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Associations among Perceived Sexual Stigma from Family and Peers, Internalized Homonegativity, Loneliness, Depression, and Anxiety among Gay and Bisexual Men in Taiwan

Author

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  • Huang-Chi Lin

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan)

  • Chih-Cheng Chang

    (Department of Psychiatry, Chi Mei Medical Center, Tainan 70246, Taiwan
    Department of Health Psychology, College of Health Sciences, Chang Jung Christian University, Tainan 71101, Taiwan)

  • Yu-Ping Chang

    (School of Nursing, The State University of New York, University at Buffalo, New York, NY 14214-3079, USA)

  • Yi-Lung Chen

    (Department of Healthcare Administration, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
    Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan)

  • Cheng-Fang Yen

    (Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
    Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 80756, Taiwan
    College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the moderating factors of the association between perceived sexual stigma from family and peers and internalized homonegativity, as well as to compare the effects of perceived sexual stigma from family and peers and internalized homonegativity on loneliness, depression, and anxiety in gay and bisexual men. In total, 400 gay and bisexual men participated in this study. The experiences of perceived sexual stigma from family and peers on the Homosexuality subscale of the HIV and Homosexuality Related Stigma Scale, internalized homonegativity on the Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men, loneliness on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), depression on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, and anxiety on the State subscale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were collected. The results indicated that perceived sexual stigma from family and peers was significantly associated with internalized homonegativity in both gay and bisexual men, and that sexual orientation moderated the association. Moreover, the association between internalized homonegativity and loneliness was significantly greater than that between perceived sexual stigma from family and peers and loneliness, although no significant differences were observed in their associations with depression and anxiety. Intervention programs that promote changes in the attitudes toward gay and bisexual men among the general population are needed to help prevent the development of internalized homonegativity and further loneliness, depression and anxiety.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:10:p:6225-:d:820020
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cheng-Fang Yen & Nai-Ying Ko & Yu-Te Huang & Mu-Hong Chen & I-Hsuan Lin & Wei-Hsin Lu, 2020. "Preference about Laws for the Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Relationships in Taiwanese People Before and After Same-Sex Marriage Referenda: A Facebook Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Huang-Chi Lin & Yi-Lung Chen & Nai-Ying Ko & Yu-Ping Chang & Wei-Hsin Lu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2021. "Perception of Attitudes of the General Population toward Homosexuality in Taiwan: Roles of Demographic Factors, Mental Health, and Social Debates on Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-10, March.
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    4. 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.
    5. I-Hsuan Lin & Nai-Ying Ko & Yu-Te Huang & Mu-Hong Chen & Wei-Hsin Lu & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2019. "Effect of Same-Sex Marriage Referendums on the Suicidal Ideation Rate among Nonheterosexual People in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-11, September.
    6. Ching-Shu Tsai & Yu-Te Huang & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2021. "Experience of Sexual Orientation Microaggression among Young Adult Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals in Taiwan: Its Related Factors and Association with Mental Health Problems," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-9, November.
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    9. Cheng-Fang Yen & Yu-Te Huang & Marc N. Potenza & Tzu-Tung Tsai & Chung-Ying Lin & Hector W. H. Tsang, 2021. "Measure of Internalized Sexual Stigma for Lesbians and Gay Men (MISS-LG) in Taiwan: Psychometric Evidence from Rasch and Confirmatory Factor Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-11, December.
    10. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mei-Feng Huang & Yu-Ping Chang & Chung-Ying Lin & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2022. "A Newly Developed Scale for Assessing Experienced and Anticipated Sexual Stigma in Health-Care Services for Gay and Bisexual Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-10, October.
    2. O'Donnell, Aisling T. & Foran, Aoife-Marie, 2024. "The link between anticipated and internalized stigma and depression: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    3. Chung-Ying Lin & Yu-Ping Chang & Wen-Jiun Chou & Cheng-Fang Yen, 2023. "Assessing Enacted Sexual Stigma toward Gay and Bisexual Men in the Military: The Enacted Sexual Stigma Experiences Scale in Military Service," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-10, January.

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