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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

Author

Listed:
  • 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)

  • John M. Waldron

    (LGBTQIA+ Community Center of Southern Nevada (The Center), Las Vegas, NV 89101, USA)

  • Lianne Barnes

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

  • Nadia Sheik-Yosef

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

  • Esmeralda Villalobos

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

  • Janelle Wackens

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

  • Renato M. Liboro

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

Abstract

When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in early 2020, not only did it abruptly impede the progress that was being made toward achieving global targets to end the HIV pandemic, but it also created significant impacts on the physical and mental health of middle-aged and older men who have sex with men living with HIV. Utilizing a qualitative, community-based participatory research approach, we conducted semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with 16 ethnoracially diverse, middle-aged and older men who have sex with men living with HIV residing in Southern Nevada, to examine the different ways the COVID-19 pandemic directly impacted their physical and mental health, and explore how they eventually coped and thrived during the peak of the crisis. Using thematic analysis to analyze our interview data, we identified three prominent themes: (1) challenges to obtaining credible health information, (2) the physical and mental health impacts of the COVID-19-pandemic-imposed social isolation, and (3) digital technologies and online connections for medical and social purposes. In this article, we extensively discuss these themes, the current discourse on these themes in academic literature, and how the perspectives, input, and lived experiences of our participants during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic could be critical to addressing issues they had already been experiencing prior to the emergence of the pandemic in 2020, and just as importantly, helping us best prepare in stark anticipation of the next potentially devastating pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:11:p:5979-:d:1157958
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Renato M. Liboro & Sherry Bell & Brandon Ranuschio & Lianne Barnes & Jenna Despres & Aruna Sedere & Trinity Puno & Paul A. Shuper, 2021. "Barriers and Facilitators to Promoting Resilience to HIV/AIDS: A Qualitative Study on the Lived Experiences of HIV-Positive, Racial and Ethnic Minority, Middle-Aged and Older Men Who Have Sex with Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-18, July.
    2. Nicola Döring & Melisa Conde & Karlheinz Brandenburg & Wolfgang Broll & Horst-Michael Gross & Stephan Werner & Alexander Raake, 2022. "Can Communication Technologies Reduce Loneliness and Social Isolation in Older People? A Scoping Review of Reviews," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Renato M. Liboro & Paul A. Shuper & Lori E. Ross, 2021. "Scaling Up Information Sharing on HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: Raising Awareness and Knowledge Among Key Stakeholders," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(2), pages 21582440211, May.
    4. 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.
    5. Tiffany Chenneville & Kemesha Gabbidon & Patricia Hanson & Cashea Holyfield, 2020. "The Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Treatment and Research: A Call to Action," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-14, June.
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