A Minority Stress Response Model of Health Behaviors in Gay and Bisexual Men: Results from a Taiwanese Sample

Sexual Violence Victimization and Substance Use among Individuals Identifying on the Asexual Spectrum: Differences between Asexuality, Graysexuality, and Demisexuality

Despite the growing visibility of the asexual community across the globe, little is known about how individuals on the asexual spectrum navigate their (a)sexual experiences. Asexual individuals may be highly vulnerable to sexual violence victimization due to prejudice against their lack of sexual attraction. Perpetrators may seek to pressure asexual individuals into sexual activities by invalidating their asexuality or manipulating their need for emotional intimacy. Such non-consensual sexual acts or behaviors may have a profound impact on asexual individuals. The present study aimed to examine the prevalence of sexual violence victimization and its relationship with substance use among individuals identifying on the asexual spectrum. The data for this study were derived from a global sample of 8,752 individuals on the asexual spectrum from the Ace Community Survey. The results indicated that 67.4% of the participants had experienced at least one form of sexual violence victimization in their lifetime. Experiences of sexual violence were related to more frequent engagement in substance use over the past year. Additionally, the results showed that compared with asexual individuals, graysexual and demisexual individuals were more likely to experience sexual violence, which was linked to substance use. Given the widespread prevalence and detrimental effects of sexual violence victimization, it is important to integrate asexual perspectives into prevention and intervention efforts, while simultaneously raising public awareness about affirmative consent and boundaries. The study also offers significant implications for trauma-informed care, public education, and social policies that address the unique needs and experiences of this population.

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Associated Suicidal Ideation and Attempts Among Gay and Bisexual Men in China: A Moderated Mediation Model

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a critical risk factor for suicidal ideation and attempts, especially among gay and bisexual men who experience living as a minority. However, whether internalized homophobia (IH) underlies suicide risk and the role of outness to one's family in this association warrants investigation to inform preventive interventions. Using a cross-sectional survey of 570 gay and bisexual men in China, we examined the relationship between CSA and suicidality in the Chinese context and tested a moderated mediation model in this relationship. Nearly 65.6% of the participants had experienced suicidal ideation and 36.8% had attempted suicide. Participants with a history of CSA had higher suicidal ideation (r = 0.33, p < .01) and attempts (r = 0.48, p < .01). Our bootstrapped mediation analysis showed that IH partially mediated the relationship between CSA and suicidal ideation and attempts. Moreover, outness to one's family (parents and other family members) strengthened the direct association of CSA and IH, and the indirect relationship between CSA and suicidal ideation and attempts. These findings highlight the significance of identifying risk factors and mechanisms for suicidality among Chinese gay and bisexual men, suggesting the importance of early intervention, especially for those who have experienced CSA, to eliminate their IH and to improve family support for coming out to prevent the onset of suicidal ideation and attempts.