scholarly journals The Influence of Companion Animals on Quality of Life of Gay and Bisexual Men Diagnosed with Prostate Cancer

Author(s):  
Morgan M. Wright ◽  
Pamela Schreiner ◽  
B. R. Simon Rosser ◽  
Elizabeth J. Polter ◽  
Darryl Mitteldorf ◽  
...  

There has been almost no research on associations of companion animals with quality of life in sexual minorities. Because gay and bisexual men have less social support than their heterosexual peers, some have argued that pet companionship could provide emotional support, while others have argued the opposite, that having a pet is another stressor. This analysis examines the association between having dogs, cats, both animals, or no animals and quality of life using the 12-item Short Form (SF-12) mental and physical composite quality of life scores for gay and bisexual prostate cancer survivors, post-treatment. Participants were 189 gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men, who completed online surveys in 2015. Linear regression analysis found that participants with cats and participants with dogs had lower mental quality of life scores than participants without pets. After adjustment for covariates, mental health scores remained significantly lower for cat owners, dog owners, and owners of both animals compared to those of participants who did not have pets. No differences were seen for physical quality of life scores after adjustment. We conclude that pet companionship may be a net stressor for gay and bisexual men following prostate cancer treatment. As this is the first study of pet companionship in sexual minorities, further research is needed to confirm the reliability of these findings, generalizability, and temporality of the association.

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Capistrant ◽  
Lindsey Lesher ◽  
Nidhi Kohli ◽  
Enyinnaya Merengwa ◽  
Badrinath Konety ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 100439
Author(s):  
Ryan Haggart ◽  
Elizabeth Polter ◽  
Michael Ross ◽  
Nidhi Kohli ◽  
Badrinath R. Konety ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (2) ◽  
pp. 198-213
Author(s):  
Henrique Pereira ◽  
Brian de Vries ◽  
Juan Pedro Serrano ◽  
Rosa Marina Afonso ◽  
Graça Esgalhado ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was to assess levels of depressive symptoms and quality of life in older gay and bisexual older Spanish and Portuguese men and explore associations between these two samples and these variables. Using online surveys, 191 older gay and bisexual men from Spain and Portugal (mean age = 70 years) completed the Spanish and Portuguese versions of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale and World Health Organization Instrument to Assess Quality of Life. Overall, moderate levels of depression and quality of life were found. Gay men and Spanish men report higher levels of depressive symptoms than bisexual and Portuguese men. Gay men score higher on physical health dimensions; bisexual men score higher on the social relationships dimension. Lower levels of physical health, psychological symptoms, and social relationships were significant predictors of depressive symptoms. These exploratory findings offer both similarities and differences between the samples from the two countries—and with U.S. data—and further evidence of the pervasive experience of depression in the lives of sexual minority older men with a renewed awareness of myriad contexts within which individuals age.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (10) ◽  
pp. 1447-1470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olakunle A. Oginni ◽  
Boladale M. Mapayi ◽  
Olusegun T. Afolabi ◽  
Chukwubueze Obiajunwa ◽  
Ibidunni O. Oloniniyi

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 155798831986477
Author(s):  
Guangju Wen ◽  
Lijun Zheng

The aim of this study was to examine the influences of internalized homophobia on Chinese gay and bisexual men’s quality of life and life satisfaction. Four hundred and eighty-three participants completed the Internalized Homophobia Scale, Chinese SF-12 Health Survey Version 2, and Satisfaction With Life Scale via the Internet. Scores for quality of life in several domains and life satisfaction were significantly lower than the heterosexuals’ norm scores. The present study revealed that internalized homophobia significantly negatively correlated with the mental component summary score and life satisfaction. The mental component summary score mediated the relationship between internalized homophobia and life satisfaction. Sexual orientation moderated the relationship between internalized homophobia and mental component score. Gay and bisexual men in China experience poorer quality of life and less satisfaction with life compared to heterosexuals, and internalized homophobia contributes to both.


2019 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregg A. Stevens

This volume of essays and research studies shows, a major disparity exists in the quality of care and information received by gay and bisexual men who are living with prostate cancer.


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