Age of Onset of Alcohol Consumption and Subsequent Negative Health Outcomes in Gay and Bisexual Men Who Have Sex With Men. Issue 11 (19th September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grosso, Ashley L.; Downing, Martin J.; Thomann, Matthew; Chiasson, Mary Ann; Schrimshaw, Eric W.; Hirshfield, Sabina
• Is Part Of: Journal of homosexuality. Volume 66:Issue 11(2019)
• Page Start: 1609
• Page End: 1625
• Publication Date: 2019-09-19
• Subjects: Alcohol -- age of onset -- sexual risk -- men who have sex with men -- bisexual -- gay -- substance use; Homosexuality -- Periodicals; 306.766
• DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1505757
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-8369

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The correlation between current alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) is well documented, but little is known about age of drinking onset and current risks among this population. Data from a 2008 Internet survey of 8, 452 MSM in the United States were used to assess factors associated with age of onset of alcohol use. In a multivariable model, drinking onset before age 15 was significantly associated with a higher number of lifetime male anal sex partners and being behaviorally bisexual in the past 12 months. Men who reported depressive symptoms in the past two weeks or who screened positive for alcohol abuse in the past 60 days were more likely to have early age of drinking onset. Findings suggest the need for targeting younger adolescents for alcohol screening, particularly sexual minority youth, to prevent risk behaviors in adulthood.