Sexual Orientation Measurement, Bisexuality, and Mental Health in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Vancouver, Canada
Date
2018
Authors
Rich, Ashleigh J.
Armstrong, Heather L.
Cui, Zishan
Sereda, Paul
Lachowsky, Nathan J.
Moore, David M.
Hogg, Robert S.
Roth, Eric A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Bisexuality
Abstract
This cross-sectional study used a validated index (i.e., Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) to measure anxiety and depression (caseness score: ≥8) among men who have sex with men recruited via respondent-driven sampling in Vancouver, Canada (n=774), and investigated whether differences in mental health outcomes varied by sexual orientation measure (i.e., identity, attraction, behavior). Of the sample, 15.5% identified as bisexual, 33.4% reported any bisexual attraction, and 22.7% reported any bisexual sexual activity. More bisexual than gay men met the case definition for anxiety and depression, across all sexual orientation measures. In adjusted multivariable models, bisexual men had higher odds of anxiety by attraction and identity and higher odds of depression by identity. Findings highlight the value of measuring multiple sexual orientation dimensions in surveys and routine surveillance, and the need to ensure sexual minority groups and sexual orientation dimensions are not considered commensurate for mental health prevention and treatment.
Description
We thank the research participants for sharing their important data with the Momentum Health Study. We also thank our community-based partners on the Momentum Health Study Community Advisory Board for their input in this work, including representatives from the Health Initiative for Men, YouthCO HIV & Hep C Society of BC, and Positive Living Society of BC.
Keywords
Bisexuality, Measurement, Men Who Have Sex with Men, Anxiety, Depression
Citation
Rich, A. J., Armstrong, H. L., Cui, Z., Sereda, P., Lachowsky, N. J., Moore, D. M., Hogg, R. S., & Roth, E. A. (2018). “Sexual Orientation Measurement, Bisexuality, and Mental Health in a Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Vancouver, Canada.” Journal of Bisexuality, 18(3), 299-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299716.2018.1518181