Multi-Level Modeling to Explain Methamphetamine Use Among Gay and Bisexual Men

The authors undertook the present study to examine "the complex behavioral and psychological motivations behind methamphetamine use, particularly over time," among men who have sex with men (MSM). The research was designed to identify the trajectories for methamphetamine use, explore factors related to meth use, and identify factors that predict changes in use over a year. Hierarchical linear modeling was employed to identify meth use trajectories and to study factors related to meth use patterns.

A sample of 293 MSM who reported meth use at baseline was pulled from Project BUMPS (Boys Using Multiple Party Substances), a longitudinal, mixed-methodology study of 450 MSM drug users. Quantitative measures in four waves of data collection (baseline, four months, eight months, and 12 months post-baseline) were used to assess study subjects.

The researchers found that frequency of meth use is related to reliance on it to avoid unpleasant emotions and physical discomfort, outcome expectancies for use, and combining it with Viagra. MSM with higher levels of drug-related sensation-seeking and those who use meth together with Viagra show more consistent use over time. A decrease in use was noted for most of the participants.

"Longitudinal analyses support the idea that methamphetamine is used by gay men to mask feelings of discomfort and to enhance sensations as well as sexual pleasure," the researchers concluded. "Longitudinal non-intervention studies of drug use may have intervention-like effects."

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