Comprehensive Literature Review Pertaining to Married Men Who Have Sex With Men (MMSM)

Stigma, Anxiety, and Depression Among Gay and Bisexual Men in Mixed-Orientation Marriages

“…The current study findings are also consistent with previous research showing high levels of anxiety and depression and other physical and mental health disorders among gay and bisexual men (Higgins, 2002(Higgins, , 2004Hillier et al, 2008;King et al, 2008;Meyer, 1995Meyer, , 2003. Earlier research found that most mixed-orientation marriages eventually end in separation and/or divorce (Ben-Ari & Adler, 2017;Bozett, 1982;Buxton, 2008b;Coleman, 1982;Hudson, 2013), and most men in this study had separated or divorced from their spouse. Similarly, these findings reinforce the important role of social environment (Kissil & Itzhaky, 2015;Ortiz & Scott, 1994), independent of individual risk-factors, for increasing the risk of suicide among gay and bisexual men, which is identified in previous research (Hatzenbuehler, 2011;Hatzenbuehler et al, 2014;Perales & Todd, 2018).…”

“…Often, therapeutic intervention is required to assist men to accept their same-sex attraction (Alessi, 2007;Coleman, 1982;Cornett, 2007). A comprehensive literature review of men in mixed-orientation marriages (Hudson, 2013) found that most research is focused upon why gay and bisexual men choose to marry, why heterosexual women remain married after a husband's disclosure, the coping strategies and adjustment modes of men and women in mixedorientation marriages, and men's sexual practices. Studies indicate that most mixed-orientation marriages end in separation and divorce (Bozett, 1982;Buxton, 2008aBuxton, , 2008b; Currently, there is a gap in the research literature regarding the mental health of gay and bisexual men in mixed-orientation marriages.…”

“…There is also some empirical evidence that supports the link between structural stigma and health disparities among same-sex-attracted people, including psychological distress, reported health behaviors, and mortality (see, for example, Hatzenbuehler, 2011, 2017; Hatzenbuehler et al, 2014; Hatzenbuehler, Flores, & Gates, 2017; Perales & Todd, 2018; Rostosky, Riggle, Horne, & Miller, 2009; van der Star & Bränström, 2015). No studies have explored the stigmatization of same-sex attraction and the onset of anxiety and depression among gay and bisexual men in mixed-orientation marriages, and there remains little qualitative research that engages with the lives of these men (Hudson, 2013). To address this gap, the authors conducted an interview-based study that investigated participants’ reports of mental health from childhood through to heterosexual marriage and beyond.…”

Pleasuring bodies: Performativity and sexual play

“…Blaming external factors like substance use or conflicts with wives/girlfriends to counterbalance their sexual activities is also common (Reback and Larkins, 2010), as is seeking out other straight-identifying male sex partners to separate themselves from ‘real’ gay men (Reynolds, 2015). Studies into same-sex attracted men in heterosexual marriages yield similar findings, but with a greater emphasis on the way these men work to cognitively and pragmatically separate their gay sexual encounters from their heterosexual life (Hudson, 2013). Jonathan’s experiences resonate well with this research.…”

Bisexuality

“…The notion of 'MSM' has now been followed by the development of the terms 'Men who have Sex with Men and Women' (MSMW), and 'Women who have Sex with Men and Women' (WSMW) which are used to cover what could also be interpreted as behavioural bisexuality (see San Francisco Human Rights Commission LGBT Advisory Committee undated). There are other, related, terms, for example, 'Married Men who have Sex with Men' (MMSM) (Hudson, 2013).…”