulai ◽

Zishan Cui ◽

Paul Sereda ◽

Ashleigh Rich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Health Conditions ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Mental Health Conditions ◽

And Bisexual

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The rush to risk when interrogating the relationship between methamphetamine use and sexual practice among gay and bisexual men

International Journal of Drug Policy ◽

10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.12.010 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 55 ◽

pp. 242-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Joanne Bryant ◽

Max Hopwood ◽

Gary W. Dowsett ◽

Peter Aggleton ◽

Martin Holt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Sexual Practice ◽

Methamphetamine Use ◽

And Bisexual ◽

The Relationship

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Spectrums of Love: Examining the Relationship between Romantic Motivations and Sexual Risk among Young Gay and Bisexual Men

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-011-0123-8 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 1549-1559 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

José A. Bauermeister ◽

Ana Ventuneac ◽

Emily Pingel ◽

Jeffrey T. Parsons

Keyword(s):

Sexual Risk ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

And Bisexual ◽

The Relationship

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Mental Health Concerns of HIV-Infected Gay and Bisexual Men Seeking Mental Health Services: An Observational Study

AIDS Patient Care and STDs ◽

10.1089/apc.2004.18.635 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 635-643 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Michael B. Berg ◽

Matthew J. Mimiaga ◽

Steven A. Safren

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Observational Study ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Health Concerns ◽

Mental Health Concerns ◽

And Bisexual

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Perceived Importance of Five Different Health Issues for Gay and Bisexual Men

American Journal of Men s Health ◽

10.1177/1557988312463419 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 274-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Christian Grov ◽

Ana Ventuneac ◽

H. Jonathon Rendina ◽

Ruben H. Jimenez ◽

Jeffrey T. Parsons

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Hiv Prevention ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Smart Device ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Health Issues ◽

Drugs And Alcohol ◽

Time Space ◽

Perceived Importance ◽

And Bisexual

This study assessed the perceived importance of five health issues for gay and bisexual men ( N = 660) using time-space sampling in gay bars/clubs and bathhouses in New York City: “HIV & STDs,” “Drugs & Alcohol,” “Body Image,” “Mental Health,” and “Smoking.” This study compared ratings based on demographic differences, recent substance use, recent sexual risk behavior, and whether or not participants owned a smart device (e.g., “smart” phone, iPad, iPod touch). Contrary to research indicating that gay and bisexual men may be experiencing HIV prevention fatigue, this study identified that HIV and STIs were perceived as most important. Drugs and alcohol and mental health were also rated high, suggesting that providers may be well served to include mental health and drugs and alcohol as part of their comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. A majority of participants (72%) owned a smart device. Smart device owners rated health issues similarly to those who did not, suggesting that such devices may be a useful platform to reach gay and bisexual men for health education and prevention.

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