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Shamrock OW, Abu-Ba'are GR, Zigah EY, Apreku A, Agbemedu GRK, Boyd DT, Adjaka G, Nelson LE. Family rejection of non-hetero sexuality-Sexual orientation and behavior anonymity among sexual minority men in slum communities-BSGH 001. PLOS Glob Public Health 2023; 3:e0001659. [PMID: 38039264 PMCID: PMC10691700 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
It can be challenging for sexual minority men (SMM) to decide whether or not to disclose their sexual orientation or behavior. The implications of this decision are significant, especially when considering how their family might react. We interviewed individuals living in slum communities (n = 12) in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana. Our study found that two factors primarily influenced the decision of SMM to disclose their sexual orientation. Firstly, SMM feared facing harm from their families and, secondly, the close ties of SMM families to religious institutions in their communities, which taught against LGBTQ+ activities in the country. These findings contribute to understanding why SMM in Ghanaian slum communities choose to keep their sexual orientation anonymous. While no single intervention is enough to address the challenges associated with coming out, participants in the study agreed that a social support intervention that provides opportunities to educate and inform their families and community on LGBTQ+ activities could help them assimilate comfortably in their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osman Wumpini Shamrock
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, Jama'a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Gamji Rabiu Abu-Ba'are
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, Jama'a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Edem Yaw Zigah
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, Jama'a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Amos Apreku
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, Jama'a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
- Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - George Rudolph Kofi Agbemedu
- Behavioral, Sexual, and Global Health Lab, School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, United States of America
- Behavioral, Sexual and Global Health Lab, Jama'a Action, West Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Donte T Boyd
- College of Social Work, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | | | - LaRon E Nelson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- School of Nursing, Yale, Connecticut, United States of America
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Chan ASW, Lo IPY, Yan E. Health and Social Inclusion: The Impact of Psychological Well-Being and Suicide Attempts Among Older Men Who Have Sex With Men. Am J Mens Health 2022; 16:15579883221120985. [PMID: 36082415 PMCID: PMC9465597 DOI: 10.1177/15579883221120985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Older adults' mental health and suicidal tendencies have garnered much attention because of their vulnerability. Few studies have examined the impact of psychological well-being and suicide attempts among older men who have sex with men (OMSM). This study examines the levels of depression and suicidal tendencies among OMSM, factors impacting their mental health, and their likelihood of committing suicide. Descriptive statistics are used to analyze the correlation between depression and suicidal tendencies among OMSM in the United States. We constructed a regression model using relevant data, and scales were selected based on a literature review. The validity and relevance of the control variables were considered. Depression and suicidal tendencies were dependent variables. Data were obtained from the U.S. General Social Survey and analyzed with an ordinary least squares model. There were significant differences between MSM and general groups in depression and suicidal tendency scores (t = 67.084, 58.193, p < .01). Compared with general groups, MSM scored significantly higher on depression and suicidal tendencies. The regression analysis revealed that sex with men was associated with depression and suicidal tendencies (p < .01) among older men. This indicates that OMSM generally have higher levels of depression and suicidal tendencies than the general population. Finally, in the intermediary test, the level of depression had a significant mediating effect on the relationship between homosexuality and suicidal tendencies (p < .01). This suggests that depression intervention can help reduce suicidal tendencies among OMSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Siu Wing Chan
- Department of Applied Social Sciences,
Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong
Kong, China,Alex Siu Wing Chan, Department of Applied
Social Sciences, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong
Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China. Emails:
;
| | - Iris Po Yee Lo
- Department of Applied Social Sciences,
Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong
Kong, China
| | - Elsie Yan
- Department of Applied Social Sciences,
Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong
Kong, China
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Hickson DA, He Y, Odusanya A, Smith AE, Ogunbajo A, Smallwood SW. Psychometric Testing of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) Among Black Gay, Bisexual, and Other Sexual Minority Men (SMM) and Black Transwomen in the Deep South: The MARI Study. J Relig Health 2022; 61:3507-3524. [PMID: 35147863 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01516-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Spirituality is a well-established protective psychosocial determinant of health. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale (DSES) among Black gay, bisexual and other sexual minority men (SMM) and Black transwomen (TW) in the Deep South. Data were collected via self-interview technology and analyzed using factor analyses and correlation coefficients. We demonstrated a single-factor structure of the DSES with high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.96). DSES was positively and significantly associated with multiple dimensions of religion, resilience, optimism and social support and not significantly associated with cynicism and anger expressions. Spirituality should be included in HIV prevention, treatment and care strategies focused on Black SMM and Black TW, especially those residing in the Deep South, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- DeMarc A Hickson
- Us Helping Us, People Into Living Inc., 3636 George Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA.
| | - Ying He
- Center for Research, Evaluation and Environmental and Policy Change, My Brother's Keeper, Inc., Jackson, MS, USA
| | - Anne Odusanya
- Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
| | - Adam E Smith
- Department of Mathematics, Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, USA
| | - Adedotun Ogunbajo
- Us Helping Us, People Into Living Inc., 3636 George Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20010, USA
| | - Stacy W Smallwood
- Department of Community Health Behavior and Education, Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, USA
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