Understanding Attachment, Emotional Regulation, and Childhood Adversity and Their Link to Chemsex

Abstract

Background: Although evidence shows that engaging in chemsex can be associated with poor mental health, little is known about the relationship between psychological factors and this type of drug use. We aim to explore associations between engagement in chemsex and several psychological variables (adverse life events, attachment styles, emotional regulation skills, self-care patterns) in a sample of gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) with drug-related problems. Methods: A group of GBMSM engaged in chemsex (n = 41) and a control group of GBMSM (n = 39) completed an online survey to assess drug-related problems and the abovementioned psychological variables, in which both groups were compared. All analyses were adjusted for covariates showing significant differences between groups. Results: Compared to the control group, participants engaged in chemsex showed significantly higher frequencies of an avoidant-insecure attachment style and early adverse life events, regardless of all covariates (HIV status, job situation, and place of birth). Poorer emotional regulation and self-care patterns and a higher frequency of sexual abuse were also found in participants engaged in chemsex, though we cannot rule out the influence of HIV status on this second group of variables. Conclusions: Some people with drug-related problems engaged in chemsex might have suffered early adverse events and might have an avoidant-insecure attachment style. Moreover, those who have been diagnosed with HIV might show higher emotional dysregulation and poorer self-care patterns. These variables should be routinely evaluated in this population.

Keywords:

• Trauma
• Attachment
• Chemsex
• Emotional regulation
• Drug use

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

We thank to the founders: Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPaz), Apoyo Positivo, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Comunidad de Madrid in collaboration with the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, supporting the work of Dominique Kessel (grants 2017-T2/SOC-5569 and SI1-PJI-2019-00011).