Research regarding the impact of racism on stress among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is sparse. Secondary data were assessed from a 2018–2020 national mHealth prevention trial for YMSM aged 13–18 years (N = 542). Linear regression models examined associations between perceived stress and interpersonal and vicarious racism, adjusting for covariates. Stratified models by race/ethnicity were included. A subanalysis (n = 288) examined associations between nine interpersonal racial discriminatory events and perceived stress. Over 50% of participants experienced racial discrimination. In the multivariable models, exposure to interpersonal (ß = 1.43, p-value: .038) and vicarious (ß = 1.77, p-value: .008) racism was associated with perceived stress because there were four interpersonal racial discriminatory events. Stratified analysis by race/ethnicity found significant associations between interpersonal and vicarious racism and perceived stress among some racial/ethnic groups. Racial discrimination was common among YMSM, making them susceptible to the possible effects of vicarious and interpersonal racism on stress.
A cross-sectional study of perceived stress and racial discrimination among a national sample of young men who have sex with men
Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 34 (3), 226-237. doi: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000407.