title: Risk factors for high levels of prescription drug misuse and illicit drug use among substance-using young men who have sex with men (YMSM).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited research has focused on prescription drug misuse among young men who have sex with men (YMSM), or investigated risk factors contributing to misuse. This study aims to investigate the relationship between multiple psychosocial risk factors (i.e., childhood abuse, discrimination, mental health distress) and prescription drug misuse among YMSM who are current substance users.
  
  
  METHODS
  YMSM (N=191) who reported prescription drug misuse in the past 6 months were recruited in Philadelphia between 2012 and 2013 to complete an anonymous survey assessing demographic information, substance use, and psychosocial factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High levels of childhood physical abuse and perceived stress were associated with higher opioid misuse, while high levels of depression were associated with lower misuse of opioids. Those with higher levels of perceived stress were more likely to report higher tranquilizer misuse, while those with more experiences of social homophobia/racism and higher levels of depression and somatization reported higher stimulant misuse. Regarding demographic correlates, older participants were more likely than younger participants to report higher opioid misuse, while racial minorities were less likely than White participants to report higher misuse of tranquilizers, stimulants, and illicit drug use. Bisexual/heterosexual/other identified participants were more likely than gay identified participants to report higher misuse of all three classes of prescription drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Associations of risk factors with substance use among YMSM are complex and offer opportunities for additional research. Our findings show that prevention efforts must address substance use among YMSM in sync with psychosocial stressors.
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123, United States. Electronic address: akecojevic@mail.sdsu.edu.
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kecojevic
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital Los Angeles, The Saban Research Institute, Community, Health Outcomes and Intervention Research Program, 4650 Sunset Boulevard, Mailstop #30, Los Angeles, CA 90027, United States; University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, United States.
authors.forename: Carolyn F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, Graduate School of Public Health, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 100, San Diego, CA 92123, United States.
authors.forename: Heather L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Corliss
authors.affiliation: Drexel University School of Public Health, Department of Community Health and Prevention, 3215 Market Street, Nesbitt Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States.
authors.forename: Stephen E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lankenau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054523:Adult Survivors of Child Abuse / Q000523:psychology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology; D015143:Philadelphia; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: Childhood abuse; Illicit drug use; Mental health distress; Minority stress; Prescription drug misuse; YMSM