Association of sexual minority status, gender nonconformity with childhood victimization and adulthood depressive symptoms: A path analysis. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Meijun; Xiao, Di; Wang, Wanxin; Wu, Ruipeng; Dewaele, Alexis; Zhang, Weihong; Buysse, Ann; Song, Chao; Guo, Lan; Lu, Ciyong
• Is Part Of: Child abuse & neglect. Volume 111(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Sexual minority -- Childhood maltreatment -- Bullying -- Depressive symptoms -- Gender nonconformity; Child abuse -- Periodicals; 362.76
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104822
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-2134

Abstract

Highlights: Chinese sexual minority men had increased risks of experiencing maltreatment and bullying in childhood. Childhood victimization mediate the association between sexual minority status and adulthood depressive symptoms. Childhood gender nonconformity accounts for childhood victimization and depressive symptoms among sexual minorities. Abstract: Background: Sexual minority status and childhood gender nonconformity have been associated with elevated risks of childhood adversities and poorer mental health. Objective: To explore how abuse and bullying explain the disparities in the associations of sexual minority status and childhood gender nonconformity with adulthood depressive symptoms in men. Participants and setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a self-report questionnaire among Chinese adult men (18−35 years) who were identified as heterosexual ( n = 873) and sexual minority ( n = 858) in Guangzhou from 2017 to 2019. Methods: Structural equation modeling (SEM) were conducted for path analysis. Results: The levels of exposure to childhood maltreatment were higher in sexual minorities than in straight men, and sexual minority status predicted an increased risk of depressive symptoms via childhood maltreatment (indirect effect: β = 0.026, p = 0.004). Meanwhile, childhood gender nonconformity predicted higher depressive symptoms via both family (indirect effect: β = 0.042, p < 0.001) and school (indirect effect: β = 0.028, p < 0.001) victimization, and there was a direct effect ( β = 0.154, p < 0.001) of gender nonconformity on depressive symptoms. Conclusion: Sexual minority status and gender nonconformity are indicators of men's increased risk of childhood victimization and adulthood depressive symptoms. As a result, intervention based on both family and school dimensions needs to be developed.