H. Pereira, Portugal
University of Beira Interior Psychology and EducationPresenter of 5 Presentations
EPP0025 - Anxiety, Depression and HIV in Older Gay and Bisexual Men
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Negative consequences of social homonegativity and HIV status among older gay and bisexual men in Portugal are still to be documented.
Objectives
This study seeks to evaluate depression and anxiety disparities among older gay and bisexual men, based upon their HIV status.
Methods
This is a quantitative, descriptive, comparative, and cross-sectional study. Responses were collected from a total of 201 men, with 16.9% being HIV positive, 80.6% identifying as homosexual and 13.9% identifying as bisexual. Participants responded to the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the BSI-18, and the CDRISC-10.
Results
The sample collected revealed moderate levels of depression and anxiety that were below the average observed among the general population. Older gay men showed higher levels of depression when compared to older bisexual men. Self-esteem was negatively correlated with both depression and anxiety while being positively correlated with resilience. In contrast, depression was negatively correlated with resilience and, conversely, positively correlated with anxiety. Furthermore, anxiety was negatively correlated with resilience. Multiple linear regression models explain 33% of the general variation of depressive symptoms and 25% of the variation of symptoms of anxiety. Regarding comparisons based on HIV status, no statistically significant differences were found between HIV-positive and HIV-negative men.
Conclusions
This study offers a pioneering contribution to the literature on aging and mental health among older sexual minorities in Portugal, giving a voice to older HIV-positive and HIV-negative GBM in Portugal, in order to gain a better understanding of the barriers and obstacles that they face throughout the aging process.
EPP0575 - Online Psychological Intervention with LGBT Clients In Portugal
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Introduction: This is a quasi-experimental and pioneering study in Portugal.
Objectives
(1) to provide assessment materials for symptoms of internalized homophobia, depression, and anxiety targeted at LGBT people; (2) offer support materials for psychotherapeutic work-oriented in the areas of internalized homonegativity, depression, and anxiety; and (3) offer monitoring measures throughout the program to demonstrate changes. It consists of three phases (pre-program evaluation, therapeutic activities and post-program evaluation).
Methods
38 LGBT + individuals participated, average age was 34.15 years, 30 self-identified as male. Measures used for the pre and post-intervention assessment were the sociodemographic questionnaire, the LGBT identity questionnaire, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and the BSI-18. Participants were invited to join the program online, through a platform created for this purpose, where ethical aspects were clarified, namely: confidentiality and commitment to adherence. Therapeutic tasks were sent by email or WhatsApp depending on the preference of each participant.
Results
Relevant differences in internalized homophobia, depressive, and anxious symptoms between the pre and post-intervention moments were observed, indicating that the program is effective in changing these symptoms.
Conclusions
The importance of validating this type of program allows reaching “hidden” populations by offering online support that minimizes the effects of sexual stigma on LGBT + populations.
EPP1279 - Sexual Dysfunctions and Sexual Behaviors of Normal Weight, Overweight and Obese Sexual Minority Men
ABSTRACT
Introduction
With the growing recognition of overweightness and obesity as significant, international public health concerns, the body of research investigating the relationship between body mass index (BMI), sexual health and sexual functioning in sexual minority men is still scarce.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to assess sexual health determinants (sexual behavior and sexual functioning) in relation to normal weight, overweightness and obesity among gay and bisexual men.
Methods
The survey included four categories of questions/measurements, encompassing sociodemographic information, protected/unprotected sexual behaviors, sexual functioning, and BMI. The survey was conducted online, and recruitment consisted of online notifications (emails and electronic messages), and advertisements sent to LGBT community organizations, mailing lists, and social networks.
Results
The study sample was composed of 741 gay and bisexual men, ranging in age from 21 to 75 years old (Mage=43.30, SDage=11.37), 62.5% of men self-identified as gay and 37.5% as bisexual. Prevalence of normal weight was 50.3%, of overweight 33.3% and of obesity 16.4%. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis to assess the effects of BMI on sexual health showed that being younger in age, self-identifying as gay, being in a relationship, having longer penises, adopting insertive position in sex and being normal weight were significant predictors of anal receptive sex without condoms, explaining 24.2% of the total variance. Yet, BMI was not predictive of sexual functioning.
Conclusions
These findings highlight the importance of including BMI in sexual behavior models of sexual minority men to better understand BMI’s role in influencing sexual risk.
EPP1280 - Sexual Functioning and High Sensory Processing Sensitivity
ABSTRACT
Introduction
The concept of Sensory Processing Sensitivity (SPS) was initially introduced by Aron in 1997 and involves complex processing of sensorial information and internal and external sensory stimuli, that is represented as an individual innate difference, as a temperamental property that concerns not only this deep sensorial processing but also to sharper general responsiveness to the environment. Its association with sexual functioning is still to be deeply determined.
Objectives
Through this research we aim to evaluate the levels of High Sensory Processing Sensitivity (HSPS) and to what extent these are related to sexual functioning, in addition to assessing the mediating role of gender in this relationship.
Methods
A total of 1,054 subjects between the ages of 18 and 80 (M age = 29.4; SD age = 11.9) participated in this study. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Portuguese version of The Highly Sensitive Person Scale, and the Portuguese version of the Massachusetts General Hospital – Sexual Functioning Scale. The recruitment of the sample was internet-based.
Results
Results showed that the Sensitivity Sensory Processing and Sexual Functioning variables are negatively correlated and that there are statistically significant differences in sexual functioning according to gender (t(df)=7.042; p=<.05), males scoring higher; and participants with lower levels of HSPS presented higher levels of sexual functioning (t(df)=3.599; p<.05). Finally, logistic regression showed that Gender is responsible for 6.2% of the total variance of sexual functioning.
Conclusions
When working with highly sensitive people mental health professionals should take into account problems related to their sexual functioning in clinical practice.
EPP1396 - Mental Health, Suicidal Behavior and Sexual Orientation in Portugal
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Sexual minority individuals consistently report higher rates of mental disorders and suicidal behavior than heterosexuals. However, much of this research is limited to Anglo-Saxon studies and no information on Portuguese reality is available.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to compare levels of mental functioning and suicidal behavior among heterosexual, bisexual, and homosexual individuals in Portugal.
Methods
Using online surveys, 1140 individuals (62.40% women, Mage = 36.83, SDage = 13.39, 76.4% heterosexual, 9.4% bisexual, and 14.2% gay or lesbian) completed the BSI subscales for depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised.
Results
Self-identified bisexual participants presented higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms and higher levels of suicidal ideation and likelihood of suicidal behavior than homosexual and heterosexual participants (who scored the lowest); yet, homosexual participants showed higher levels of suicide attempts. Also, depression and anxiety symptoms were strongly and positively correlated with all dimensions of suicidal behavior. Finally, hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that higher levels of depression and non-heterosexual sexual orientations were significant predictors of suicidal ideation and the likelihood of suicidal behavior.
Conclusions
The present study adds to the evidence that sexual minority individuals are at risk of increased mental health problems and suicidal behavior, compared to heterosexuals, and reiterates the need for local political and legislative efforts to normalize LGB identities, fighting continued institutional heterosexism, interpersonal intolerance. Mental health providers and mental health policymakers need to consider these results if they want to address inequalities in mental health and in suicidality among these minority groups.