title: The relationship of depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and sexual behaviors in a predominantly Hispanic sample of men who have sex with men.
abstract: Despite public health campaigns and safer sex messages, many men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to participate in high-risk sexual behaviors, which may make them vulnerable to HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and sexual behaviors in a predominantly Hispanic sample of MSM. This correlational study sampled 205 MSM (M = 37 years of age, SD = +/-8) representing the diverse ethnic composition of South Florida. This sample consisted of ethnic minorities (79%) with a large number of foreign-born men (69%). Participants completed measures of depressive symptoms, self-esteem, and sexual behaviors. Results indicated that higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of self-esteem had a statistically significant relationship to lower levels of safer sexual behaviors. Lower income, lower educational level, and preference for Spanish language were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms; lower income was associated with lower levels of self-esteem; and foreign birth and a preference for Spanish language were associated with lower levels of safer sex behaviors. Higher levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of self-esteem were associated with high-risk sexual behaviors in this sample of MSM. Further research needs to be directed at culturally specific mental health and HIV prevention strategies for these vulnerable MSM.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA. jdesantis@miami.edu
authors.forename: Joseph P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: De Santis
authors.forename: Jessie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Colin
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Provencio Vasquez
authors.forename: Gail C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: McCain
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult