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

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

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-021-00597-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rachel Bush ◽

Alex M. T. Russell ◽

Petra K. Staiger ◽

Andrea Waling ◽

Nicki A. Dowling

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Problem Gambling ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Heterosexual Men ◽

Moderate Risk ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Gambling Cognitions ◽

Gambling Severity ◽

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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(Hyper) Masculinity

Out in Time ◽

10.1093/oso/9780190686604.003.0007 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 107-128

Author(s):

Perry N. Halkitis

Keyword(s):

Social Behavior ◽

Identity Development ◽

Gay Men ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Coming Out ◽

Well Being ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Sexual Roles ◽

Minority Men ◽

American Society

The identity development of gay men, their coming out, and their well-being is influenced by hypermasculinity, which permeates American society. Such conceptions of masculinity foster aggressiveness of men toward women and sexual minority men in the form of homophobia and homonegativity. Many gay men also adopt hypermasculine conceptions defining their manliness by social behavior, sexual prowess, and muscularity, a condition fueled by the heterosexism of American society. Gay men who espouse hegemonic masculinity often do so as a means of passing and covering—they stereotype sexual roles and diminish those within the population who do not adhere to these rigid gender norms. While this is evident across generations, the Queer Generation has been most vociferous in challenging the rigidity of hypermasculinity and expressing greater ease and comfort in adapting traditionally feminine attributes, representations, and behaviors. As a result a more inclusive and advanced conception of what it means to be a man is evidenced in younger gay men.

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Community norms of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among cisgender sexual minority men and women

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03302-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Jason M. Nagata ◽

Emilio J. Compte ◽

Chloe J. Cattle ◽

Jason M. Lavender ◽

Tiffany A. Brown ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gay Men ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Muscle Dysmorphia ◽

Minority Populations ◽

Lesbian Women ◽

Men And Women ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Community Norms ◽

Minority Men ◽

And Bisexual

Abstract Background Representing the pathological extreme pursuit of muscularity, muscle dysmorphia (MD) is characterized by a pervasive belief or fear around insufficient muscularity and an elevated drive for muscularity. Despite evidence of elevated body image-related concerns among sexual minority populations, little is known about the degree of muscle dysmorphia (MD) symptoms among sexual minorities, particularly based on Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) scores. The objective of this study was to examine the nature and severity of MD symptoms in cisgender sexual minority men and women and provide community norms of the MDDI for these populations. Methods Data from participants in The PRIDE Study, an existing study of health outcomes in sexual and gender minority people from the United States, were examined. Participants included cisgender gay men (N = 1090), cisgender bisexual plus (bisexual, pansexual, and/or polysexual) men (N = 100), cisgender lesbian women (N = 563), and cisgender bisexual plus women (N = 507). We calculated means, standard deviations (SD), and percentiles for the MDDI total and subscale scores for cisgender sexual minority men and women. We compared MDDI scores by sexual orientation using linear regression models, both unadjusted and adjusted for sociodemographics. Results Overall, the sample was 85.2% White, 3.0% Asian or Pacific Islander, 2.0% Black, 0.5% Native American, 3.9% multiracial, and 6.6% Hispanic/Latino/a. The mean age was 38.6 (SD = 14.3) and 69.4% had a college degree or higher. Means (SD) for the MDDI total score were 27.4 (7.7) for cisgender gay men, 26.4 (6.4) for cisgender bisexual plus men, 24.3 (6.1) for cisgender lesbian women, and 24.6 (5.5) for cisgender bisexual plus women. There were no significant differences in MDDI scores between cisgender gay and bisexual plus men, or between cisgender lesbian women and bisexual plus women in unadjusted or adjusted models. Conclusions These normative data provide insights into the experience of MD symptoms among cisgender sexual minority men and women and can aid researchers and clinicians in the evaluation of MD symptoms and interpretation of MDDI scores in sexual minority populations.

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Estimating the Roles of Racism and Homophobia in HIV Testing Among Black Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women With a History of Incarceration in the HPTN 061 Cohort

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2021.33.2.143 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 143-157

Author(s):

Rodman Turpin ◽

Maria Khan ◽

Joy Scheidell ◽

Jonathan Feelemyer ◽

Christopher Hucks-Ortiz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Positive Interactions ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Interaction Terms ◽

Treatment And Prevention ◽

History Of ◽

Minority Men ◽

Prevalence Ratios

Black sexual minority men (BSMM) and Black transgender women (BTW) have disproportionately high HIV prevalence, making HIV testing critical for treatment and prevention. Racism and homophobia may be barriers to testing among BSMM/BTW, particularly in the context of previous incarceration. We analyzed a subsample (n = 655) of HIV-negative, previously incarcerated BSMM/BTW in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 study, generating prevalence ratios and interaction terms testing associations between experienced racism and homophobia with past-year HIV testing. Both racism (aPR = 0.83, 95% CI [0.70, 0.98]) and homophobia (aPR: 0.68, 95% CI [0.48, 0.98]) were associated with lower testing, although their interaction was associated with unexpectedly higher testing (Interaction aPR = 1.77, 95% CI [1.25, 2.49]). Among BSMM/BTW with a history of incarceration, racism and homophobia are barriers to HIV testing. Positive interactions between racism and homophobia could be explained by numerous factors (e.g., resilience, coping) and warrants further study.

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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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Differential Effects of State Policy Environments on Substance Use by Sexual Identity: Findings From the 2000–2015 National Alcohol Surveys

Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health ◽

10.1891/lgbtq-2020-0029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 53-71

Author(s):

Laurie A. Drabble ◽

Amy A. Mericle ◽

Walter Gómez ◽

Jamie L. Klinger ◽

Karen F. Trocki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Sexual Identity ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

State Policy ◽

High Intensity ◽

Marijuana Use ◽

Minority Status ◽

Men And Women ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men

Introduction: This study explored whether structural stigma, defined by U.S. state policies related to sexual minority rights, moderated the relationship between sexual identity identity and heavy drinking, alcohol problems, and marijuana use among men and women. Methods: Using combined data from the National Alcohol Survey (NAS) series (2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015), the sample included 11,115 men (421 sexual minority and 10,694 heterosexual) and 14,395 women (413 sexual minority and 13,982 heterosexual). State policy environment was assessed using a time-varying dichotomous indicator of comprehensive protections for sexual minorities (4–6 protections vs. limited or no protections). Gender-stratified logistic regression analyses examined the differential effect of the policy environment by sexual identity on three past-year substance use outcomes: high-intensity drinking (8+ drinks/day), any DSM-5 alcohol use disorder, and marijuana use. Results: Among women, sexual minority status was associated with increased odds of all alcohol and marijuana use outcomes. Among men, sexual minority status was associated with decreased odds of high-intensity drinking but increased use of marijuana. Comprehensive policy protections were associated significantly decreased odds of high-intensity drinking among sexual minority men and marginally significant decreases among women. Conclusions: Comprehensive policy protections appear to be protective for high-intensity drinking among sexual minority men and women. Findings underscore the importance of supportive policies in reducing risk of alcohol-related problems among sexual minorities.

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