Sexualized drug use among gay, bisexuals, and other men who have sex with men and its association with mental health symptoms

Abstract

Sexualized drug use (SDU) refers to the intentional use of psychoactive substances before or during a sexual encounter with the aim of improving one’s sexual experience. The goals of this study were: (a) to analyze the relationship between SDU and a wide range of mental health symptoms among men who have sex with men (MSM) (e.g., anxiety, somatic symptoms, bipolar disorder, persistent depression, alcohol dependence); and (b) to examine the relationship between SDU and various behavioral addictions while controlling for a set of demographic variables, including serological status. The sample consisted of 493 MSM between 18 and 78 years old (Mage = 32.58, SD = 11.05). The participants completed self-report measures on SDU, mental health symptoms, and behavioral addictions. Significantly higher rates of compulsive sexual behavior and drug and alcohol abuse (large effect sizes) were reported by the SDU participants compared to the non-SDU participants. Moreover, SDU was also significantly related to delusional symptoms and compulsive spending (medium effect sizes). The results suggest a pattern of specific mental health symptoms associated with problematic SDU, rather than a generalized pattern of psychological dysfunction. Risk-reduction strategies should assess, provide information about, and intervene in the specific mental health symptoms associated with SDU.