The Impact of Emotional Symptoms and Family Support on the Association Between Homophobic Bullying and Sedative/Hypnotic Use among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Sedative/hypnotic use and homophobic bullying have become a big mental health concern for gay and bisexual men. However, few studies have investigated the mediators and moderators of the association between them. The current study aimed to build a conceptual model to estimate the mediating effect of emotional symptoms and the moderating effect of family support on this association among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. A total of 500 gay or bisexual men were recruited for the study. Their history of homophobic bullying, their experience of sedative/hypnotic use, their perceived family support, and their current emotional symptoms were evaluated using self-reporting questionnaires. A moderated mediation model was developed to test the mediating effect of emotional symptoms and the moderating effect of family support. A higher level of homophobic bullying was significantly associated with sedative/hypnotic use among gay and bisexual men and this was mediated by a higher severity of emotional symptoms. A moderating effect of family support was identified, wherein the mediating effect of emotional symptoms was weaker when there was a higher level of perceived family support, thus revealing the protective effect of family support. The significant impact of emotional symptoms and family support on the association between homophobic bullying and sedative/hypnotic use was identified. Timely interventions for emotional symptoms and the enhancement of family support are crucial for gay and bisexual men.

Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Constructs of COVID-19 Health Beliefs: A Comparison Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Individuals in Taiwan

“…A previous study in Taiwan found that 38% and 32.6% of young adult gay and bisexual men reported experiences of victimization of traditional and cyber sexuality-related bullying, respectively, during childhood and adolescence [11]. Moreover, research in Taiwan has found that victimization of sexuality-related bullying during childhood and adolescence increased the risks of depression [12], anxiety [12], suicide [13], addictive substances [14,15], self-identity confusion [16], and low quality of life [17] in early adulthood. Hatzenbuehler (2009) provided evidence for their psychological mediation hypothesis, which stated that the aforementioned stress negatively affects the cognitive, regulatory, and social mechanisms in minorities [18].…”

Relationships of familial sexual stigma and family support with internalized homonegativity among lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals: The mediating effect of self-identity disturbance and moderating effect of gender

“…Research has shown that low family support is associated with suicidality, distress, depression, hopelessness, and substance use among LGB individuals [23,[30][31][32]. Family support also buffers the mediating effect of emotional symptoms in the association between homophobic bullying and sedative/hypnotic use among gay and bisexual men [33]. However, the findings of previous studies examining the association between family support and internalized homonegativity among LGB individuals have been mixed.…”

Relationships of Homophobic Bullying Victimization during Childhood with Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms in Early Adulthood among Gay and Bisexual Men: Mediating Effect of Depressive Symptoms and Moderating Effect of Family Support

“…LGB individuals have higher rates of suicidality [59,60], addictive substances use [61,62], problematic internet and smartphone use [63], poor quality of life [64,65], depression [66], and psychological inflexibility [67] compared with heterosexual ones in Taiwan. Therefore, mental health is an important issue warranted further study among LGB individuals in Taiwan.…”