Substance Use, Mental Health, HIV Testing, and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the State of Maharashtra, India

Among 433 men who have sex with men in Maharashtra, India who completed an online survey, 23% reported hazardous drinking, 12% illicit substance, and 9% polysubstance use. The overall prevalence of depression and intimate partner violence (IPV) were 58% and 56%, respectively. Participants engaging in hazardous drinking had more sexual partners and were less likely to be married to women. Participants reporting illicit substance use or polysubstance use were more likely to have been out, had more sexual partners, or experienced IPV. Those reporting illicit substance use were more likely to engage in condomless anal sex. Based on our findings, we suggest that public health interventions integrate HIV, substance use, and mental health services.

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Intimate Partner Violence and Illicit Substance Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: The Protective Role of Cognitive Reappraisal

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260519881001 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 088626051988100 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jillian R. Scheer ◽

Ethan H. Mereish

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Physical Abuse ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Cognitive Reappraisal ◽

Clinical Intervention ◽

Protective Role ◽

Illicit Substance ◽

Illicit Substance Use ◽

And Gender

Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) disproportionately experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and report illicit substance use compared with cisgender heterosexual youth. Cognitive reappraisal strategies have been shown to decrease trauma-exposed individuals’ likelihood of engaging in substance use. However, virtually no research has examined the relationship between various forms of IPV, including identity abuse, and illicit substance use, as well as the protective role of cognitive reappraisal among IPV-exposed SGMY. The current study addressed these limitations and examined cognitive reappraisal as a moderator of the associations between various IPV forms and illicit substance use among 149 SGMY (ages 18-25; 28.9% bisexual, 42.3% transgender or gender nonbinary, 45.0% racial and ethnic minority) between 2016 and 2017. Results indicated that many SGMY used cocaine in the past 6 months (24.8%), followed by hallucinogens (24.8%), stimulants (22.8%), and heroin (20.8%). More than half (62.4%) of SGMY experienced psychological abuse, 44.3% physical abuse, and 43.6% identity abuse in the past year. Cognitive reappraisal buffered the associations between two forms of IPV, identity abuse and physical abuse, and illicit substance use among SGMY, underscoring its importance for clinical intervention. Specifically, past year identity abuse and physical abuse were associated with greater illicit substance use only for SGMY with lower cognitive reappraisal, not for youth with higher cognitive reappraisal. This study adds to the burgeoning literature on identity, physical, and psychological forms of IPV and illicit substance use among SGMY. Our findings provide evidence that cognitive reappraisal strategies buffer the effect of identity abuse and physical abuse on illicit drug use among SGMY. These findings shed light on new avenues for clinical intervention that may help to reduce the prevalence of illicit substance use among IPV-exposed SGMY.

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Examining associations between COVID-19 stressors, intimate partner violence, health, and health behaviors

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/02654075211012098 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026540752110120

Author(s):

Abriana M. Gresham ◽

Brett J. Peters ◽

Gery Karantzas ◽

Linda D. Cameron ◽

Jeffry A. Simpson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Substance Use ◽

Health Behaviors ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Structural Equation ◽

Online Survey ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Equation Modeling ◽

Physical And Mental Health

The economic, social, and health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to increase the occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. IPV victimization may, in turn, contribute to physical and mental health, substance use, and social distancing behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary objective of the current study was to understand the extent to which 1) COVID-19 stressors are associated with IPV victimization and 2) IPV victimization is associated with health and health behaviors. Participants ( N = 1,813) completed an online survey between May 15 and 28, 2020 that assessed COVID-19 stressors (financial anxiety, social disconnection, health anxiety, COVID-19-specific stress), IPV victimization, physical and mental health, substance use, and movement outside of the home. Structural equation modeling indicated that greater COVID-19-related stressors were associated with greater IPV victimization during the pandemic, even after controlling for enduring vulnerabilities associated with IPV victimization. Additionally, greater IPV victimization during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with higher levels of substance use and movement outside of the home, but not poorer physical and mental health. COVID-19 stressors may have detrimental relationship effects and health implications, underscoring the need for increased IPV intervention and support services during the pandemic. Findings from the current work provide preliminary correlational evidence for a theoretical model centered on IPV victimization, rather than perpetration.

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Conducting a Mixed Methods Study to Explore Staff Perceptions in Providing Care to Individuals With Co-Occurring Mental Health Problems and Illicit Substance Use

10.4135/9781529709650 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Vickie Howard

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Health Problems ◽

Mixed Methods Study ◽

Staff Perceptions ◽

Illicit Substance ◽

Illicit Substance Use

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Tobacco, caffeine, alcohol and illicit substance use among consumers of a national community managed mental health service

Mental Health and Substance Use ◽

10.1080/17523281.2012.703225 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 287-302

Author(s):

Adam Zimmermann ◽

Dan I. Lubman ◽

Merrilee Cox

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Mental Health Service ◽

Health Service ◽

Illicit Substance ◽

National Community ◽

Illicit Substance Use

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Substance use, mental health, and life satisfaction in Czech straight and sexual-minority population

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.279 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Pitonak ◽

P Chomynová ◽

V Mravčík

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Substance Use ◽

Life Satisfaction ◽

Psychological Distress ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Minority Population ◽

Illicit Substance ◽

Illicit Substance Use ◽

Minority People

Abstract Background Evidence shows that sexual minorities are more vulnerable to substance use and psychological distress as a result of minority stress compared with heterosexuals. So far, research conducted outside North America or Western Europe has been underrepresented. This research compares for the first time the substance use, quality of mental health and life satisfaction between the sexual minority people and heterosexuals using a nationally representative probability sample in the Czech population. Methods Sample of the general population aged 15+ years surveyed within the National Survey on Substance Use in 2016 in randomly selected households (N = 3,601, F2F interviews). Prevalence of licit and illicit substance use, psychological distress (MHI-5 scale) and life satisfaction (SWLS scale) were analyzed by respondents' self-reported sexual identity and behaviors. Logistic regressions were applied to evaluate the differences between groups. Adjustment for basic sociodemographic characteristics was performed. Results 2.8% of adults identified as sexual minorities, including 0.5% lesbians or gays and 2.3% bisexuals. Sexual minorities were more likely to experiment with (illicit) substance use in the last 12 months (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.03-2.94), more often experience psychological distress (OR = 2.56, 95% CI: 1.50-4.38), and were slightly less often satisfied with their lives (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.46-1.37) compared to heterosexuals. Sexual minority status was not found as a significant predictor for daily tobacco smoking nor for frequent excessive/binge alcohol consumption. Conclusions In accordance with international evidence, sexual minorities represent a vulnerable group from the perspective of substance use and psychological distress. Factors influencing life satisfaction of sexual minority people living in geographically underrepresented regions need to be further investigated using measures more sensitive to local cultural circumstances.

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