Experiences of stigma, mental health, and coping strategies in Lebanon among Lebanese and displaced Syrian men who have sex with men: A qualitative study.
Coping
Displaced syrians
Lebanon
Men who have sex with men
Mental health
Qualitative
Stigma
Journal
Social science & medicine (1982)
ISSN: 1873-5347
Titre abrégé: Soc Sci Med
Pays: England
ID NLM: 8303205
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Oct 2023
Oct 2023
Historique:
received:
09
02
2022
revised:
11
09
2023
accepted:
12
09
2023
pubmed:
25
9
2023
medline:
25
9
2023
entrez:
24
9
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
In Lebanon, men who have sex with men (MSM) face high rates of stigma, discrimination, and violence. Minority stress, or the unique stressors related to anti-MSM stigma and discrimination, negatively impacts the mental health of MSM. These stressors are heightened for those with intersectional minority identities such as displaced Syrian MSM in Lebanon. In this qualitative study conducted in 2020-21, part of a larger study focused on the mental and sexual health risks among MSM, we collected qualitative data from Lebanese and displaced Syrian MSM living in Lebanon and analyzed reports of their experiences with stigma, mental health, and coping strategies. We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 12 displaced Syrian MSM and 13 Lebanese MSM. Our findings highlight how MSM in Lebanon navigate stigma and the mental health risks that result. Common stressors among Lebanese and displaced Syrian MSM were related to finances, sexual orientation discrimination, and social isolation. Comparing the two groups, we found that stressors specific to displaced Syrian MSM were related to adverse childhood experiences, recent exposure to the Syrian war, displacement, and discrimination in Lebanon based on their intersectional identities as MSM and Syrians. For Lebanese participants, the most common stigma coping strategies were avoidance, drinking alcohol, using drugs, or having sex. As for displaced Syrian MSM, the most common stigma coping strategy was seeking the freely available mental health services offered to them through non-governmental organizations. Our findings suggest that increased targeted mental health and social support interventions, informed by the unique experiences of Lebanese and displaced Syrian MSM, are highly needed to improve the coping and mental health resources of all MSM in Lebanon.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
In Lebanon, men who have sex with men (MSM) face high rates of stigma, discrimination, and violence. Minority stress, or the unique stressors related to anti-MSM stigma and discrimination, negatively impacts the mental health of MSM. These stressors are heightened for those with intersectional minority identities such as displaced Syrian MSM in Lebanon.
METHODS
METHODS
In this qualitative study conducted in 2020-21, part of a larger study focused on the mental and sexual health risks among MSM, we collected qualitative data from Lebanese and displaced Syrian MSM living in Lebanon and analyzed reports of their experiences with stigma, mental health, and coping strategies. We conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 12 displaced Syrian MSM and 13 Lebanese MSM.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Our findings highlight how MSM in Lebanon navigate stigma and the mental health risks that result. Common stressors among Lebanese and displaced Syrian MSM were related to finances, sexual orientation discrimination, and social isolation. Comparing the two groups, we found that stressors specific to displaced Syrian MSM were related to adverse childhood experiences, recent exposure to the Syrian war, displacement, and discrimination in Lebanon based on their intersectional identities as MSM and Syrians. For Lebanese participants, the most common stigma coping strategies were avoidance, drinking alcohol, using drugs, or having sex. As for displaced Syrian MSM, the most common stigma coping strategy was seeking the freely available mental health services offered to them through non-governmental organizations.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that increased targeted mental health and social support interventions, informed by the unique experiences of Lebanese and displaced Syrian MSM, are highly needed to improve the coping and mental health resources of all MSM in Lebanon.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37742387
pii: S0277-9536(23)00605-6
doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116248
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
116248Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
Declaration of competing interest The authors have no conflict of interest to disclose.