Men who have sex with men were more depressed than their counterparts because of lower social support and higher loneliness: A comparative survey among Chinese university students

Feb 19, 2024Journal of affective disorders

Lower social support and higher loneliness linked to more depression in Chinese university men who have sex with men compared to others

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Abstract

The proportion of depression among MSM university students (MSMUS) was 54.1%, compared to 36.4% in non-MSMUS.

  • MSM status is significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms in university students.
  • Social support and loneliness are both linked to depressive symptoms among Chinese male university students.
  • The relationship between MSM status and depressive symptoms may be partially mediated by social support (19.4%) and loneliness (19.3%).
  • A combined mediation effect of social support and loneliness accounts for 16.1% of the relationship between MSM status and depressive symptoms.
  • The study highlights the mental health challenges faced by MSMUS in China.

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Full Text

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