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The Relationship of Religiosity, Spirituality, Substance Abuse, and Depression Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

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Abstract

HIV infection rates continue to disproportionately affect Black men who have sex with men (Black MSM) compared to other groups. Research has shown that higher rates of substance use and higher levels of depression are positively correlated with higher sexual risk behavior, and little research has examined relationships between high levels of religiosity and spirituality prevalent in Black culture and issues of substance use and depression among Black MSM. This study did just that and found a relationship between religiosity, spirituality, and risk behavior. These relationships suggest that future HIV prevention models might incorporate religiosity and spirituality to increase the efficacy of risk reduction interventions for Black MSM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 440 West 21st Street, New York, NY, 10011, USA

    Tommie L. Watkins Jr.

  2. The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Cathy Simpson, Stacey S. Cofield, Susan Davies & Connie Kohler

  3. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    Stuart Usdan

Authors
  1. Tommie L. Watkins Jr.
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  2. Cathy Simpson
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  3. Stacey S. Cofield
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  4. Susan Davies
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  5. Connie Kohler
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  6. Stuart Usdan
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Correspondence to Tommie L. Watkins Jr..

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Watkins, T.L., Simpson, C., Cofield, S.S. et al. The Relationship of Religiosity, Spirituality, Substance Abuse, and Depression Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM). J Relig Health 55, 255–268 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0101-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-015-0101-y

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