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Mental Health Status and Associated Contributing Factors among Gay Men in China

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  • Xiaojun Liu

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Dongdong Jiang

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xiangfan Chen

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Anran Tan

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    Global Health Research Center, Duke Kunshan University, 8# Duke Road, Kunshan 215316, China)

  • Yitan Hou

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Meikun He

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

  • Yuanan Lu

    (Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, 1960 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA)

  • Zongfu Mao

    (School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China
    Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, 115# Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, China)

Abstract

Chinese gay men are preferentially vulnerable to mental health problems because of deep-rooted, traditional social influence that overemphasizes heterosexual marriage, fertility, and filial piety. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November to December 2017 using the Chinese version of the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) to assess the status of, and factors associated with the mental health of Chinese gay men. Unadjusted associations between demographic factors and the total score of SCL-90-R were examined using t / F tests or person correlation analysis. The main factors that were most predictive of the aggregate score of SCL-90-R were identified by multiple linear regressions. A total of 367 gay men participated in this survey with an average score of SCL-90-R of 180.78 ± 79.58. The scores of seven dimensions (OCS, INTS, DEPR, ANX, HOS, PHOA, PARI) for Chinese gay men were found to be significantly higher than the national norm (all p < 0.001). Age (B = −1.088, SE = 0.478, p = 0.023), educational level (B = −14.053, SE = 5.270, p = 0.008), and degree of coming out publicly (B = −23.750, SE = 4.690, p < 0.001) were protective factors for participants’ mental health status. A gay man who is the only child in his family was more likely to obtain a higher total score of SCL-90-R in China (B = 59.321, SE = 7.798, p < 0.001). Our study reveals the worrying mental health status of Chinese gay men. Shifts in familial, governmental, and societal normas are suggested to improve the current social acceptance towards sexual minority men, as well as to reduce detrimental health effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaojun Liu & Dongdong Jiang & Xiangfan Chen & Anran Tan & Yitan Hou & Meikun He & Yuanan Lu & Zongfu Mao, 2018. "Mental Health Status and Associated Contributing Factors among Gay Men in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1065-:d:148803
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Weigang Pan & Yujie Zhao & Yihong Long & Ying Wang & Yingzhi Ma, 2022. "The Effect of Perceived Social Support on the Mental Health of Homosexuals: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    2. Dongdong Jiang & Yitan Hou & Xiangfan Chen & Rui Wang & Chang Fu & Baojing Li & Lei Jin & Thomas Lee & Xiaojun Liu, 2019. "Interpersonal Sensitivity and Loneliness among Chinese Gay Men: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-14, June.

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