A Cross-sectional Study of Perceived Stress and Racial Discrimination Among a National Sample of Young Men Who Have Sex With Men.

Abstract

Research regarding the impact of racism on stress among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is sparse. Secondary data were assessed from a 2018-2020 national mHealth prevention trial for YMSM aged 13-18 years (N = 542). Linear regression models examined associations between perceived stress and interpersonal and vicarious racism, adjusting for covariates. Stratified models by race/ethnicity were included. A subanalysis (n = 288) examined associations between nine interpersonal racial discriminatory events and perceived stress. Over 50% of participants experienced racial discrimination. In the multivariable models, exposure to interpersonal (β = 1.43, p-value: .038) and vicarious (β = 1.77, p-value: .008) racism was associated with perceived stress because there were four interpersonal racial discriminatory events. Stratified analysis by race/ethnicity found significant associations between interpersonal and vicarious racism and perceived stress among some racial/ethnic groups. Racial discrimination was common among YMSM, making them susceptible to the possible effects of vicarious and interpersonal racism on stress.