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Original Research

Open Access

The characteristics of the vulnerable Chinese gay men with depression and anxiety: a cross-sectional study

  • Xiaojun Liu1,2,†,*,
  • Dongdong Jiang2,3,†,*,

1Department of Health Management, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, 350122 Fuzhou, Fujian, China

2Global Health Institute, Wuhan University, 430072 Wuhan, Hubei, China

3School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, 310058 Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

DOI: 10.31083/jomh.2021.091 Vol.18,Issue 2,February 2022 pp.1-8

Submitted: 23 April 2021 Accepted: 08 July 2021

Published: 28 February 2022

*Corresponding Author(s): Xiaojun Liu E-mail: xiaojun_liu@fjmu.edu.cn
*Corresponding Author(s): Dongdong Jiang E-mail: dongdjiang@zju.edu.cn

† These authors contributed equally.

Abstract

Background and objective: Depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders for human health, especially for gay men. This study aimed to assess the status and characteristics of Chinese gay men who were vulnerable to depression, anxiety, or the comorbidity of the two disorders.

Material and methods: A total of 367 samples from a cross-sectional survey conducted between November and December 2017 were included. The Chinese version of SCL-90-R was used to measure the levels of anxiety and depression. The unadjusted associations of demographic characteristics with anxiety, depression, and comorbidity were evaluated by chi-square test. The most predictive factors of the respondents' depression, anxiety and the comorbidity were identified using multivariable logistic regression models.

Results: The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and comorbidity were 36.51%, 27.79%, and 26.16%, respectively among gay men. Age, being the only child at home, personal monthly income, sexual orientation disclosure status, and source of participants were related to the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and comorbidity (all p < 0.05).

Conclusions: Depression and/or anxiety are highly prevalent among Chinese gay men. Prevention strategies should be developed to target the related factors in the gay men population to thwart or slow down the situation. It is also crucial for social and family members to increase the acceptance of Chinese gay men.

Keywords

Chinese gay men; Depression; Anxiety; Comorbidity; Characteristics

Cite and Share

Xiaojun Liu,Dongdong Jiang. The characteristics of the vulnerable Chinese gay men with depression and anxiety: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Men's Health. 2022. 18(2);1-8.

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