Shame and blame and its influence on male gay (chaay rak chaay) quality of life in Bangkok Thailand: a health promotion community nursing perspective
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-12-2016-0054 |
| Published date | 18 September 2017 |
| Pages | 113-122 |
| Date | 18 September 2017 |
| Author | Praditporn Pongtriang,Anthony Paul O’Brien,Jane Maguire |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Public mental health |
Shame and blame and its influence on
male gay (chaay rak chaay) quality of life
in Bangkok Thailand: a health promotion
community nursing perspective
Praditporn Pongtriang, Anthony Paul O’Brien and Jane Maguire
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore gay male informant experiences of discrimination and
stigma in Bangkok from a health promotion community nursing perspective.
Design/methodology/approach –Semi -structured in-depth intervi ews were conducted with 30
informants and included field work observations at eight entertainment venues. Data analysis utilised an
inductive thematic approach.
Findings –Key themes that emerged from the data were related to communication, particularly the use of
smart phone applications; lack of privacy in health services; sexual exploitation by entertainment venues; and
concerns about coming out safely to protect self-esteem and mental health.
Originality/value –Development of key mental health promotion messages based on a greater
understanding and knowledge of discrimination and stigma may help to reduce negative behaviour and
stigmatisation towards Thai gay men in Bangkok.
Keywords HIV, Health promotion, Mental health, Discrimination, Stigma, Gay male
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Stigma and discrimination are problematic for gay men and factors related to mental illness,
disability, race, religion, prostitution and drug addiction contribute to this occurring (Frye et al.,
2015). In Bangkok, Thailand, non-acceptance of men who have sex with men (MSM) and who
may be at higher risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) adds to the likelihood
that stigma and discrimination will be experienced. It is also evident for the Bangkok gay
community that despite an initial decline in infection rates in MSM the prevalence of HIV is
increasing (Bureau of Epidemiology, 2015). This paper provides a community nursing health
promotion response towards understanding the issues about HIV for gay men living in Bangkok.
Managing the HIV infection rate in Thailand is a serious issue for everyone, but for gay men this is
even more challenging (UNAIDS, 2012). This is particularly the case when the incidence of
unprotected sexual intercourse is reported to be higher in MSM and this factor contributes to
greater social and cultural isolation for them (Holt et al., 2011; Phillips et al., 2011; Heath et al.,
2012; Prestage et al., 2012; Sirivongrangson et al., 2012). In a Buddhist country such as
Thailand, where mainstream sexual practices are firmly anchored in heterosexuality and where
HIV incidence is increasing overall, gay men appear to be experiencing another layer of unwanted
social attention not experienced by the heterosexual community.
Discrimination and stigma effectively limit Thaigaymenfromfullparticipationinthepluralist
mainstream. The conceptof “stigma”has long been associated withthe notion of misalignment and
marginalisation of individuals who are different from mainstream accepted groups a ndpe rsuasions.
Received 3 December 2016
Revised 13 June 2017
Accepted 14 June 2017
Conflict of interests: the authors
declare that there is no conflict of
interests regarding the publication
of this paper.
Praditporn Pongtriang is based
at the Faculty of Nursing,
Suratthani Rajabhat University,
Surat Thani, Thailand.
Anthony Paul O’Brien is a
Professor at the School of
Nursing and Midwifery, The
University of Newcastle,
Newcastle, Australia.
Jane Maguire is a Professor at
the Department of Health,
University of Technology
Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
DOI 10.1108/JPMH-12-2016-0054 VOL. 16 NO. 3 2017, pp. 113-122, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729
j
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTALHEALTH
j
PAG E 11 3
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