Do Family and Friendship Networks Protect Against the Influence of Discrimination on Mental Health and HIV Risk Among Asian and Pacific Islander Gay Men?

Abstract

This study examined the influence of experiences of racism, homophobia, and anti-immigrant discrimination on depressive symptoms and HIV risk among a sample of Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) gay men (N = 192). In addition, the potential protective influences of conversations about discrimination with gay friends and with family were explored. These men reported high rates of depressive symptoms (45% above the clinical cutoff on the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale) as well as HIV risk behavior (31% reporting at least one episode of unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in the last 3 months). Controlling for income, ethnicity, age, and relationship status, experiences of racism were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, and experiences of anti-immigrant discrimination were associated with higher rates of secondary-partner UAI. Conversations about discrimination with gay friends and with family were associated with lower levels of primary-partner UAI. The combination of low levels of discussion with family about discrimination with high levels of experienced discrimination (of all three types) was associated with higher rates of UAI. Implications for mental health and HIV prevention interventions for A&PI gay men are discussed.

Correlates of Sexual, Ethnic, and Dual Identity: A Study of Young Asian and Pacific Islander Men who Have Sex with Men

“…As a consequence, the opportunities for romantic and social relationship for API MSM, while already limited, become more difficult. API MSM often feel discriminated against in the general gay community and this appears to be a major cause of stress (Yoshikawa, Wilson, Chae, & Cheng, 2004). The model examining the correlates of sexual identity yielded some important findings that contribute to what is currently theorized or found in qualitative research.…”

“…Findings also suggest the importance of social support around gay/bisexual identity in building a positive sense of ethnic and sexual identity for young API MSM. This support fosters youth's self-esteem and reduces HIV transmission risks as well as the psychological distress associated with being gay and API (Allen & Oleson, 1999;Yoshikawa et al, 2004). This association could explain a previous analysis of the same data showing that social support was associated with increased HIV testing (Do et al, 2006).…”

“…Social support is even more important in collectivistic API cultures where social relationships play a greater role in the derivation of selfhood and well-being (Mao et al, 2004). The study by Yoshikawa et al (2004) suggests that social support serves an important function in coping with social stigma and discrimination and in maintaining a positive sense of self.…”

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender immigrant acculturation experience

“…Williams and colleagues argued that these milder but chronic forms of experienced racism in the LGBT community context can be rather debilitating because, due to their frequency, they can have negative and longstanding impacts on the self-esteem of LGBT immigrants. Research has also demonstrated that racism, antiimmigrant discrimination, and homophobia strongly contribute to increased psychological symptoms and result in higher rates of psychological symptomatology among LGBT immigrants compared to mainstream LGBT community members (Ayala & Diaz, 2001;Yoshikawa, Wilson, Chae, & Cheng, 2004). Higher rates of psychological symptomology among LGBT immigrants are often attributed to the fact that repeated experiences of discrimination based on race or ethnicity and sexual orientation are experienced in combination by LGBT immigrants who are minorities along both of these dimensions (Yoshikawa et al, 2004).…”

“…Research has also demonstrated that racism, antiimmigrant discrimination, and homophobia strongly contribute to increased psychological symptoms and result in higher rates of psychological symptomatology among LGBT immigrants compared to mainstream LGBT community members (Ayala & Diaz, 2001;Yoshikawa, Wilson, Chae, & Cheng, 2004). Higher rates of psychological symptomology among LGBT immigrants are often attributed to the fact that repeated experiences of discrimination based on race or ethnicity and sexual orientation are experienced in combination by LGBT immigrants who are minorities along both of these dimensions (Yoshikawa et al, 2004). However, very few studies explored the link between racism and anti-immigrant discrimination and mental well-being of…”