4327.0 - Experiences of discrimination among young gay, bisexual men, and non-binary individuals: Latent Class Analysis
Session: Interpersonal and structural violence within LGBTQ+ populations
Authors: Bryce P Takenaka, Adam Viera, E. Jennifer Elelman, Trace Kershaw
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Abstract
Objectives
To identify patterns of perceived reasons for experiencing discrimination and how those profiles relate to discrimination experiences and health and social outcomes.
Methods
Men's Voices on Mapping, Neighborhoods, and Technology (MVMNT) was a longitudinal cohort study conducted between June 2019 and March 2023. This study included 396 young gay, bisexual men, and non-binary individuals from Connecticut and Georgia and completed the Everyday Discrimination scale about their discriminatory experiences and perceived reasons for those experiences. We conducted a latent class analysis and identified four distinct classes based on perceived reasons for discrimination. ANOVAs tested differences in health outcomes across classes.
Results
The Multifaceted Class (10%) included sexuality, race, ethnicity, gender, weight, dress, skin color, and hair as perceived reasons for discrimination. The Race and Ethnicity Class (22%) included sexuality, race, and ethnicity. The Sexuality Only Class (46%) had sexuality as the sole reason for discrimination. Lastly, the External Appearance Class (22%) included sexuality, weight, dress, and hair. Discrimination scores were significantly higher for the External Appearance Class compared to the Race and Ethnicity and Sexuality Only classes (p<0.001). Stigma salience, body esteem, social cohesion, perceived stress, social anxiety, depression, harmful alcohol use, and use of criminalized substances differed significantly by class (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Health promotion programs providing long-term solutions, such as alternative care systems, anti-discrimination measures, and supportive coping strategies, are recommended to mitigate the negative effects of stigma and improve health outcomes.