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 from Ontario, Canada

Renato M. Liboro, Sherry Bell, Brandon Ranuschio, Lianne Barnes, Jenna Despres, Aruna Sedere, Trinity Puno and Paul A. Shuper
Additional contact information
Renato M. Liboro: Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
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
Lianne Barnes: Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
Jenna Despres: Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
Aruna Sedere: Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
Trinity Puno: Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
Paul A. Shuper: Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON M5S 2S1, Canada

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: Evidence-based research has highlighted the need for exploring factors that support the mental health of men who have sex with men living with HIV/AIDS (MSMLWH), and environmental influences that promote their resilience to HIV/AIDS. This exploratory study utilized a community-based participatory research approach to investigate barriers and facilitators to promoting resilience to HIV/AIDS, specifically among racial and ethnic minority, middle-aged and older MSMLWH, a population that continues to be significantly impacted by HIV/AIDS today. This collaborative, qualitative study recruited participants who identified as racial or ethnic minority MSMLWH, were aged 40 or older, and resided in Ontario, Canada. Participants ( n = 24) discussed in their interviews barriers and facilitators to promoting resilience to HIV/AIDS, which they recognized from their lived experiences. Utilizing thematic analysis, themes related to barriers and facilitators to promoting resilience to HIV/AIDS were identified. Themes related to identified barriers included: (1) language proficiency, (2) racism, (3) pernicious norms in North American gay culture, and (4) HIV stigma. Themes related to identified facilitators included: (1) compartmentalization, (2) perseverance, and (3) community-based health and social services. This article discusses the implications of the study’s findings, particularly on how they may influence the development of future services for racial and ethnic minority, middle-aged and older MSMLWH.

Keywords: barriers and facilitators; resilience to HIV/AIDS; racial and ethnic minority; middle-aged and older; men who have sex with men (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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