Emotional Closeness to Non-Parental Adults and Substance Use Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

Introduction.Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) demonstrate higher rates of substance use than their heterosexual counterparts, due to, at least in part, the disproportionate rates of stigma and victimization YMSM face. Binge drinking, marijuana use and cigarette smoking, specifically, are associated with a variety of negative consequences, such as higher rates of unprotected sex and sexually transmitted infections. Consistent with a resilience framework, the identification of positive factors that are linked to lower levels of substance use among YMSM is critical for informing tailored prevention programs for this population.

Non-parental adults (NPAs), or important adults to adolescents/young adults outside of parents and romantic partners, may be one such positive influence. NPAs, such as teachers and “gay mothers,” are beginning to be documented empirically as significant figures in the lives of many YMSM. However, to our knowledge, the current study is the first to examine associations between emotional closeness to NPAs and YMSM substance use.

Methods. YMSM participants identifying at least one NPA in their social networks (N = 103; 67% African American, 19% Hispanic/Latino, 14% Caucasian; ages 17-23) reported their demographic information and substance use at two time-points. They also provided egocentric social network data, including identifying network members and rating emotional closeness to them, at the first time-point.

Results.  In longitudinal multinomial logistic regression analyses, after controlling for race/ethnicity and Time 1 binge drinking, average closeness to NPAs was significantly associated with less binge drinking at Time 2 (X² = 8.15, p = 0.02), such that closeness to NPAs was associated with higher odds of not binge-drinking at all or binge-drinking less than monthly compared to binge-drinking at least weekly (OR = 5.56, p = 0.05). In addition, in logistic regression analyses, closeness to NPAs at Time 1 was associated with higher odds of abstaining from marijuana at Time 2 (OR = 3.92, p 0=0.5). In contrast, closeness to NPAs was not associated with cigarette smoking.

Conclusion. In the current study, closeness to NPAs was associated with less binge drinking and marijuana use over time among a sample of YMSM. This study is not without limitations, such as limited data collected on interactions between NPAs and YMSM. However, this project lays the groundwork for future examinations of NPAs as protective factors to help decrease substance use, as well as other negative health behaviors, among YMSM. Such research will contribute to the prevention field by elucidating potential ways to capitalize on a naturally occurring resource to reduce negative health outcomes among a vulnerable group.