Association of recent gay‐related stressful events and emotional distress with suicidal behaviors over 12 months in Chinese men who have sex with men

Introduction The study was designed to assess the association of gay‐related stressful events (GRSEs) and emotional distress with suicidal behaviors over a 12‐month period in Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods A total of 807 MSM were recruited using a respondent‐driven sampling method from 4 cities in northeastern China. The GRSEs were measured using the Gay‐related Stressful Life Events Scale, depression using the Self‐rating Depression Scale, and anxiety using the Self‐rating Anxiety Scale. Results A total of 26.0% of study participants experienced GRSEs during the 3 months, and their average Self‐rating Depression Scale and Self‐rating Anxiety Scale scores were significantly lower than the national norms. Over a 12‐month period, the prevalence of suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt was 9.7%, 4.0%, and 3.0%, respectively, each of which is at least 3 to 4 times greater than that of male adults in the general population of China. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that GRSEs significantly increased the risk of suicidal ideation (odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4‐3.7) and plan (OR = 2.8, 95% CI, 1.3‐6.0). Depressive symptoms significantly increased the risk of suicidal ideation (OR = 3.5, 95% CI, 2.1‐5.8), plan (OR = 4.4, 95% CI, 2.0‐9.6), and attempt (OR = 5.6, 95% CI, 21.94.8). Anxiety symptoms (OR = 3.4, 95% CI, 1.4‐8.4) and cohabitation with a same sex partner (OR = 3.0, 95% CI, 1.2‐7.9) significantly increased the risk of suicide attempt. Discussion More efforts to reduce GRSE are worth investigating as a strategy to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors in Chinese MSM.