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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Mark S. Friedman, PhD, Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, 3520 Fifth Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, 412-383-2162, marksf@stophiv.pitt.edu, Michael P. Marshal, PhD, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Meyran Avenue, Room 425, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, Eric R. Wright, PhD, School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Center for Urban Policy and the Environment, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 801 W. Michigan Street, BS 4059, Indianapolis, IN 46202, and Ron Stall, PhD, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.

Background: Gay adolescents are more likely than heterosexuals to be physically abused. In general, physically abused youth experience elevated rates of health problems as adults. Gay adolescents who develop early may be at increased risk for abuse. We therefore tested the relationship between early gay-related development and health problems during adulthood.

Methodology: Secondary data-analysis of a household probability sample of men who have sex with men (N = 2,881), Urban Men's Health Study. We constructed a scale to define timing of gay-related development via latent class analysis using markers such as age of first same-sex sexual attraction, self-labeling and disclosure. The scale identified early, middle and late bloomers. Logistic regression tested differences between groups controlling for covariates.

Results: Early gay-related development associated with higher levels of depression, HIV seropositivity, victimization, and drug use.

(See attached table.)

Discussion: Men who reach gay-related developmental milestones early are more likely to report certain health problems as adults. Limitations include cross-sectional design, retrospective reporting, and low-base-rates of certain behaviors. Interventions to protect gay youth are needed as are longitudinal designs to measure the effect of protective interventions.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Identify and list several factors among gay male adolescents that are associated with negative health outcomes among gay adults.
• Articulate the procedure for using latent class analysis, especially with respect to grouping individuals according to gay-related developmental milestones.
• Understand the need for longitudinal designs to increase understanding in this area and articulate research questions associated with those designs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation