Motivations for sexualised drug use among sexual and gender minorities : a scoping review
Cano Ruiz, Oscar (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Social)
Íñiguez Rueda, Lupicinio (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Psicologia Social)

Date:	2026
Abstract:	Introduction: Research on sexualised drug use (SDU) among sexual and gender minorities (SGM) has primarily focused on risks, associated harms, and predisposing factors, with less attention given to the underlying motivations. This scoping review maps and synthesises qualitative and mixed-methods evidence on SDU motivations among SGM, providing a comprehensive overview of the available literature. Methods: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched PubMed and the Biblioteca Virtual de Salud (BVS). The initial search, conducted in October 2023, was limited to studies published in English or Spanish within the past five years and yielded 9,261 publications, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. To ensure currency, an updated search was carried out in September 2025, applying the same strategy and identifying 10 additional records. Results: Thematic analysis identified six key motivations for engaging in SDU: enhancing sexual performance, facilitating experimentation, building social capital, fostering intimacy, coping and self-transformation, and as a tool for sex work. Conclusions: This review highlight that SDU are multifaceted and context-dependent, reflecting both individual and socio-cultural dimensions. Unlike most earlier reviews focused on gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM), this study also incorporates evidence from broader sexual and gender minority populations. Policy implications: Findings underscore the need for public health frameworks that move beyond risk-centres approaches and recognise the social, cultural, and relational dimensions of SDU among SGM.
Note:	Altres ajuts: acords transformatius de la UAB
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article de revisió ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Sexualised drug use ; Sexual and gender minorities ; Scoping review ; Sexual health ; Chemsex ; Party and play (PnP)
Published in:	Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 2026 , ISSN 1868-9884

DOI: 10.1007/s13178-026-01287-9

13 p, 1.1 MB

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Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles