title: Sexual Abuse is Associated with Negative Health Consequences among High-risk Men who have Sex with Men.
abstract: This study evaluated whether a history of sexual abuse could differentiate negative health consequences among men who have sex with men (MSM; N=148) enrolled in a risk counseling program. Over half (51.4%) reported an experience of sexual abuse. A history of sexual abuse was associated with increased psychological distress, increased rates of alcohol (AOR = 2.91; p < .01) and/or drug abuse (AOR = 2; p < .01) treatment, increased risk of housing instability (AOR = 2.13; p < .05), and increased risk for suicidality (AOR = 4.3; p < .001). Findings demonstrate that screening for sexual abuse may be useful in determining the service needs of high-risk MSM.
authors.affiliation: Friends Research Institute, Inc.
authors.forename: Joshua A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rusow
authors.affiliation: Friends Research Institute, Inc.
authors.forename: Jesse B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.affiliation: Friends Research Institute, Inc.
authors.forename: Hung
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: Friends Research Institute, Inc ; UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California at Los Angeles.
authors.forename: Cathy J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Reback
keywords: MSM; homelessness; mental health; sexual abuse; substance abuse treatment; suicide