Homosexuality and illegal residency status in relation to substance abuse and personality traits among Mexican nationals

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Abstract
Maladaptive behavioral and personality reactions to severe stressors among Mexican homosexual men were assessed by comparing substance abuse and Rorschach data obtained from three samples: (a) homosexuals residing illegally in the United States (n = 40), (b) homosexuals living in Mexico (n = 21) and (c) heterosexuals living illegally in the United States (n = 25). The results of orthogonal contrasts showed very similar personality structure and substance abuse patterns among the participants in the two homosexual groups. As predicted, these men were found to be using alcohol or drugs to a greater extent than the heterosexual controls. Rorschach findings indicated that the homosexual subjects were experiencing dysphoric mood and distorted perceptions; they were also having significant difficulties coping with an environment that was discerned as increasingly dangerous. These results are relevant to the stress reduction hypothesis of addiction and provide quantitative information regarding the extent of psychopathology in this underserved Hispanic population.

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