Risk and protective factors for the development of gambling-related harms and problems among Australian sexual minority men

Abstract Background Sexual minority men (SMM) often experience stressful social environments dominated by stigma and discrimination. SMM are typically more likely than heterosexual men to engage in certain risky behaviours such as problem gambling. This study aimed to compare gambling behaviour among SMM and examine potential risk factors (erroneous gambling cognitions, gambling outcome expectancies, hazardous alcohol use, impulsivity, and psychological distress; as well as perceived stigma and discrimination for the SMM participants) and potential protective factors (resilience, social support, and community connectedness) for problem gambling severity and gambling-related harms among SMM living in Australia. Methods An online survey, with an over-representation of SMM participants and problem, moderate-risk, and low-risk gamblers, was completed by 101 SMM (mean age = 28.5) and 207 heterosexual men (mean age = 26.4). Results SMM were found to have significantly lower levels of problem gambling severity compared with heterosexual men, and report significantly lower gambling participation, frequencies and expenditure on any gambling activity, casino table games, horse racing/greyhound betting, sports betting, and keno. However, in the SMM group, 38.3% were classified in the problem gambling category of the Problem Gambling Severity Index and 27.6% were classified in the moderate-risk gambling category. There were no significant differences between groups in gambling-related harms. Multiple regression analyses revealed that problem gambling severity and related harms were independently predicted by higher levels of impulsivity and erroneous gambling cognitions for both groups. Conclusions Lower frequency of gambling behaviours among SMM and similar risk factors predicting problem gambling severity/harms for both groups suggests that problem gambling is not pronounced among SMM. This study adds new evidence to the gambling literature which can be used as comparative benchmarks for future research.

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Sexual Minority Status & Interpersonal Victimization in College Men

10.31219/osf.io/rd4u2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

RaeAnn Anderson ◽

Rachel L. Wandrey ◽

Samuel C. Klossner ◽

Shawn P Cahill ◽

Douglas L. Delahanty

Keyword(s):

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Aggression ◽

Sexual Victimization ◽

College Men ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Heterosexual Men ◽

Minority Status ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men ◽

Rape Empathy

Sexual minority men are at increased risk for sexual victimization at all ages compared to heterosexual men; yet, most research on victimization focuses on the experiences of heterosexual women. This study compares the rates of multiple forms of interpersonal violence (violence perpetrated by another person) in a sample of sexual minority status college men and heterosexual men on campus. Participants (n = 53 sexual minority men, n = 364 heterosexual) completed an anonymous web survey containing measures of childhood abuse, adolescent/adult sexual victimization, adolescent/adult sexual aggression, intimate partner victimization and aggression, rape empathy, PTSD symptoms, and social desirability. ANCOVAs, covarying for demographic characteristics and social desirability, revealed that sexual minority men were more likely to experience the most severe forms of adolescent/adult sexual victimization as well as childhood emotional abuse. There were no differences in rates of sexual aggression or intimate partner violence. Sexual minority men who experienced sexual assault were more likely to report being assaulted by other men than were heterosexual men. Regarding self-reported sexual aggression, we found no differences in rates of sexual aggression. Sexual minority men had higher levels of rape empathy and rape acknowledgment than heterosexual men. Our results indicate sexual minority men are at higher risk than heterosexual men for the most severe forms of sexual victimization and experience different psychological consequences of sexual victimization indicating there may be a need for specialized intervention services.

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Immune compromization and disparities in cancer type among sexual minority men.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e16564 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e16564-e16564

Author(s):

Charles Kamen ◽

Arianna Aldridge Gerry ◽

Michael A. Andrykowski ◽

Oxana Palesh

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Gay Men ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Heterosexual Men ◽

Minority Status ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Lifetime History ◽

History Of ◽

Minority Men ◽

History Of Cancer

e16564 Background: Self-identified gay men are at higher risk for contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections than their heterosexual counterparts. Gay men are also at higher risk for reporting a lifetime history of cancer diagnoses. While certain types of cancers, specifically Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, are more common among gay and sexual minority men, it is yet unclear to what extent this disparity is due to immune compromization or comorbid infection with HIV. Methods: The current study utilized data from 173 gay and 5544 heterosexual men collected as part of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey conducted in 2009 in California. Items assessed lifetime history of cancer diagnosis, type of cancer, sexual minority status, and presence of a weakened immune system resulting from diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in rates and types of cancer diagnoses by sexual minority status. Logistic regression was then used to examine risk for reporting a lifetime history of cancer based on sexual minority status and accounting for a weakened immune system. Results: In this sample, rates of cancer diagnoses differed significantly between gay and heterosexual men, with gay men more likely to report diagnoses of cancer (χ2 = 4.53, p < 0.05, OR = 1.53). In addition, types of cancer diagnoses reported differed significantly between gay and heterosexual men, with gay men more likely to report diagnoses of oral cancer (1.2% vs. 0.1%; χ2 = 23.31, p < 0.001); testicular cancer (1.2% vs. 0.1%; χ2 = 9.84, p < 0.01); and “other” cancers (1.7% vs. 0.3%; χ2 = 9.11, p < 0.01). Notably, this disparity in cancer diagnoses persisted even when controlling for a weakened immune system (χ2 = 3.95, p < 0.05; OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.03 to 3.15). Conclusions: Immune system compromization accounts for some of the disparity noted between gay and heterosexual men in rates of cancer diagnoses; however, other risk factors may be implicated. Cancer screening rates for gay men should be increased, and screening physicians should specifically assess for risk factors in gay men.

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Understanding the complexities of HIV risk among sexual minority men in a global context

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckz186.527 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽

Author(s):

K Stojanovski ◽

E J King

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Complex Systems ◽

Hiv Risk ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Socioecological Model ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Individual Level ◽

Complex Systems Theory ◽

Multiple Levels ◽

Minority Men

Abstract Background Complex systems theory recognizes the intricacy of health issues and inequities, which permits the study of interrelationships across multiple levels of the socioecological model. We interrogated the research to identify upstream and downstream factors, their intersections, and recursive processes to develop a visualization of HIV risk among sexual minority men. Methods Using global HIV literature drawn from diverse disciplines and geographies, we elucidated HIV risk factors through a complex systems theory approach. We used thematic analysis to categorize HIV risk factors into different levels of the socioecological model, such as policies, community risk factors, individual behaviors, etc. We also identified the relationships between these risk factors to assess how they shaped HIV risk. The analyses were used to inform the connections between the various factors that lead to HIV risk in order to develop a visualization of the complex system, for which Stella Architecture was used. Results The thematic analysis of the literature and complex systems visualization portrays that HIV risk arises from a complex interplay of recursive and reinforcing factors ranging from policies, community factors, healthcare systems, and interpersonal relationships leading to manipulations in individual-level behaviors that put sexual minority men at risk for HIV. This visual representation indicates that HIV risk cannot simply be thought of as an individual-level factor nor simply related to sexual behaviors. Rather, HIV risk arises from upstream societal forces such as stigma, poor mental health, and health systems that relate to a multitude of downstream factors that socially pattern sexual minority men’s HIV risk. Conclusions The risk of HIV among sexual minority men stems from numerous intersecting factors across multiple levels of the socioecological model indicating the need to improve structural- and community-oriented approaches to address HIV. Key messages HIV risk arises from multiple social determinants. HIV preventions need to encompass multi-level interventions to fully address HIV risk.

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Relationship Power and Intimate Partner Violence in Sexual Minority Male Couples

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260520916271 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 088626052091627

Author(s):

Stephen C. Bosco ◽

Gabriel Robles ◽

Rob Stephenson ◽

Tyrel J. Starks

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Relationship Power ◽

Same Sex ◽

Male Couples ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Individual Family ◽

Minority Men

Objective: The objective of the present study was to test pathways implied by Disempowerment Theory to predict intimate partner violence (IPV) among men in a same-sex relationship. Background: Sexual minority men in relationships experience rates of IPV comparable with heterosexual women, yet most research on IPV focuses on heterosexual couples. Disempowerment Theory suggests that a range of individual, family-of-origin, and intimate relationship risk factors predict the use of violence to re-establish power in a relationship. Method: Data for the present study were gathered from an online survey completed by sexual minority men currently in a same-sex relationship ( n = 339). Analysis of data included two steps: (a) we tested the direct effect of individual, family, and relational predictors on the odds of IPV and (b) we calculated a path model that included relationship power as a link between the predictors (individual, family, and relational) and IPV. Results: In line with Disempowerment Theory, relationship power was negatively associated with IPV. Bivariate analysis indicated an association between childhood sexual abuse and IPV, but childhood sexual abuse was not predictive of IPV through relationship power. Other individual (depression) and relationship-specific (sexual communication and relationship satisfaction) risk factors were associated with IPV indirectly through relationship power. Conclusion: Disempowerment Theory may provide a useful framework for understanding the occurrence of IPV in sexual minority male couples. It may also provide a starting point for the development of multi-component interventions to reduce violence in these couples.

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Sexual minority orientation is associated with greater psychological impact due to the COVID-19 crisis—evidence from a longitudinal cohort study of young Swiss men

10.31234/osf.io/xg94c ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Simon Marmet ◽

Matthias Wicki ◽

Gerhard Gmel ◽

Céline Gachoud ◽

Nicolas Bertholet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Psychological Trauma ◽

Heterosexual Men ◽

Personality Dimension ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic and its countermeasures may have had a significant impact on the psychological well-being of specific population subgroups. The present study investigated whether sexual minority men from an ongoing cohort study of young Swiss men experienced different psychological impacts, levels of substance use and addictive behaviours. MethodsAn ongoing cohort sample based on the general population of young Swiss men (mean age=29.07 years; SD=1.27) was assessed before and during the COVID-19 crisis for depression, stress, sleep quality, substance use and addictive behaviours. Additionally, during the crisis, we assessed its impact in form of fear, isolation and traumatic experiences. Potential associations between these outcomes and sexual orientation (sexual minority vs heterosexual) were tested using linear regression models. ResultsCompared to heterosexual men, sexual minority men showed higher levels of psychological trauma (b=0.37 [0.25, 0.49]), fear (b=0.18 [0.06, 0.30]) and isolation (b=0.32 [0.20, 0.44]) due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as higher levels of depression (b=0.31 [0.20, 0.41]) and lower sleep quality (b=-0.13 [-0.24, -0.02]) during the crisis. These differences were to a large degree explained by higher pre-crisis levels of mental health problems and the personality dimension of neuroticism-anxiety. Sexual minority men showed higher overall levels of substance use and addictive behaviours, but these differences were already present before the crisis.ConclusionThe COVID-19 crisis may have worsened pre-existing vulnerabilities in sexual minority men, leading to its greater psychological impact on them than on heterosexual men. Services offering psychological support to sexual minorities may need to be reinforced during crises.

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Sexual Minority Orientation Is Associated With Greater Psychological Impact Due to the COVID-19 Crisis—Evidence From a Longitudinal Cohort Study of Young Swiss Men

Frontiers in Public Health ◽

10.3389/fpubh.2021.692884 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Simon Marmet ◽

Matthias Wicki ◽

Gerhard Gmel ◽

Céline Gachoud ◽

Nicolas Bertholet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Cohort Study ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Heterosexual Men ◽

Addictive Behaviors ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and its countermeasures may have had a significant impact on the psychological well-being of specific population subgroups. The present study investigated whether sexual minority men (defined here as attracted partly or exclusively to men) from an ongoing cohort study of young Swiss men experienced different psychological impacts, levels of substance use and addictive behaviors, and to which degree pre-existing vulnerabilities and participants experiences during the crisis might explain these differences.Methods: An ongoing cohort sample based on the general population of young Swiss men (mean age = 29.07 years; SD = 1.27) was assessed before and during the COVID-19 crisis for depression, stress, sleep quality, substance use and addictive behaviors. Additionally, during the crisis, we assessed its impact in form of fear, isolation and traumatic experiences. Potential associations between these outcomes and sexual orientation (sexual minority vs. heterosexual) were tested using linear regression models. It was additionally estimated to which degree these associations were attenuated if adjusted for differences in mental health, personality and socioeconomic status before the crisis, as well as the experience of the COVID-19 crisis (infection with the virus and changes to work situation).Results: Compared to heterosexual men, sexual minority men showed higher levels of psychological trauma (b = 0.37 [0.25, 0.49]), fear (b = 0.18 [0.06, 0.30]) and isolation (b = 0.32 [0.20, 0.44]) due to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as higher levels of depression (b = 0.31 [0.20, 0.41]) and lower sleep quality (b = −0.13 [−0.24, −0.02]) during the crisis. These differences were to a large degree explained by higher pre-crisis levels of mental health problems and the personality dimension of neuroticism-anxiety. Sexual minority men showed higher overall levels of substance use and addictive behaviors, but these differences were already present before the crisis.Conclusion: The COVID-19 crisis may have worsened pre-existing vulnerabilities in sexual minority men, leading to its greater psychological impact on them than on heterosexual men. Reducing minority stress due to sexual orientation may help not only to improve mental health among important proportions of the population but also to reduce their vulnerability to crises. Services offering psychological support to sexual minorities may need to be reinforced during crises.

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