1. Homoprejudiced Violence Experiences and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men: Depression Severity and Recreational Drug Usage as Potential Mediators
- Author
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Yan, Xumeng, Ni, Yuxin, Lu, Ying, Wang, Qianyun, Tang, Weiming, Tan, Rayner Kay Jin, Tucker, Joseph D, Hall, Brian J, Baral, Stefan, Song, Huan, Zhou, Yi, and Wu, Dan
- Subjects
Clinical and Health Psychology ,Social and Personality Psychology ,Human Society ,Psychology ,Gender Studies ,Depression ,Behavioral and Social Science ,Prevention ,Clinical Research ,Sexual and Gender Minorities (SGM/LGBT*) ,Sexually Transmitted Infections ,Mental Health ,Violence Research ,3.1 Primary prevention interventions to modify behaviours or promote wellbeing ,Aetiology ,2.3 Psychological ,social and economic factors ,Prevention of disease and conditions ,and promotion of well-being ,Mental health ,Infection ,Peace ,Justice and Strong Institutions ,Good Health and Well Being ,Homoprejudiced violence ,Recreational drug usage ,High-risk sexual behaviors ,Men who have sex with men ,Sexual orientation ,Public Health and Health Services ,Other Studies in Human Society ,Clinical Psychology ,Gender studies ,Clinical and health psychology ,Social and personality psychology - Abstract
Homoprejudiced violence is a type of aggression against an individual or a community based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation. It may be linked to risks of acquiring HIV/STI via psychosocial variables. This study explored the association between homoprejudiced violence experiences and high-risk sexual behaviors, and potential psychosocial mediators. Using cross-sectional survey data collected in China through Blued among men who have sex with men (MSM) in January 2021, this study conducted multiple mediation analyses. Standard instruments were used to collect data on depressive symptoms in the last two weeks (PHQ-9), recreational drug usage in the last three months, and ever experiencing homoprejudiced violence (12-item survey instrument). Dependent variables were having condomless anal sex and having three or more sexual partners in the last three months. Among 1828 MSM, nearly half (847, 46%) had experienced homoprejudiced violence. Twenty-three percent (427) reached a score that suggested moderate or severe depression and 35% (644) had used recreational drugs. In the last three months, 40% (731) had condomless anal sex and 34% (626) had three or more sexual partners. The indirect mediational coefficients through depression on condomless anal sex and multiple sexual partners were 0.04 (95% CI: [0.02, 0.07]) and 0.02 (95% CI: [0.001, 0.05]), respectively. The indirect mediational coefficient of homoprejudiced violence experience on multiple sexual partners through recreational drug use was 0.05 (95% CI: [0.03, 0.08]). These findings suggest that more comprehensive interventions are needed to address the syndemic of homoprejudiced violence, mental health issues, and HIV/STI-related risks.
- Published
- 2024