Childhood Emotional Abuse and Psychological Distress in Gay and Bisexual Men

Abstract

Despite the high prevalence of childhood emotional abuse (CEA) and adult psychological distress (depression and anxiety) among gay and bisexual men (GBM), there is little research examining the relationships among these variables. This study examined internalized homophobia (IH) as a mediator between CEA and psychological distress in a sample of 286 GBM. Controlling for demographics and childhood sexual and physical abuse, CEA was associated with self-report and clinician-administered measures of psychological distress. Concern about stigma of being gay mediated the relationship between CEA and psychological distress. Internalized antigay attitudes might be important in the relationship between CEA and adult psychological distress. Clinicians might address negative beliefs about the self as a GBM that could be exacerbated due to CEA.

Keywords:

• anxiety
• childhood emotional abuse
• depression
• internalized homophobia
• sexual minorities

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Trevor A. Hart and Mona R. Loutfy are supported by CIHR New Investigator Awards in HIV Research. Ted Myers is an Ontario HIV Treatment Network Career Scientist. Danielle R. Schwartz and Karen E. Roberts are supported by graduate scholarships from CIHR.