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01-08-2019 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Original Paper

Sexual Orientation, Religious Coping, and Drug Use in a Sample of HIV-Infected African-American Men Living in the Southern USA

Authors: Linda M. Skalski, Bianca Martin, Christina S. Meade

Published in: Journal of Religion and Health | Issue 4/2019

Abstract

Religiosity and spirituality are associated with reduced drug use in the general population, but it is unclear whether this relationship generalizes to sexual minorities. This study investigated the relationship between religious coping, drug use, and sexual orientation in a sample of HIV-infected African-American men (40 heterosexuals; 64 sexual minorities). Most participants (76%) reported being “moderately” or “very” religious. We found no main effect of religious coping or sexual orientation on frequency of drug use. However, there was an interaction between positive religious coping and sexual orientation. Among heterosexuals, positive religious coping was inversely associated with frequency of drug use. However, this relationship was not significant among sexual minorities. Findings suggest HIV-infected African-American sexual minorities living in the South may need additional coping resources to decrease vulnerability to drug use.

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Title: Sexual Orientation, Religious Coping, and Drug Use in a Sample of HIV-Infected African-American Men Living in the Southern USA
Authors: Linda M. Skalski
Bianca Martin
Christina S. Meade
Publication date: 01-08-2019
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Published in: Journal of Religion and Health / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 0022-4197
Electronic ISSN: 1573-6571
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-019-00791-0

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Sexual Orientation, Religious Coping, and Drug Use in a Sample of HIV-Infected African-American Men Living in the Southern USA

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