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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Mood Disorders | Research article

The association between involuntary subordination and common mental disorders among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China

Authors: Shuxian Zhang, Suping Wang, Zezhou Wang, Ying Wang, Xueqin Jiang, Gang Xu, Yong Cai

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Involuntary subordination is a mechanism that switches off fighting behaviors when a losing organism is unable to continue in a struggle. The study aim was to investigate the association between involuntary subordination and the common mental disorders of anxiety and depression among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted of 547 MSM in four Shanghai districts. Sociodemographic and psychosocial participant data were collected. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between anxiety, depression, and involuntary subordination.

Results

12.2 and 30.9% Of the MSM demonstrated high levels of anxiety and depression respectively. Univariate analysis showed that involuntary subordination and the involuntary subordination constructs of defeat, social comparison, submissive behavior, and entrapment were associated with anxiety and depression. Multivariate analysis indicated that defeat (ORm = 1.091, 95% CI = 1.004–1.185) and entrapment (ORm = 1.174, 95% CI = 1.079–1.278) were significantly associated with anxiety. Defeat (ORm = 1.265, 95% CI = 1.166–1.372), social comparison (ORm = 1.119, 95% CI = 1.061–1.181), entrapment (ORm = 1.132, 95% CI = 1.047–1.224), and submissive behavior (ORm = 0.897, 95% CI = 0.825–0.975) were significantly associated with depression.

Conclusions

The findings confirmed an association between anxiety, depression, and involuntary subordination among MSM. These findings could form the basis of a new, integrated, and holistic approach to the identification of high-risk groups and the development of interventions for anxiety and depression among MSM.
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Metadata
Title
The association between involuntary subordination and common mental disorders among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Shanghai, China
Authors
Shuxian Zhang
Suping Wang
Zezhou Wang
Ying Wang
Xueqin Jiang
Gang Xu
Yong Cai
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-019-2329-7

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