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Protective Factors That Foster Resilience to HIV/AIDS: Insights and Lived Experiences of Older Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

Author

Listed:
  • Renato M. Liboro

    (Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
    Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada)

  • Tammy C. Yates

    (Realize , Toronto, ON M5R 2A7, Canada)

  • Sherry Bell

    (Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA)

  • Brandon Ranuschio

    (Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA)

  • George Da Silva

    (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada)

  • Charles Fehr

    (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada)

  • Francisco Ibañez-Carrasco

    (Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

  • Paul A. Shuper

    (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada
    Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 3M7, Canada)

Abstract

Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) have been disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS health disparities. Research showed that resilience to HIV/AIDS is associated with increased use of relevant health services, lower sexual health risks, and improved mental health outcomes among racially and ethnically diverse gbMSM. As the subpopulation that has historically been impacted by HIV/AIDS the longest, older gbMSM living with HIV/AIDS have inarguably exhibited resilience to HIV/AIDS the most. The qualitative study described in this paper sought to identify and examine protective factors that fostered resilience to HIV/AIDS based on the insights and lived experiences of racially and ethnically diverse, older gbMSM. Applying a community-based participatory research approach that included the meaningful involvement of older gbMSM living with HIV/AIDS in different roles (i.e., advisory committee member, collaborator, peer researcher, and participant), the study recruited and included forty-one older gbMSM living with HIV/AIDS from Ontario, Canada, in confidential, semi-structured interviews. Utilizing thematic analysis, we identified three major themes from the participant interviews as factors that fostered the resilience of older gbMSM to HIV/AIDS and helped to address HIV/AIDS health disparities: (1) established protective factors, (2) behavioral protective factors, and (3) controversial protective factors. This paper argues for the importance of valuing and capitalizing on these protective factors in the conceptualization and development of interventions, services, and programs that are dedicated to fostering resilience to HIV/AIDS.

Suggested Citation

  • Renato M. Liboro & Tammy C. Yates & Sherry Bell & Brandon Ranuschio & George Da Silva & Charles Fehr & Francisco Ibañez-Carrasco & Paul A. Shuper, 2021. "Protective Factors That Foster Resilience to HIV/AIDS: Insights and Lived Experiences of Older Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8548-:d:613576
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bogart, L.M. & Collins, R.L. & Kanouse, D.E. & Cunningham, W. & Beckman, R. & Golinelli, D. & Bird, C.E., 2006. "Patterns and correlates of deliberate abstinence among men and women with HIV/AIDS," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(6), pages 1078-1084.
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    Cited by:

    1. Sherry Bell & Brandon Ranuschio & John M. Waldron & Lianne Barnes & Nadia Sheik-Yosef & Esmeralda Villalobos & Janelle Wackens & Renato M. Liboro, 2023. "Pandemic upon Pandemic: Middle-Aged and Older Men Who Have Sex with Men Living with HIV Coping and Thriving during the Peak of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(11), pages 1-16, May.

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