Experiences of Discrimination and Their Impact on the Mental Health Among African American, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract

Objectives We examined the associations between specific types and sources of discrimination and mental health outcomes among U.S. racial/ethnic minority men who have sex with men (MSM) and how these associations vary by race/ethnicity. Methods A chain-referral sample of 403 African American, 393 Asian and Pacific Islander (API), and 400 Latino MSM recruited in Los Angeles County, CA completed a standardized questionnaire. Results Past-year experiences of racism within the general community and perceived homophobia among heterosexual friends were positively associated with depression and anxiety. Past-year homophobia experienced within the general community was also positively associated with anxiety. These statistically significant associations did not vary across racial/ethnic groups. The positive association of perceived racism within the gay community with anxiety differed by race/ethnicity, and was statistically significant only for APIs. Perceived homophobia within the family was not associated with either depression or anxiety. Conclusions Higher levels of experiences of discrimination were associated with psychological distress among MSM of color. However, specific types and sources of discrimination were differentially linked to negative mental health outcomes among African American, API, and Latino MSM.

Social Determinants of Risk and Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease

“…Racial discrimination and other forms of discrimination that are perceived as stressful are associated with depression and anxiety. 156,168,169 Racism, discrimination, and oppression 170 in turn are associated with elevated blood pressure and markers of inflammation. In addition, a significant interaction between life-course SEP and racial discrimination in depressive symptoms has been reported.…”

The Impact of Parental Reaction to Sexual Orientation on Depressive Symptoms and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Hispanic Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…Ethnic minority MSM have unique life experiences and experiences of stigma and exclusion due to multiple social identities that elicit discriminatory reactions from within the general community, their racial/ethnic community and the mainstream gay community, which engender depressive mood (Balsam, Molina, Beadnell, Simoni and Walters, 2011; Choi, Paul, Ayala, Boylan, & Gregorich, 2013). A three-city study with a probability sample of 912 Hispanic MSM men revealed that 80% reported depressed mood and 17% reported suicidal ideation in the past 6 months, and that experiences of racial and sexual orientation discrimination predicted psychological symptoms and suicidal ideation (Diaz, Ayala, Bein, Henne, & Martin, 2001).…”

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