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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

David H. Chae, MA, Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02115, (206) 685-0560, hchae@hsph.harvard.edu and Hirokazu Yoshikawa, PhD, Department of Psychology, New York University, 6 Washington Place, Room 279, New York, NY 10003.

Studies suggest that Asian gay men face considerable racial/ethnic discrimination and prejudice within gay contexts, and that such experiences at the interpersonal level are associated with negative health consequences. Few studies, however, have examined relationships between perceptions of group prejudice and health, and how dimensions of racial/ethnic identity may moderate these associations. In this study, we examine associations between perceptions of prejudice against one's racial/ethnic group, racial/ethnic identity, depressive mood, and HIV risk behavior among Asian gay men. Perceptions of group devaluation had a direct positive association with depressive mood. In addition, among participants who reported being most attracted to White men, greater perceptions of group prejudice were associated with higher risk of engaging in unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with non-primary partners. However, among participants who reported being most attracted to non-White men and those with more positive personal evaluations of the Asian gay community, greater perceptions of group devaluation were associated with lower levels of UAI. Results highlight the deleterious effect of racial/ethnic prejudice on mental health. However, among those who do not conform to normative representations of desirability as White, and those who hold positive evaluations of the Asian gay community, being able to recognize systematic racial/ethnic prejudice against one's group may be associated with lower levels of HIV risk behavior. Our findings suggest that increasing consciousness of issues of discrimination and prejudice and promoting positive racial/ethnic esteem among Asian gay men may improve health outcomes.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the attendee will be able to

• Understand issues of racial/ethnic discrimination and prejudice within the gay community, and how such experiences and perceptions may influence health.
• Describe relationships between perceived group prejudice, racial/ethnic identity, depressive mood, and HIV risk behavior among Asian gay men.
• Discuss implications for researchers and advocates in sexual and racial/ethnic minority health in reducing HIV risk.

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, HIV Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation