Multi-Dimensional Factors Associated with Illegal Substance Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan

Illegal substance use in sexual minorities is an important health issue worldwide. The present cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the multi-dimensional factors associated with illegal substance use among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. This questionnaire-survey study recruited 500 gay or bisexual men aged between 20 and 25 years. Their experiences of using eight kinds of illegal substances in the preceding month were collected. Their previous experiences of homophobic bullying, satisfaction with academic performance, truancy, perceived family and peer support in childhood and adolescence, and social-demographic characteristics, were also collected. Potential factors associated with illegal substance use were identified using univariate logistic regression, and further selected into a forward stepwise logistic regression model to identify the factors most significantly related to illegal substance use. A total of 22 (4.4%) participants reported illegal substance use in the preceding month, and mean age was 22.9 ± 1.6. Forward stepwise logistic regression revealed that being victims of homophobic cyberbullying in childhood and adolescence (odds ratio (OR) = 1.26; p = 0.011), disclosure of sexual orientation at junior high school (OR = 4.67; p = 0.001), and missing classes or truancy in senior high school (OR = 2.52; p = 0.041) were significantly associated with illegal substance use in early adulthood. Multi-dimensional factors in childhood and adolescence that were significantly associated with illegal substance use in early adulthood among gay and bisexual men were identified. Besides traditional bullying, the effect of cyberbullying and school performance on illegal substance use should not be ignored. This study is limited to the cross-sectional design and possible recall bias. Mental health professionals must routinely assess these significant factors to prevent and intervene in illegal substance use among gay and bisexual men.

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Factors Affecting Painkillers, Sedatives/Hypnotics, Nicotine, and Unhealthy Alcohol Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17030851 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 851 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dian-Jeng Li ◽

Shiou-Lan Chen ◽

Yu-Ping Chang ◽

Cheng-Fang Yen

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Alcohol Use ◽

Early Adulthood ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Unhealthy Alcohol Use ◽

Unhealthy Alcohol ◽

Homophobic Bullying ◽

And Bisexual

Substance use has become a major health problem globally for sexual minorities. However, few studies have explored multi-dimensional factors associated with smoking, drinking, and prescription drug use. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting painkiller, sedative/hypnotic, nicotine and unhealthy alcohol use among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. We recruited 500 gay or bisexual men and assessed their experiences of using painkillers, sedatives/hypnotics, nicotine, alcohol and multi-dimensional factors with self-reported questionnaires. Multivariate logistic regression with a forward stepwise model was used to verify the factors associated with substance use. Overall, 9.4%, 5.4%, and 13.8% of the participants reported using painkillers, sedatives/hypnotics, and nicotine, respectively, and 5.6% reported unhealthy alcohol use. Victims of traditional homophobic bullying in childhood and adolescence were more likely to report nicotine use, sedative/hypnotic use, and unhealthy alcohol use in early adulthood than non-victims. Missing classes or truancy at senior high school was associated with painkiller and sedative/hypnotic use in early adulthood. Traditional homophobic bullying and missing classes or truancy in childhood and adolescence predicted substance use in early adulthood among the gay and bisexual men in this study. Timely preventions and interventions for substance use are crucial for gay and bisexual men, especially for those who experience homophobic bullying and missing classes or truancy.

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Mediating Effects of Emotional Symptoms on the Association between Homophobic Bullying Victimization and Problematic Internet/Smartphone Use among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17103386 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (10) ◽

pp. 3386 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dian-Jeng Li ◽

Yu-Ping Chang ◽

Yi-Lung Chen ◽

Cheng-Fang Yen

Keyword(s):

Early Adulthood ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Mediating Effect ◽

Bullying Victimization ◽

Childhood And Adolescence ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Emotional Symptoms ◽

Homophobic Bullying ◽

Smartphone Use ◽

And Bisexual

Problematic internet/smartphone use (PI/SU) and homophobic bullying has become a new type of mental health problem among sexual minorities. However, few studies have investigated the mediators of the association between these factors. We aimed to develop a model to estimate the mediating effect of emotional symptoms, including depression and anxiety, on this association among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. In total, 500 gay or bisexual men in early adulthood were recruited, and their histories of homophobic bullying victimization during childhood and adolescence, current severity of PI/SU, and current emotional symptoms were evaluated using self-administered questionnaires. A mediation model was developed to test the mediating effect of emotional symptoms on the association between homophobic bullying victimization and PI/SU. In total, 190 (38%) and 201 (40.2%) of the participants had experiences of traditional and cyber homophobic bullying victimization, respectively. A higher level of homophobic bullying victimization was significantly associated with a more severe level of PI/SU, and this was mediated by a higher severity of emotional symptoms. There was a significant effect of emotional symptoms on the association between homophobic bullying victimization and PI/SU. Timely interventions for emotional symptoms are necessary for gay and bisexual men, especially for those who are victims of homophobic bullying.

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Combination prevention and HIV: a cross-sectional community survey of gay and bisexual men in London, October to December 2016

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2019.24.25.1800312 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 24 (25) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Louise Logan ◽

Ibidun Fakoya ◽

Alison Howarth ◽

Gary Murphy ◽

Anne M Johnson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Testing ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Combination Prevention ◽

Factors Associated ◽

The Past ◽

Increased Risk ◽

And Bisexual

Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk of HIV and are an important population to monitor and ameliorate combination prevention efforts. Aim To estimate HIV prevalence and identify factors associated with frequent HIV testing (≥ 2 HIV tests in the last year) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among MSM in London. Methods For this cross-sectional study, MSM recruited from 22 social venues provided oral-fluid samples for anonymous HIV antibody (Ab) testing and completed a questionnaire. Factors associated with frequent HIV testing and PrEP use were identified through logistic regression. Results Of 767 men recruited, 545 provided an eligible oral specimen. Among these, 38 MSM (7.0%) were anti-HIV positive including five (13.2%; 5/38) who reported their status as negative. Condomless anal sex within the previous 3 months was reported by 60.1% (412/685) men. Frequent HIV testing was associated with, in the past year, a reported sexually transmitted infection (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.05; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.66–9.58) or ≥ 2 casual condomless partners (AOR 2–4 partners: 3.65 (95% CI: 1.87–7.10); AOR 5–10 partners: 3.34 (95% CI: 1.32–8.49). Age ≥ 35 years was related to less frequent HIV testing (AOR 35–44 years: 0.34 (95% CI: 0.16–0.72); AOR ≥ 45 years: 0.29 (95% CI: 0.12–0.69). PrEP use in the past year was reported by 6.2% (46/744) of MSM and associated with ≥ 2 casual condomless sex partners (AOR: 2.86; 95% CI: 1.17–6.98) or chemsex (AOR: 2.31; 95% CI: 1.09–4.91). Conclusion This bio-behavioural study of MSM found high rates of behaviours associated with increased risk of HIV transmission. Combination prevention, including frequent HIV testing and use of PrEP, remains crucial in London.

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Cross-sectional study of sexual behaviour and health of gay and bisexual men in suburban Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: contrasts between sex venue and clinic attendees

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh20196 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Catriona Ooi ◽

Basil Donovan ◽

David A. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Sexual Behaviour ◽

New South ◽

New South Wales ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

South Wales ◽

And Bisexual

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Childhood sexual abuse and sexual dysfunction in gay and bisexual men: the role of substance use, emotion dysregulation, and coping strategies.

10.32920/ryerson.14651898.v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Marie Faaborg-Andersen

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Substance Use ◽

Erectile Dysfunction ◽

Childhood Sexual Abuse ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Coping Strategies ◽

Emotion Dysregulation ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

And Bisexual

Sexual dysfunction has been associated with considerable mental health and interpersonal problems. Gay and bisexual men report a higher rate of sexual dysfunction and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) compared to heterosexual men. The relationship between CSA and adult sexual health problems has been well established; however, the pathways leading from CSA to erectile dysfunction are poorly understood. The role that coping strategies, emotion dysregulation, and substance use play in the association between CSA and erectile dysfunction was examined using a mediational model. Results were not found to be statistically significant, with the exception of a significant relationship between CSA and avoidant coping. Possible explanations for the lack of significant findings are discussed, including problems with the measurement of ED. This study provided support for the disproportionately high rates of CSA among gay men.

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