Weinrich JD, Heaton RK, Atkinson JH, McCutchan JA, Grant I; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: C373 (abstract no. PoC 4785).
University of California, San Diego.
OBJECTIVES: Studies long before the AIDS epidemic suggested that male homosexuals may on average have different body builds, grip strength, and motor skills than male heterosexuals do. Since AIDS affects body build through weight loss, and may affect motor skills and grip strength through muscle wasting, it is important to ascertain which aspects of sexual orientation are associated with these dependent variables. This research tested the hypothesis that high childhood gender nonconformity (CGN) is associated with poorer motor skills and a thinner body build, and so might account for differences in motor impairment among samples of homosexuals. Since heterosexual and homosexual samples usually differ on average CGN, this variable may explain the heterosexual/homosexual differences previously reported as well. METHODS: A total of 308 homosexual/bisexual male subjects were assessed for motor skill (Grip strength, Tapping speed, and Grooved Pegboard--corrected for age, sex, and education--as well as a clinician's blind rating of motor impairment, or BRMI), CGN (Freund Feminine Gender Identity scale, or FGI), height, and weight. Since depression can affect neuropsychological performance, it was also assessed (Hamilton and Beck). Simple regressions were followed by a series of stepwise multiple regressions. RESULTS: In simple regressions, highly gender-nonconforming men (high FGI scores) were more likely to be depressed, were of lighter weight, had lower grip strength and finger tapping speed, slower pegboard times (nondominant hand) and were more likely to be rated as motor impaired (BRMI) than low-FGI men. No association with pegboard time was seen in the dominant hand. Stepwise multiple regression suggested that the association of FGI with lower weight was responsible for some but not all of these results. High FGI remained significantly associated with Grip nondominant hand even controlling for height and weight, and an FGI factor was the first and only variable to enter the regression for pegboard nondominant hand. CONCLUSIONS: In homosexual men, high CGN is associated with poorer motor performance. The hypothesis that body build (as represented by weight) would intervene in this relationship was supported, but significant independent effects of FGI on grip were also detected. Studies with substantial percentages of homosexual men may need to control for FGI, in order to insure comparability across such samples or between samples with differing percentages of homosexual and heterosexual men.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Bisexuality
- Body Height
- Body Weight
- Depression
- Depressive Disorder
- Female
- Gender Identity
- Homosexuality
- Homosexuality, Male
- Humans
- Male
- Mood Disorders
- Motor Skills
- Nutritional Status
- Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Weights and Measures
Other ID:
UI: 102200167
From Meeting Abstracts