Lifetime Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Multifactorial Discrimination Among Middle-Aged and Older Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men

Steven P. Meanley, Michael W. Plankey, Derrick D. Matthews, Mary E. Hawk, James E. Egan, Linda A. Teplin, Steven J. Shoptaw, Pamela J. Surkan, Ron D. Stall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study describes multifactorial discrimination (discrimination attributed to multiple social identities) among middle-aged and older adult MSM. MSM aged 40+ years (N = 1,193) enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study completed behavioral surveys ascertaining experiences of discrimination and their social identity attributions. Non-proportional odds regressions assessed multifactorial discrimination by age, race/ethnicity, HIV status, and covariates. Twenty-seven percent of participants reported multifactorial discrimination. Adjusted models indicated that middle-aged men were more likely to report multifactorial discrimination compared to older adult men. Racial/ethnic minorities were more likely to report multifactorial discrimination compared to non-Hispanic white participants. These same patterns emerged among the sub-sample of participants living with HIV. To our knowledge, this is the first assessment of multifactorial discrimination in middle-aged and older MSM. Our findings support the deleterious association between multiple-marginalization and multifactorial discrimination. Multilevel interventions targeting interconnected experiences of stigma may improve the health of MSM in transition to older age.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1591-1608
Number of pages18
JournalJournal of Homosexuality
Volume68
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • HIV
  • MSM
  • aging
  • discrimination
  • health disparities
  • multiple marginalization
  • stigma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gender Studies
  • Social Psychology
  • Education
  • General Psychology

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