Title |
Sexual Identity, Stigma, and Depression: the Role of the “Anti-gay Propaganda Law” in Mental Health among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Moscow, Russia
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Published in |
Journal of Urban Health, February 2017
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DOI | 10.1007/s11524-017-0133-6 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Emily Hylton, Andrea L. Wirtz, Carla E. Zelaya, Carl Latkin, Alena Peryshkina, Vladmir Mogilnyi, Petr Dzhigun, Irina Kostetskaya, Noya Galai, Chris Beyrer |
Abstract |
Depression is a major public health problem in the Russian Federation and is particularly of concern for men who have sex with men (MSM). MSM living in Moscow City were recruited via respondent-driven sampling and participated in a cross-sectional survey from October 2010 to April 2013. Multiple logistic regression models compared the relationship between sexual identity, recent stigma, and probable depression, defined as a score of ≥23 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale. We investigated the interactive effect of stigma and participation in the study after the passage of multiple "anti-gay propaganda laws" in Russian provinces, municipalities, and in neighboring Ukraine on depression among MSM. Among 1367 MSM, 36.7% (n = 505) qualified as probably depressed. Fifty-five percent identified as homosexual (n = 741) and 42.9% identified as bisexual (n = 578). Bisexual identity had a protective association against probable depression (reference: homosexual identity AOR 0.71; 95%CI 0.52-0.97; p < 0.01). Those who experienced recent stigma (last 12 months) were more likely to report probable depression (reference: no stigma; AOR 1.75; 95%CI 1.20-2.56; p < 0.01). The interaction between stigma and the propaganda laws was significant. Among participants with stigma, probable depression increased 1.67-fold after the passage of the anti-gay laws AOR 1.67; 95%CI 1.04-2.68; p < 0.01). Depressive symptoms are common among MSM in Russia and exacerbated by stigma and laws that deny homosexual identities. Repeal of Russia's federal anti-gay propaganda law is urgent but other social interventions may address depression and stigma in the current context. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 5 | 63% |
Unknown | 3 | 38% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 8 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 125 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 20 | 16% |
Researcher | 17 | 14% |
Student > Bachelor | 16 | 13% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 15 | 12% |
Other | 5 | 4% |
Other | 15 | 12% |
Unknown | 37 | 30% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 27 | 22% |
Social Sciences | 20 | 16% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 12 | 10% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 11 | 9% |
Economics, Econometrics and Finance | 4 | 3% |
Other | 11 | 9% |
Unknown | 40 | 32% |