Loneliness and Self-Rated Physical Health Among Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have Sex with Men in Vancouver, Canada

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Due to stigma and discrimination, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) potentially carry a heightened burden of loneliness. This analysis investigates loneliness among gbMSM and its’ relationship with self-rated physical health, along with the mediating effect of depression.

METHODS:

Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling into the Momentum Health Study (February 2012-February 2015) with follow-up visits occurring every six months to February 2018. Using computer-assisted self-interviews, measures of loneliness were assessed using a 6-item Loneliness Scale for Emotional and Social Loneliness (lonely vs. not lonely). Current physical health was self-assessed (poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent). A multivariable generalized linear mixed model with a logit link function was used to examine the relationship between loneliness and self-rated physical health. We further investigated the mediating effect of depressive symptomatology on this relationship, via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

RESULTS:

Of 770 participants included, we found that 61% ( n=471) experienced loneliness at baseline. Of the 674 (88%) who reported good/very good/excellent physical health, 59% ( n=391) reported loneliness, compared with 87% ( n=80) of those in poor/fair self-rated physical health who reported feeling lonely. After adjustment for confounding, loneliness was associated with poor self-rated physical health (adjusted Odds Ratio: 1.71; 95%Confidence Interval: 1.13–2.60). Depressive symptomatology was found to partially mediate this relationship.

CONCLUSION:

There may be a need for the integration of social, mental and physical health programming, targeted towards gbMSM, to alleviate the degree of loneliness experienced and its co-occurrence with poor self-rated physical health.