Does Socio-structural Context Matter? A Multilevel Test of Sexual Minority Stigma and Depressive Symptoms in Four Asia-Pacific Countries

2019 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 416-433
Author(s):  
Stephanie Spaid Miedema ◽  
Regine Haardörfer ◽  
Corey L. M. Keyes ◽  
Kathryn M. Yount
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Sexual Stigma ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Cluster Unit

In the Asia-Pacific region, individual sexual stigma contributes to elevated rates of depression among sexual minority men. Less well understood is the role of socio-structural sexual stigma despite evidence that social context influences the experience of stigma. We use data from the United Nations Multi-country Study on Men and Violence to conduct a multilevel test of associations between individual- and cluster unit–level indicators of sexual stigma and depressive symptoms among sexual minority men ( n = 562). In the full model, individual-level sexual stigma is not associated with depressive symptoms, although there is significant variation in the association between individual stigma and depressive symptoms across clusters. Contrary to expectation, at the community level, homophobic injunctive norms are negatively associated with depressive symptoms. We discuss the implications for policies, programs, and future research to improve mental health among sexual minority men in the region.

scholarly journals Depressive Symptoms among Latino Sexual Minority Men and Latina Transgender Women in a New Settlement State: The Role of Perceived Discrimination

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina J. Sun ◽  
Alice Ma ◽  
Amanda E. Tanner ◽  
Lilli Mann ◽  
Beth A. Reboussin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Perceived Discrimination ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Sexual Discrimination ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Clinically Significant

Background.Little is known about the role of discrimination on depression among Latino sexual and gender identity minorities. This manuscript examined the relationship between ethnic/racial discrimination and sexual discrimination on clinically significant depressive symptoms among Latino sexual minority men (i.e., gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men) and Latina transgender women.Methods.A community-based participatory research partnership recruited participants (N= 186; 80.6% cisgender men) in North Carolina to a social network-based HIV intervention. Using baseline data, we quantified the amount of perceived discrimination and conducted mixed-effects logistic regression analyses to examine correlates of clinically significant depressive symptoms.Results.A high percentage of participants reported ethnic/racial discrimination (73.7%) and sexual discrimination (53.8%). In the multivariable models, ethnic/racial discrimination, sexual discrimination, masculinity, fatalism, and social support were significantly associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms.Discussion.Improving mental health requires multilevel interventions that address pertinent individual, interpersonal, and system level factors.

scholarly journals Geosocial Networking Apps Use Among Sexual Minority Men in Ecuador: An Exploratory Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Hermosa-Bosano ◽  
Paula Hidalgo-Andrade ◽  
Clara Paz
Keyword(s):  
Latin American ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Geosocial Networking ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Geosocial Networking Apps ◽  
Latin American Countries

AbstractGeosocial networking applications (GSN apps) have become important socialization contexts for sexual minority men (SMM). Despite their popularity, there is limited research carried out in Latin American countries and no single previous study done in Ecuador. To fill this gap, this exploratory study described and analyzed the relationships between the sociodemographic characteristics of SMM using GSN apps, their sought and fulfilled expectations, profile shared and sought characteristics, and the evaluation of their experiences as users including their perceptions of support, and discrimination. We used an online recruited sample of 303 participants enrolled between November 2019 and January 2020. Most respondents used Grindr and reported spending up to 3 h per day using apps. Most common sought expectations were getting distracted, meeting new friends, and meeting people for sexual encounters. The least met expectation was meeting someone to build a romantic relationship with. When asked about their profiles, participants reported sharing mainly their age, photographs, and sexual role. Participants also prioritized these characteristics when looking at others’ profiles. When asked about their experiences, most reported having been discriminated against, weight being the main reason for it. Some participants also indicated having received emotional support from other users. Correlation analyses indicated significant but weak relationships among the variables. Results indicated a positive correlation between time as an active GSN app user and higher experiences of discrimination. Likewise, higher number of used apps related positively with levels of received support. These results provide information that could inform future research in the country and the region regarding GSN apps use among SMM, socialization practices, and modern dating tools.

Refining POSSIBLE: A Multicomponent Intervention to Increase HIV Risk Perceptions and PrEP Initiation Among Black Sexual Minority Men (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek Dangerfield ◽  
Janeane N. Anderson ◽  
Charleen Wylie ◽  
Renata Arrington-Sanders ◽  
Ricky N. Bluthenthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Self Monitoring ◽  
Hiv Prevention Intervention ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Increased HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation is urgently needed to substantially decrease the incidence among Black sexual minority men (BSMM). However, BSMM are less likely than other groups to accept a clinician’s recommendation to initiate PrEP and uptake remains suboptimal. Peers and smartphone apps are popular HIV prevention-intervention mechanisms that are typically used independently. Few studies have combined these strategies into a multi-component intervention to increase PrEP initiation for BSMM. OBJECTIVE This study refined an intervention using a smartphone app and a peer change agent (PCA) to increase HIV risk perceptions (HRP) and PrEP initiation among BSMM. METHODS Data were obtained from 12 focus groups and one in-depth interview among BSMM from Baltimore, MD, between October 2019 and May 2020 (N=39). Groups were stratified by age group: 18-24, 25-34, and 35 and older. Facilitators probed on attitudes towards the app, working with a PCA, and preferences for PCA characteristics. RESULTS Most self-identified as homosexual, gay, or same gender-loving (68%), were employed (69%), single (66%), and interested in self-monitoring sexual behaviors (68.4%). Overall, participants had low HRP and suggested that self-monitoring sexual behaviors could trigger internalized stigma. An acceptable PCA should be a “possible self” for BSMM to aspire. CONCLUSIONS Future research should explore the impact of implementing this strategy on HRP and PrEP initiation among BSMM.

Evidence-Based Approaches to HIV-Positive Sexual Minority Men’s Sexual Health

2019 ◽  
pp. 339-358
Author(s):  
Audrey Harkness ◽  
Steven A. Safren
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Viral Load Suppression ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
State Of Research

This chapter reviews the current state of research and theory regarding evidence-based sexual health interventions for HIV-positive sexual minority men. Among HIV-positive sexual minority men, sexual health promotion includes reducing sexual behavior that could lead to HIV transmission, increasing adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) medication to attain viral load suppression, and addressing psychosocial and contextual factors that impact both of these health behaviors. The chapter reviews evidence-based behavioral approaches to promote sexual minority men’s sexual health, including those focused on increasing condom use, reducing sexual risk, and improving communication about HIV status. It also discusses interventions to improve ART adherence, which promote HIV-positive sexual minority men’s personal health and serve as a secondary prevention intervention via reducing transmissibility. The chapter concludes with an illustration of an evidence-based intervention with an HIV-positive client. Overarching clinical implications and areas for future research regarding HIV-positive sexual minority men’s sexual health are also discussed.

scholarly journals Racial Discrimination, Sexual Partner Race/Ethnicity, and Depressive Symptoms Among Black Sexual Minority Men

2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1799-1809
Author(s):  
Devin English ◽  
DeMarc A. Hickson ◽  
Denton Callander ◽  
Melody S. Goodman ◽  
Dustin T. Duncan
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Racial Discrimination ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Sexual Partner ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Minority Men

scholarly journals Exploring the role of LGBT-affirming churches in health promotion for Black sexual minority men

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1191-1206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan J. White ◽  
Derek T. Dangerfield ◽  
Erin Donovan ◽  
Derek Miller ◽  
Suzanne M. Grieb
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men

scholarly journals The Prevalence of Sexual Violence Perpetration in Sexual Minority Men: A Secondary Analysis of Systematic Review Data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
RaeAnn Elizabeth Anderson ◽  
Sara K Kuhn ◽  
Amanda M. Vitale ◽  
Alyssa M. Ciampaglia ◽  
Kristin E. Silver
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Secondary Analysis ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Sexual Perpetration ◽  
Violence Perpetration ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Minority People

Purpose: Prior literature illustrates that sexual minority people (e.g., bisexual, gay, queer) are at increased vulnerability for sexual violence victimization compared to heterosexual peers, including while in college. However, the study of sexual violence perpetration in sexual minority populations, much less specifically sexual minority college men, has been neglected. This article reviews the literature and presents a secondary data analysis of a systematic review on college men’s sexual perpetration rates and associated methodology. We also conducted analyses to summarize available literature regarding publishing dates, authors, and data inclusivity. Methods: We downloaded the dataset and associated materials from Mendeley.com’s data archive. Results: To our surprise, we could not analyze sexual perpetration prevalence rates in sexual minority men using the systematic review data due to absence of reported data across all 77 independent samples including over 5,500 male participants. We found no significant relationship between inclusion of sexual minority men and the use of measurement strategies specialized to assess sexual minority needs. We did find a positive relationship between recency of publication and the inclusion of sexual minority men, r(76) = .24, p = .03, and that most authors/co-authors were women (72%). Conclusions: Preventing perpetration is central to ending sexual violence; therefore, future research should include sexual minority people and use appropriate methodology in the investigation of sexual perpetration characteristics and patterns.

scholarly journals The moderating role of resilience resources in the association between crime exposure and substance use among young sexual minority men

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (11) ◽  
pp. 1787-1798
Author(s):  
Kristi E. Gamarel ◽  
Kimberly M. Nelson ◽  
Justin Heinze ◽  
Danielle M. Chiaramonte ◽  
Robin L. Miller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Moderating Role

scholarly journals “I Do Not Like Being Me”: the Impact of Self-hate on Increased Risky Sexual Behavior in Sexual Minority People

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Rosaria Nappa ◽  
Maria Giuseppina Bartolo ◽  
Jessica Pistella ◽  
Nicola Petrocchi ◽  
Angela Costabile ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Minority Participants ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Minority People

Abstract Background  Increased risky sexual behaviors (RSB) in sexual minority people relative to heterosexual individuals are well documented. However, the role of trans-diagnostic factors that are not sexual orientation-specific, such as self-criticism, in predicting RSB was understudied. The present study aimed to test participants’ gender and sexual orientation as moderators between self-criticism and RSB. Methods Data were collected during 2019. The total sample included 986 sexual minority people (Nwomen = 51%) and 853 heterosexual people (Nwomen = 46%), ranging from 18 to 35 years of age. Self-criticism dimensions (self-hate, self-inadequacy, self-reassurance), types of positive affect (relaxed, safe/content, and activated affect), and RSB were assessed. Bivariate, multivariate analyses, and moderated regression analyses were conducted. Results Sexual minority participants showed higher levels of RSB, self-hate, and self-inadequacy than heterosexual people. Only in sexual minority men, RSB correlated positively with self-hate and negatively with safe/content positive affect. Moderated regressions showed that only for sexual minority participants, higher RSB were predicted by higher levels of self-hate. At the same time, this association was not significant for heterosexual people controlling the effects of age, presence of a stable relationship, other self-criticism dimensions, and activation safe/content affect scale. The two-way interaction between sexual orientation and gender was significant, showing that regardless of self-hate, the strength of the association between sexual orientation and RSB is stronger for sexual minority men than sexual minority women and heterosexual participants. Conclusions Findings highlight the distinctive role of self-hate in the occurrence of RSB in sexual minority people and support the usefulness of developing a compassion-focused intervention to target self-hate in sexual minority people.

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