Chemsex, identity processes and coping among gay and bisexual men

Abstract

Purpose

Chemsex constitutes a significant public health concern among gay and bisexual men (GBM). Using the identity process theory, this study focuses on GBM’s motivations for engaging in chemsex and the functions that the practice performs for constructing a positive sense of self and for coping with psychological stress.

Design/methodology/approach

Sixteen GBM were interviewed, and the qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

Individuals reported facing various stressors, such as homonegativity, rejection and HIV stigma, which were threatening for self-esteem and distinctiveness. There was habitual use of deflection (e.g. denial and self-concealment) for coping with these stressors. Chemsex enabled some interviewees to engage in more elaborate forms of deflection, such as transient depersonalization, compartmentalization and fantasy.

Originality/value

In contrast to the risk-focused analyses of chemsex, this study provides a novel identity-based approach to understanding GBM’s motivations for engaging in chemsex and focuses on the functions that chemsex may perform for identity processes.

Citation

Jaspal, R. (2021), "Chemsex, identity processes and coping among gay and bisexual men", Drugs and Alcohol Today, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 345-355. https://doi.org/10.1108/DAT-12-2020-0083