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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.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Hylton, E; Wirtz, AL; Zelaya, CE; Latkin, C; Peryshkina, A; Mogilnyi, V; Dzhigun, P; Kostetskaya, I; Galai, N; Beyrer, C
Published in: J Urban Health
June 2017

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.

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Published In

J Urban Health

DOI

EISSN

1468-2869

Publication Date

June 2017

Volume

94

Issue

3

Start / End Page

319 / 329

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Ukraine
  • Social Stigma
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Russia
  • Risk-Taking
  • Public Health
  • Propaganda
  • Moscow
 

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Hylton, E., Wirtz, A. L., Zelaya, C. E., Latkin, C., Peryshkina, A., Mogilnyi, V., … Beyrer, C. (2017). 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. J Urban Health, 94(3), 319–329. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-017-0133-6
Hylton, Emily, Andrea L. Wirtz, Carla E. Zelaya, Carl Latkin, Alena Peryshkina, Vladmir Mogilnyi, Petr Dzhigun, Irina Kostetskaya, Noya Galai, and Chris Beyrer. “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.J Urban Health 94, no. 3 (June 2017): 319–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-017-0133-6.
Hylton E, Wirtz AL, Zelaya CE, Latkin C, Peryshkina A, Mogilnyi V, et al. 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. J Urban Health. 2017 Jun;94(3):319–29.
Hylton, Emily, et al. “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.J Urban Health, vol. 94, no. 3, June 2017, pp. 319–29. Pubmed, doi:10.1007/s11524-017-0133-6.
Hylton E, Wirtz AL, Zelaya CE, Latkin C, Peryshkina A, Mogilnyi V, Dzhigun P, Kostetskaya I, Galai N, Beyrer C. 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. J Urban Health. 2017 Jun;94(3):319–329.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Urban Health

DOI

EISSN

1468-2869

Publication Date

June 2017

Volume

94

Issue

3

Start / End Page

319 / 329

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Ukraine
  • Social Stigma
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Russia
  • Risk-Taking
  • Public Health
  • Propaganda
  • Moscow