Illustration symbolizing the mental health journey of African gay and bisexual migrants.

Beyond Borders: Understanding Mental Health in Migrant African Gay and Bisexual Men

Avery Sinclair in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 3 min read.

"New research sheds light on the unique challenges faced by recently migrated African GBM in the U.S., linking substance use and depression to experiences in both home and host countries."

Migration can be a transformative experience, filled with both opportunities and challenges. For African gay and bisexual men (GBM) migrating to the United States, this journey often involves navigating a complex web of social, cultural, and personal adjustments. Recent research has begun to highlight the unique mental health challenges faced by this population, revealing a concerning link between migration-related stress, substance use, and depression.

A groundbreaking study published in the Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health delves into the experiences of recently migrated African GBM, uncovering the factors that contribute to their mental health struggles. The findings underscore the importance of understanding both pre- and post-migration stressors to provide effective support and interventions.

This article breaks down the key insights from this research, offering a comprehensive overview of the issues at hand and exploring potential pathways to improved mental health and well-being for migrant African GBM. The challenges faced by this community call for tailored mental health support.

Unpacking the Research: Key Findings

Illustration symbolizing the mental health journey of African gay and bisexual migrants.

The study, conducted in New York City, involved 70 recently migrated African GBM who completed a structured questionnaire. The researchers sought to identify correlates of substance use and depression, examining a range of factors from experiences in their home countries to current challenges in the U.S.

The results revealed several significant associations:

Substance Use: Factors independently associated with current substance use included age, openness about sexual orientation, homophobic experiences in home country, forced sex in home country, current housing instability, and internalized homophobia.
Depression: Factors independently associated with depression were post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol use.
Interconnected Struggles: Substance use and depression were both linked to negative experiences in both home and host countries, highlighting the cumulative impact of these stressors.

These findings paint a clear picture of the interconnected challenges faced by migrant African GBM. Experiences of homophobia, violence, and instability in their home countries can create lasting trauma, while resettlement challenges in the U.S. further exacerbate mental health issues. This is supported by past studies [9-12] that link migration to substance abuse and mental health outcomes.

Moving Forward: Implications and Recommendations

This research offers valuable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations working with migrant African GBM. By understanding the unique challenges faced by this population, we can develop more effective interventions and support systems. This requires a multi-pronged approach:

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s10903-018-0849-8, Alternate LINK

Title: Substance Use And Depression Among Recently Migrated African Gay And Bisexual Men Living In The United States

Subject: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Journal: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Adedotun Ogunbajo, Chukwuemeka Anyamele, Arjee J. Restar, Curtis Dolezal, Theodorus G. M. Sandfort

Published: 2018-12-14

Everything You Need To Know

What were the key findings of the study on mental health challenges of recently migrated African gay and bisexual men (GBM) in the U.S.?

The study, conducted in New York City, involved 70 recently migrated African gay and bisexual men (GBM) who completed a structured questionnaire. The research identified several factors independently associated with current substance use included age, openness about sexual orientation, homophobic experiences in their home country, forced sex in their home country, current housing instability, and internalized homophobia. Additionally, factors independently associated with depression were post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and alcohol use. These challenges call for tailored mental health support.

How do experiences in both home and host countries contribute to mental health challenges for migrant African gay and bisexual men (GBM)?

Experiences of homophobia, violence, and instability in their home countries can create lasting trauma for African gay and bisexual men (GBM). Resettlement challenges in the U.S. like housing instability can further exacerbate mental health issues, leading to substance use and depression. It is important to note intersectionality is at play here, as individual experiences will vary.

How can the findings of this research be used to improve the well-being of migrant African gay and bisexual men (GBM)?

Healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations can use the research to develop more effective interventions and support systems tailored to migrant African gay and bisexual men (GBM). This involves addressing both pre- and post-migration stressors, providing culturally competent mental health services, and creating inclusive and supportive environments. This requires a multi-pronged approach.

What kind of treatments are available for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) since the study links PTSD to depression in recently migrated African gay and bisexual men (GBM)?

The study specifically highlights the correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and depression in recently migrated African gay and bisexual men (GBM). While the research identifies this link, it doesn't delve into specific therapeutic interventions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, or culturally adapted therapies may be relevant. Further research could explore the efficacy of different treatment modalities for this population.

How does internalized homophobia affect the mental health and well-being of recently migrated African gay and bisexual men (GBM), particularly regarding substance use?

Internalized homophobia plays a significant role in substance use among recently migrated African gay and bisexual men (GBM). Internalized homophobia refers to the internalization of negative societal attitudes and beliefs about homosexuality. This can lead to feelings of shame, self-hatred, and low self-esteem, which may increase the risk of substance use as a coping mechanism. This is a significant stressor to be aware of.