Study finds gay and bisexual men victims of abuse
Abby Bosco
Issue date: 12/10/07 Section: Pulse
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Almost one-third of gay and bisexual men reported being victims of verbal, physical or sexual abuse from an intimate partner, according to a study performed by two UIC researchers.
Over 800 diverse Chicago-area men participated in a survey that found 32.4 percent had experienced abuse in either a current or past same-sex relationship. These rates are comparable to the results of more prevalent studies of women in heterosexual relationships.
Few studies have examined abuse in same-sex relationships and "relationship abuse among gay and bisexual men has been largely overlooked," explained Eric Houston, a graduate psychology student and the study's lead author.
Houston and study co-author, David McKirnan, associate professor of psychology, worked with the Howard Brown Health Center to explore the relation between abuse and health problems. They found that men in abusive relationships more prevalently reported health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity or smoking-related illnesses. These men more frequently showed symptoms of depression, use of drugs and alcohol and participating in unprotected sex.
Men in abusive relationships were also more likely to combine drugs with sex, and according to this study "the use of substances in conjunction with sex has been linked to transmission of HIV and various sexually transmitted diseases."
"This research is important because it suggests that for men in same-sex relationships, partner abuse may be a key factor in a variety of health problems, including sexually transmitted infections and HIV," explained Houston.
The findings of the study indicate that more must be done for men who experience abuse in same-sex relationships, and according to Houston, this "make[s] it clear that health providers may play a pivotal role in addressing this issue and bringing it to the forefront." He suggests that medical professionals screen their patients to determine if abuse is a factor in their health complaints. Unfortunately, that can be difficult because gay and bisexual men are more reluctant than women to seek help for partner abuse.
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Over 800 diverse Chicago-area men participated in a survey that found 32.4 percent had experienced abuse in either a current or past same-sex relationship. These rates are comparable to the results of more prevalent studies of women in heterosexual relationships.
Few studies have examined abuse in same-sex relationships and "relationship abuse among gay and bisexual men has been largely overlooked," explained Eric Houston, a graduate psychology student and the study's lead author.
Houston and study co-author, David McKirnan, associate professor of psychology, worked with the Howard Brown Health Center to explore the relation between abuse and health problems. They found that men in abusive relationships more prevalently reported health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, obesity or smoking-related illnesses. These men more frequently showed symptoms of depression, use of drugs and alcohol and participating in unprotected sex.
Men in abusive relationships were also more likely to combine drugs with sex, and according to this study "the use of substances in conjunction with sex has been linked to transmission of HIV and various sexually transmitted diseases."
"This research is important because it suggests that for men in same-sex relationships, partner abuse may be a key factor in a variety of health problems, including sexually transmitted infections and HIV," explained Houston.
The findings of the study indicate that more must be done for men who experience abuse in same-sex relationships, and according to Houston, this "make[s] it clear that health providers may play a pivotal role in addressing this issue and bringing it to the forefront." He suggests that medical professionals screen their patients to determine if abuse is a factor in their health complaints. Unfortunately, that can be difficult because gay and bisexual men are more reluctant than women to seek help for partner abuse.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
cathyjulee
posted 12/13/07 @ 1:02 AM CST
As I know, many gay or bisexual have fixed partner at the same time. I know most of ppl on http://www.biloves.com are like this.
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