Psychosocial correlates of substance use among young and adult gay-bisexual men
Gabriele Prati, Raffaele Lelleri
This study investigated the relation between psychosocial variables and substance use in a sample
of young and adult gay and bisexual men. The sample was composed of 4,458 males between 15 and
54 years old, who participated in the MODI DI survey. The data obtained show that substance use was
more prevalent among gay and bisexual men, if compared to the results of surveys on a national male
reference sample. Men with greater substance use declare they are more visible regarding their sexual
orientation, to visit clubs for the purpose of a sexual encounter, to have experienced more homophobic
episodes and to have had unsafe sex in the last 12 months. In conclusion, gay-bisexual men tend to
consume more illegal substances compared to the general male population. Substance use among gaybisexual
men has multiple psychosocial functions.
Keywords
Homosexuality, substance use, minority stress, sexual risk taking behaviour,
coping strategies.
