Substance Use Patterns of Gay and Bisexual Men in the Momentum Health Study
Date
2018
Authors
Roth, Eric Abella
Cui, Zishan
Wang, Lu
Armstrong, Heather L.
Rich, Ashleigh J.
Lachowsky, Nathan J.
Sereda, Paul
Card, Kiffer G.
Jollimore, Jody
Howard, Terry
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
American Journal of Men’s Health
Abstract
Research with male sexual minorities frequently combines gay and bisexual men as Men Who Have Sex with Men
or Gay and Bisexual Men. When analyzed separately, bisexual men consistently feature negative health differentials,
exemplified by higher substance use levels. This interpretation is not clear-cut because studies may combine bisexual
men and women, use different dimensions of sexual orientation to define bisexuality, and/or not consider number of
sexual partners as a possible confounding factor. This study conducted separate bivariate and multivariate analyses
comparing gay to bisexual Momentum Study participants based on self-identity, sexual attraction, and sexual behavior,
while controlling for number of sexual partners and sociodemographic, psychosocial, and sexual behavior measures.
The study hypothesized that, regardless of definition, bisexual men feature higher substance use levels compared to
gay men. Bivariate analyses revealed significantly higher (p < .05) use among bisexual men for multiple substances in
all samples. Nonprescription stimulants and heroin were significant in all multivariate logistic regression models. In
contrast, all bisexual samples reported lower use of erectile dysfunction drugs and poppers, substances associated
with anal sex among gay men. Subsequent analysis linked these results to lower levels of anal sex in all bisexual
samples. Bivariate analyses also revealed that bisexual men featured significantly lower educational levels, annual
incomes, and Social Support Scales scores and higher Anxiety and Depression Sub-Scale Scores. In summary, findings
revealed bisexual men’s distinctive substance use, sexual behavior, psychosocial, and sociodemographic profiles, and
are important for tailoring specific health programs for bisexual men.
Description
The authors are grateful for the assistance and involvement of Momentum Health Study participants, office staff and community advisory board, as well as our community partner agencies, the Health Initiative for Men, YouthCo HIV and Hep C Society, and the Positive Living Society of BC.
Keywords
bisexual men, gay men, substance use, behavioral issues, sexual dimensions
Citation
Roth, E. A., Cui, Z., Wang, L., Armstrong, H. L., Rich, A. J., Lachowsky, N. J., Sereda, P., Card, K. G., Jollimore, J., Howard, T., Olarewaju, G., Moore, D. M., & Hogg, R. S. (2018). “Substance Use Patterns of Gay and Bisexual Men in the Momentum Health Study.” American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(5), 1759–1773. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988318786872