Abstract
Objective: This study examined the hypothesis that sexual minority specific stress and trauma histories may explain some of the risk for smoking among gay/bisexual men. Methods: Patients at a Boston community health center were invited to complete a 25-item questionnaire assessing demographics, general health, trauma history, and substance use. Of the 3103 who responded, 1309 identified as male and gay or bisexual (82.8% White and mean age of 38.55 [sd = 9.76]). Results: A multinomial logistic regression with never smoked as referent group and covariates of age, education, employment, HIV status, and race, showed that the number of sexual minority stressors/traumas were significantly related to the odds of both current and former smoking. In comparison to participants with no trauma history, those who reported 1, 2, 3, and 4 traumas had respectively 1.70 (OR = 1.70: 95% CI: 1.24-2.34), 2.19 (OR = 2.19: 95% CI: 1.48-3.23), 2.88 (OR = 2.88: 95% CI: 1.71-4.85), and 6.94 (OR = 6.94: 95% CI: 2.62-18.38) the odds of identifying as a current smoker. Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed a significant dose effect of number of sexual minority stressors/traumas with odds of ever smoking. Experiencing intimate partner violence, anti-gay verbal attack, anti-gay physical attack, and childhood sexual abuse were each independently associated with increased odds of the smoking outcomes. Conclusion: A sexual minority specific trauma history may represent a vulnerability for smoking among gay/bisexual men. Interventions that address trauma may enhance the efficacy of smoking cessation programs and improve the mental health of gay/bisexual men.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 472-477 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Journal of Psychosomatic Research |
| Volume | 78 |
| Issue number | 5 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Gay
- Men
- Sexual minority
- Smoking
- Trauma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Clinical Psychology
Cite this
Sexual minority specific and related traumatic experiences are associated with increased risk for smoking among gay and bisexual men. / O'Cleirigh, Conall; Dale, Sannisha; Elsesser, Steven; Pantalone, David W.; Mayer, Kenneth H.; Bradford, Judith B.; Safren, Steven.
In: Journal of Psychosomatic Research, Vol. 78, No. 5, 01.05.2015, p. 472-477.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Sexual minority specific and related traumatic experiences are associated with increased risk for smoking among gay and bisexual men
AU - O'Cleirigh, Conall
AU - Dale, Sannisha
AU - Elsesser, Steven
AU - Pantalone, David W.
AU - Mayer, Kenneth H.
AU - Bradford, Judith B.
AU - Safren, Steven
PY - 2015/5/1
Y1 - 2015/5/1
N2 - Objective: This study examined the hypothesis that sexual minority specific stress and trauma histories may explain some of the risk for smoking among gay/bisexual men. Methods: Patients at a Boston community health center were invited to complete a 25-item questionnaire assessing demographics, general health, trauma history, and substance use. Of the 3103 who responded, 1309 identified as male and gay or bisexual (82.8% White and mean age of 38.55 [sd = 9.76]). Results: A multinomial logistic regression with never smoked as referent group and covariates of age, education, employment, HIV status, and race, showed that the number of sexual minority stressors/traumas were significantly related to the odds of both current and former smoking. In comparison to participants with no trauma history, those who reported 1, 2, 3, and 4 traumas had respectively 1.70 (OR = 1.70: 95% CI: 1.24-2.34), 2.19 (OR = 2.19: 95% CI: 1.48-3.23), 2.88 (OR = 2.88: 95% CI: 1.71-4.85), and 6.94 (OR = 6.94: 95% CI: 2.62-18.38) the odds of identifying as a current smoker. Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed a significant dose effect of number of sexual minority stressors/traumas with odds of ever smoking. Experiencing intimate partner violence, anti-gay verbal attack, anti-gay physical attack, and childhood sexual abuse were each independently associated with increased odds of the smoking outcomes. Conclusion: A sexual minority specific trauma history may represent a vulnerability for smoking among gay/bisexual men. Interventions that address trauma may enhance the efficacy of smoking cessation programs and improve the mental health of gay/bisexual men.
AB - Objective: This study examined the hypothesis that sexual minority specific stress and trauma histories may explain some of the risk for smoking among gay/bisexual men. Methods: Patients at a Boston community health center were invited to complete a 25-item questionnaire assessing demographics, general health, trauma history, and substance use. Of the 3103 who responded, 1309 identified as male and gay or bisexual (82.8% White and mean age of 38.55 [sd = 9.76]). Results: A multinomial logistic regression with never smoked as referent group and covariates of age, education, employment, HIV status, and race, showed that the number of sexual minority stressors/traumas were significantly related to the odds of both current and former smoking. In comparison to participants with no trauma history, those who reported 1, 2, 3, and 4 traumas had respectively 1.70 (OR = 1.70: 95% CI: 1.24-2.34), 2.19 (OR = 2.19: 95% CI: 1.48-3.23), 2.88 (OR = 2.88: 95% CI: 1.71-4.85), and 6.94 (OR = 6.94: 95% CI: 2.62-18.38) the odds of identifying as a current smoker. Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed a significant dose effect of number of sexual minority stressors/traumas with odds of ever smoking. Experiencing intimate partner violence, anti-gay verbal attack, anti-gay physical attack, and childhood sexual abuse were each independently associated with increased odds of the smoking outcomes. Conclusion: A sexual minority specific trauma history may represent a vulnerability for smoking among gay/bisexual men. Interventions that address trauma may enhance the efficacy of smoking cessation programs and improve the mental health of gay/bisexual men.
KW - Gay
KW - Men
KW - Sexual minority
KW - Smoking
KW - Trauma
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84925872769&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.02.004
DO - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2015.02.004
M3 - Article
VL - 78
SP - 472
EP - 477
JO - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
JF - Journal of Psychosomatic Research
SN - 0022-3999
IS - 5
ER -