IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v16y2019i22p4476-d286695.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

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

Author

Listed:
  • Dian-Jeng Li

    (Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Addiction Science, Kaohsiung Municipal Kai-Syuan Psychiatric Hospital 80276, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

  • Shiou-Lan Chen

    (Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Fang Yen

    (Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Dian-Jeng Li & Shiou-Lan Chen & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2019. "Multi-Dimensional Factors Associated with Illegal Substance Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:22:p:4476-:d:286695
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/22/4476/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/16/22/4476/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stall, R. & Mills, T.C. & Williamson, J. & Hart, T. & Greenwood, G. & Paul, J. & Pollack, L. & Binson, D. & Osmond, D. & Catania, J.A., 2003. "Association of Co-Occurring Psychosocial Health Problems and Increased Vulnerability to HIV/AIDS among Urban Men Who Have Sex with Men," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 93(6), pages 939-942.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Dian-Jeng Li & Yu-Ping Chang & Yi-Lung Chen & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-11, May.
    2. Huang-Chi Lin & Yu-Ping Chang & Yi-Lung Chen & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "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," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-15, April.
    3. Huang-Chi Lin & Chih-Cheng Chang & Yu-Ping Chang & Yi-Lung Chen & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "Associations among Perceived Sexual Stigma from Family and Peers, Internalized Homonegativity, Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-13, May.
    4. Nai-Ying Ko & Wei-Hsin Lu & Yi-Lung Chen & Dian-Jeng Li & Yu-Ping Chang & Peng-Wei Wang & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Constructs of COVID-19 Health Beliefs: A Comparison Between Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Individuals in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-10, June.
    5. Yu-Te Huang & Wen-Jiun Chou & Yi-Chen Hang & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2023. "Sexual Orientation Microaggression Experiences and Coping Responses of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-11, January.
    6. Chung-Ying Lin & Ching-Shu Tsai & Chia-Wei Fan & Mark D. Griffiths & Chih-Cheng Chang & Cheng-Fang Yen & Amir H. Pakpour, 2022. "Psychometric Evaluation of Three Versions of the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Full, Eight-Item, and Three-Item Versions) among Sexual Minority Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Dian-Jeng Li & Shiou-Lan Chen & Yu-Ping Chang & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "Factors Affecting Painkillers, Sedatives/Hypnotics, Nicotine, and Unhealthy Alcohol Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, January.
    8. Dian-Jeng Li & Yu-Ping Chang & Yi-Lung Chen & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "Mediating Effects of Emotional Symptoms on the Association between Homophobic Bullying Victimization and Problematic Internet/Smartphone Use among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-10, May.
    9. Lorraine Greaves, 2020. "Missing in Action: Sex and Gender in Substance Use Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-7, March.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Thomas S. Dee, 2008. "Forsaking all others? The effects of same‐sex partnership laws on risky sex," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 118(530), pages 1055-1078, July.
    2. Tomori, Cecilia & McFall, Allison M. & Solomon, Sunil S. & Srikrishnan, Aylur K. & Anand, Santhanam & Balakrishnan, P. & Mehta, Shruti H. & Celentano, David D., 2018. "Is there synergy in syndemics? Psychosocial conditions and sexual risk among men who have sex with men in India," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 110-116.
    3. Tsai, Alexander C. & Burns, Bridget F.O., 2015. "Syndemics of psychosocial problems and HIV risk: A systematic review of empirical tests of the disease interaction concept," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 26-35.
    4. Ouafik, Maxence R. & Buret, Laetitia & Scholtes, Beatrice, 2022. "Mapping the current knowledge in syndemic research applied to men who have sex with men: A scoping review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    5. Dian-Jeng Li & Shiou-Lan Chen & Yu-Ping Chang & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2020. "Factors Affecting Painkillers, Sedatives/Hypnotics, Nicotine, and Unhealthy Alcohol Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, January.
    6. Littleton, Judith & Park, Julie, 2009. "Tuberculosis and syndemics: Implications for Pacific health in New Zealand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(11), pages 1674-1680, December.
    7. Shrestha, Shikhar & Bauer, Cici X.C. & Hendricks, Brian & Stopka, Thomas J., 2022. "Spatial epidemiology: An empirical framework for syndemics research," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    8. Danni Xia & Yingjie Chen & Ruijie Chang & Chen Xu & Xiaoyue Yu & Yujie Liu & Hui Chen & Rongxi Wang & Shangbin Liu & Xin Ge & Yuxuan Wang & Ajuan Liang & Fan Hu & Yong Cai & Ying Wang, 2022. "Psychosocial Problems and Condomless Anal Sex among Transgender Women in Two Cities of China: Study Based on the Syndemic Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, December.
    9. Shannon S. Gray & Kayla Marie Sizemore & H. Jonathon Rendina, 2023. "Coping Strategies as a Moderator for the Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Transgender Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-15, May.
    10. Chakrapani, Venkatesan & Kaur, Manmeet & Tsai, Alexander C. & Newman, Peter A. & Kumar, Rajesh, 2022. "The impact of a syndemic theory-based intervention on HIV transmission risk behaviour among men who have sex with men in India: Pretest-posttest non-equivalent comparison group trial," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    11. Kline, Nolan, 2022. "Syndemic statuses: Intersectionality and mobilizing for LGBTQ+ Latinx health equity after the Pulse shooting," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    12. Thomas S. Dee, 2005. "Forsaking All Others? The Effects of "Gay Marriage" on Risky Sex," NBER Working Papers 11327, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    13. Quinn, Katherine G., 2022. "Applying an intersectional framework to understand syndemic conditions among young Black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    14. Singer, Merrill C. & Erickson, Pamela I. & Badiane, Louise & Diaz, Rosemary & Ortiz, Dugeidy & Abraham, Traci & Nicolaysen, Anna Marie, 2006. "Syndemics, sex and the city: Understanding sexually transmitted diseases in social and cultural context," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 63(8), pages 2010-2021, October.
    15. Frye, Victoria & Egan, James E. & Tieu, Hong Van & Cerdá, Magdalena & Ompad, Danielle & Koblin, Beryl A., 2014. "“I didn't think I could get out of the fucking park.” Gay men's retrospective accounts of neighborhood space, emerging sexuality and migrations," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 6-14.
    16. Shirley J Semple & Eileen V Pitpitan & David Goodman-Meza & Steffanie A Strathdee & Claudia V Chavarin & Gudelia Rangel & Karla Torres & Thomas L Patterson, 2017. "Correlates of condomless anal sex among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Tijuana, Mexico: The role of public sex venues," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-16, October.
    17. Fasula, Amy M. & Gray, Simone C. & Vereen, Rhyan N. & Carry, Monique & Sales, Jessica M. & Abad, Neetu & Brown, Jennifer L. & Swartzendruber, Andrea & Gelaude, Deborah J., 2018. "Multiple psychosocial health problems and sexual risk among African American females in juvenile detention: A cross-sectional study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 88(C), pages 74-80.
    18. King, Brian & Winchester, Margaret S., 2018. "HIV as social and ecological experience," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 64-71.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:22:p:4476-:d:286695. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.