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Foley J, Batchelder AW, Bernier L, Glynn T, Moskowitz J, Carrico A. Facets of mindfulness are associated with inflammation biomarkers in a sample of sexual minority men with HIV. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024:1-16. [PMID: 39315986 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2024.2407445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Sexual minority men (SMM) are disproportionately impacted by HIV and thus, HIV related-health complications. HIV has been linked to earlier onset of multi-morbid chronic diseases and declines in physical and cognitive functioning attributable to chronic HIV immune activation and resulting inflammation. Inflammation has been targeted with mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs); however, hypothesized negative associations between mindfulness and inflammation need to be confirmed in SMM with HIV. This is a secondary data analysis of baseline data from a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of SMM living with HIV with biologically confirmed recent methamphetamine use (ARTEMIS). Mindfulness was assessed with the Five Factor Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). Inflammation was assessed via cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Separate adjusted (for age, viral load, CD4 count, and methamphetamine use) regression models evaluated associations between four facets of mindfulness (description, awareness, non-judgement, and non-reactivity) with IL-6 and TNF-α. The average age of the participants was 43.86 (SD = 8.95). Both description (b = .54, se = .24) and awareness (b = .50, se=.23) were positively associated with IL-6. All other associations between mindfulness and inflammation were non-significant in adjusted models. There was also some evidence to suggest that engagement in care moderated associations between description and non-reactivity with IL-6 (ΔR2 = .03, F = 3.64), such that description and non-reactivity were each positively associated with inflammation among those who attended <100% of primary care appointments (b = 1.04, se=.34 and b = 1.23, se=.39, respectively), but was not associated with inflammation among those who attended 100% of appointments (b =.16, se=.32 and b=-.17, se=.40, respectively). There was also a significant interaction between 12-step program attendance and awareness with IL-6 (ΔR2= .03, F = 4.26), such that awareness was positively associated with inflammation among those who attended 12-step programming (b = 1.25, se = .41), but not associated with inflammation among those who did not (b = .22, se = .28). Further research is needed to understand how and under what circumstances mindfulness is associated with pro- versus anti-inflammatory processes.Trial Registration: NCT01926184.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacklyn Foley
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail W Batchelder
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tiffany Glynn
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Judith Moskowitz
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Adam Carrico
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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Meanley S, Brennan-Ing M, Cook JA, Brown AL, Haberlen SA, Palella FJ, Shoptaw SJ, Ware D, Egan JE, Friedman MR, Plankey MW. Psychometric Assessment of a Homophobia Management Scale Among Cisgender Sexual Minority Men in Midlife and Older Adulthood. PSYCHOLOGY OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER DIVERSITY 2024; 11:316-327. [PMID: 39247672 PMCID: PMC11379366 DOI: 10.1037/sgd0000600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Interpersonal management of homophobic stigma (e.g., selectively constructing one's social network; confronting stigma) is an understudied area of resilience among sexual minority people. Among a sample of cisgender sexual minority men (SMM; N = 798) in midlife and older adulthood, we assessed the psychometric properties and characterized the sociodemographic differences of our newly developed, theory-informed homophobia management scale. Data come from the Healthy Aging substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, which is a prospective longitudinal study implemented to evaluate the natural trajectories of HIV risk and treatment among sexual minority men. Guided by the proactive coping processes model, the Healthy Aging team proposed eight items to measure homophobia management, which were included at four waves of survey data collection completed at semiannual study visits. Using factor analyses and linear regressions, we assessed our scale's construct validity, convergent validity, and internal consistency, and characterized scores by age, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and HIV status. Factor analyses yielded a six-item scale with adequate construct validity and acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .69). Our final scale exhibited convergent validity given its statistically significant inverse association with internalized homophobia and positive association with psychological connections to the gay community. Bivariate differences in homophobia management emerged by age, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation but were not statistically significant in multivariable analyses. Our study provides a validated, unidimensional scale to assess homophobia management among SMM in midlife and older adulthood. We provide recommendations to improve the implementation of our scale in future surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
| | - Mark Brennan-Ing
- Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging at Hunter College, City University of New York
| | - Judith A Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
| | - Andre L Brown
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
| | - Sabina A Haberlen
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
| | - Frank J Palella
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Steven J Shoptaw
- Departments of Family Medicine and Psychiatry and Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Deanna Ware
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center
| | - James E Egan
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
| | - Mackey R Friedman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health
| | - Michael W Plankey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center
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de Oliveira Santos JV, de Araújo LF. The Homophobia Course in the Life of Older Gay Men in Brazil: Their Social Representations. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024; 71:958-974. [PMID: 38314987 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2022.2160682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
This study aims at understanding the social representations of homophobia among older gay men. A number of 20 older gay men aged between 60 and 75 years old participated of the study; the average age was 63.25 years old (SD = 3.58). In the data collection, a semi-structured interview about homophobia was used; they were analyzed on IRAMUTEQ, which compiles the descendant hierarchical classification. The corpus was divided into three classes of social representations. The first representation comprises images of prejudice within society. The second one presents social representations involving reports of internalized homophobia and the experiencing of prejudice. The third one shows social representations about physical and identity violations. The social representations of homophobia show how the participants lead their actions in society, being based upon risk and protection issues to face the objective and subjective difficulties present in their social representations.
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Nguyen J, Anderson J, Pepping CA. A systematic review and research agenda of internalized sexual stigma in sexual minority individuals: Evidence from longitudinal and intervention studies. Clin Psychol Rev 2024; 108:102376. [PMID: 38218122 DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2023.102376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Internalized sexual stigma is a well-established risk factor for poor mental health among sexual minority individuals. However, there has been no synthesis of the literature pertaining to risk and protective factors that influence the development of internalized sexual stigma over time. This systematic review presents findings from 31 studies addressing this question (n = 9192); 23 studies examined psychosocial and sociodemographic predictors of internalized sexual stigma among sexual minority individuals, and eight studies tested the effects of psychological interventions on internalized sexual stigma. Longitudinal studies highlight the stability of internalized sexual stigma over time, and the role of stigma and discrimination, proximal minority stressors (e.g., outness, concealment), and psychological factors (e.g., depressive and anxious symptoms, coping styles, and demoralization) in predicting subsequent internalized sexual stigma. Demographic factors appear to play only a limited role in predicting subsequent internalized sexual stigma. Finally, most intervention studies found no significant effects in reducing internalized sexual stigma, with three exceptions finding significant intervention effects among young sexual minority individuals. We conclude by outlining a theory-driven model of internalized stigma and a research agenda to test more nuanced models of internalized stigma that include multifactorial risk indices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Nguyen
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Joel Anderson
- Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; Institute for Positive Psychology and Education, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher A Pepping
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia; Department of Psychology, Counselling and Therapy, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Kromholz G, Barak A. The Experience of Loneliness Among Gay Men in Israel: A Qualitative Study. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2023; 70:2784-2805. [PMID: 35604306 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2022.2076575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the experience of loneliness among Israeli gay men in their early and mid-adulthood, ages 30-50 (N = 14). The findings demonstrate three main categories of loneliness that study participants experienced: childhood loneliness as an initial experience of gay identity; loneliness in the context of other gay men, via sexual encounters, friendships, and the use of dating apps; and loneliness in the context of heterosexual society. The findings point to the centrality of the experience of loneliness among Israeli gay men in their mid-adulthood years and emphasize how this loneliness is rooted in socio-cultural and political perceptions concerning hetero-normative as well as gay identities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Golan Kromholz
- The Louis & Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Adi Barak
- The Louis & Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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Lee F, Jain JP, Duthely LM, Ikeda J, Santos GM. Stimulant Use Associated With Psychosocial Factors, HIV Risk, and Concurrent Hazardous Alcohol Use Among US Adults: Exploratory Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e45717. [PMID: 37590045 PMCID: PMC10472175 DOI: 10.2196/45717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stimulant use is a major public health problem that contributes to morbidity and mortality among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. To reduce the harms associated with stimulant use, there is a need to identify the factors associated with stimulant use to inform interventions. Additionally, there is a need to use large crowdsourcing platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to engage more individuals who use substances across the United States. OBJECTIVE We identified the correlates of stimulant use among people who use alcohol or stimulants in the United States recruited using MTurk. METHODS Participants who were aged ≥18 years in the United States and reported alcohol or stimulant (ie, cocaine, crack cocaine, and methamphetamine) use were deemed eligible and recruited via the web platform MTurk. Participants completed a baseline survey, which assessed sociodemographics, psychosocial (ie, depression, affect, self-esteem, and stress) factors, substance use, and sexual behaviors. Data were collected and analyzed with STATA (version 17; StataCorp). Stratifying by MSM status, bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were built in STATA to examine the correlates of stimulant use. Multivariable models controlled for age, race, health insurance, and relationship status. RESULTS Of 272 participants, 201 (73.9%) identified as male, 134 (49.2%) were MSM, 52 (19.1%) were from racial and ethnic minoritized communities, and 158 (58%) were in a relationship. The mean age was 36.10 (SD 10.3) years. A total of 40 (14.7%) participants reported stimulant use in the past 6 months. Factors significantly associated with stimulant use were being MSM (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.61, 95% CI 1.97-10.81), a higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Concise score (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.08-1.42), more intense cravings for alcohol in the past 24 hours (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01-1.04), a higher depression score (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.01-1.12), a greater number of male partners in the last 6 months (aOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.08-1.61), a greater number of female partners in the last 6 months (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.04-1.92), and being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection (eg, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, human papillomavirus, and other) in the last 6 months (aOR 14.61, 95% CI 3.45-61.87). Additionally, there was a significant additive interaction between MSM status and negative affect, such that the impact of negative affect on stimulant use was significantly greater among MSM compared with non-MSM (relative excess risk due to interaction 0.085, 95% CI 0.037-0.13). CONCLUSIONS Interventions that address stimulant use should use evidence-based approaches that reduce negative affect, depression, and cravings for alcohol. Additionally, interventions should be customized for MSM populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Lee
- Center on Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Payaal Jain
- Center on Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Lunthita M Duthely
- Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
- Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Janet Ikeda
- Center on Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Glenn-Milo Santos
- Center on Substance Use and Health, San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Community Health Systems, School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Division of Prevention Science, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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Perry N, Goldenberg T, Huebner D, Brown AL, Ware D, Meanley S, Haberlen S, Brennan-Ing M, Egan JE, Teplin L, Ho K, Detels R, Friedman MR, Plankey M. Longitudinal associations of relationship support and strain and internalized homophobia with mental health among middle-aged and older gay and bisexual men. Aging Ment Health 2023; 27:1609-1618. [PMID: 36415908 PMCID: PMC10200824 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2146656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: Mental health concerns (e.g. depression, anxiety) that negatively impact gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) persist over the life course and into old age, but less is known about potential contributors to GBMSM's mental health. Close relationships can be a source of risk or resilience from stress, exerting direct relationships on mental health, and may mediate well-established associations between minority stress and mental health. This study examined whether primary partner relationship support and strain were uniquely associated with, and mediated the association between internalized homophobia, and mental health among older GBMSM.Methods: GBMSM (N = 517, M age = 60) from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, who were in primary relationships with men, provided self-report data at four timepoints. We used multilevel modeling to examine longitudinal associations among relationship support and strain and internalized homophobia with depression and anxiety.Results: Relationship strain, but not support, was positively associated with mental health concerns longitudinally. There was a significant, positive indirect effect of internalized homophobia on depression and anxiety through strain, but no support. Internalized homophobia was positively associated with relationship strain, which was positively associated with mental health symptoms longitudinally.Conclusions: Relationship strain was associated with depression and anxiety longitudinally among middle-aged and older GBMSM and mediated associations of internalized homophobia with mental health. The role of partner support warrants further investigation. Mental health interventions are critically needed for older GBMSM and, for partnered GBMSM, should include strategies for reducing relationship strain to foster well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Perry
- Department of Psychology, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Tamar Goldenberg
- Department of Public Health Education, School of Health and Human Sciences, UNC Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA
| | - David Huebner
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, USA
| | | | - Deanna Ware
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Steven Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sabina Haberlen
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark Brennan-Ing
- Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
| | - James E Egan
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Linda Teplin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ken Ho
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Roger Detels
- Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Reuel Friedman
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Michael Plankey
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C., USA
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Sepúlveda-Páez G, Santibañez-Palma JF, Ferrer-Urbina R, Atencio D, Bucarei P, Castillo J, Fuentes M, Zumarán B. Internalized homophobia and sexual risk behavior in men who have sex with men: The mediational role of sexual self-concept. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1007749. [PMID: 36312057 PMCID: PMC9614244 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1007749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are one of the populations most likely to be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) worldwide. Sexual risk behaviors (SRB) are the main route of HIV transmission. Among the factors associated with SRB, internalized homophobia (rejection of one's sexuality) is a risk factor unique for MSM. However, how this factor influences SRB is not clear. Therefore, the present study attempts to clarify the mechanism of action of the relationship between internalized homophobia on SRB based on the mediating effects of sexual self-concept. A study was conducted with 124 MSM living in Chile over 18 years of age (M = 24.4 and SD = 4.19). Through path analysis, it was observed that internalized homophobia has slight inverse effects on SRBs (multiple sexual partners and sexual activity under the influence of alcohol or drugs) when the sexual self-efficacy dimension acts as a mediating variable. These findings suggest that developing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS prevention campaigns focused on MSM must highlight the development of a healthy sexual self-concept and address self-stigma.
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9
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Munn M, James D. Internalized Homophobia and Suicide Ideation Among Sexual Minority Adults: The Serial Mediation of Core Self-Evaluations and Depression. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:3417-3430. [PMID: 36044126 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02316-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Internalized homophobia (IH) is the endorsement of negative attitudes and stereotypes about sexual minority individuals among those who are LGBQ + . However, although IH is associated with suicide ideation, the underlying mechanisms of this association are relatively understudied. To address this limitation, this research investigates Core Self-Evaluation (CSE; one's fundamental evaluations about themselves, their own abilities, and their own control) and depression as underlying mechanisms associating IH with suicide ideation. CSE comprises four traits: self-esteem, locus of control, emotional stability, and generalized self-efficacy. An online survey was completed by 404 sexual minority adults (Meanage = 27.42 years, %Female = 51.50, %Male = 30.40, %Trans Female = 3.2, %Trans Male = 5.4). Participants were recruited via Prolific, an online crowdsourcing platform. Four serial mediation analyses examined the direct and indirect effects of IH on suicide ideation via each CSE trait and depression symptoms. Results showed support for the CSE-depression mediated pathway. Self-esteem, emotional stability, and general self-efficacy (but not locus of control) mediated the relationship between IH and suicide ideation via depression symptoms. Across three serial mediations, greater IH was associated with lower (1) self-esteem, (2) emotional stability, and (3) self-efficacy; lower self-esteem, emotional stability, and self-efficacy were associated with greater reported depression symptoms, which were then associated with greater suicide ideation. This research has implications for understanding the underlying mechanisms that associate IH with poor mental health among sexual minority adults. Studying the social and psychological mechanisms can help develop therapeutic interventions that target suicide ideation and promote positive self-evaluations among sexual minority individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Munn
- Department of Psychology, Denison University, Granville, OH, USA
| | - Drexler James
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, 106-B Kastle Hall University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, 40506-0044, USA.
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Karver TS, Atkins K, Fonner VA, Rodriguez-Diaz CE, Sweat MD, Taggart T, Yeh PT, Kennedy CE, Kerrigan D. HIV-Related Intersectional Stigma and Discrimination Measurement: State of the Science. Am J Public Health 2022; 112:S420-S432. [PMID: 35763725 PMCID: PMC9241460 DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2021.306639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background. Across settings, individuals from populations that are multiply stigmatized are at increased risk of HIV and experience worse HIV treatment outcomes. As evidence expands on how intersecting stigmatized identities and conditions influence HIV outcomes, researchers have used diverse quantitative approaches to measure HIV-related intersectional stigma and discrimination. To date, no clear consensus exists regarding how to best quantitatively measure and analyze intersectional stigma and discrimination. Objectives. To review and document existing quantitative measures of HIV-related intersectional stigma and discrimination to inform research, programmatic, and policy efforts. Search Methods. We searched 5 electronic databases for relevant studies. References of included articles were screened for possible inclusion. Additional articles were screened on the basis of consultations with experts in the field. Selection Criteria. We included peer-reviewed studies published between January 1, 2010, and May 12, 2021, that were HIV related and presented 1 or more quantitative measures of stigma and discrimination using an intersectional lens in measure design or analysis. Data Collection and Analysis. Systematic methods were used to screen citations and abstract data via a standardized coding form. Data were analyzed by coding categories stratified according to 2 subgroups: (1) studies incorporating a single intersectional measure and (2) studies that examined intersectional stigma through analytical approaches combining multiple measures. Main Results. Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria, 7 of which explicitly referenced intersectionality. Ten studies were from the United States. All of the studies included participants living with HIV. Among the 4 studies incorporating a single intersectional stigma measure, 3 explored race and gender stigma and 1 explored gender and HIV stigma. Studies involving analytic approaches (n = 12) mostly examined intersectional stigma via interaction terms in multivariate regression models. Three studies employed structural equation modeling to examine interactive effects or latent constructs of intersectional stigma. Conclusions. Research on the measurement of HIV-related intersectional stigma and discrimination is currently concentrated in high-income settings and generally focuses on the intersection of 2 identities (e.g., race and gender). Efforts are needed to expand appropriate application of intersectionality in the development, adaptation, and use of measures of HIV-related intersectional stigma and discrimination. The use of context-, identity-, or condition-adaptable measures should be considered. Researchers should also carefully consider how to meaningfully engage communities in the process of measurement development. Public Health Implications. The measures and analytic approaches presented could significantly enhance public health efforts in assessing the impact of HIV-related intersectional stigma and discrimination on critical health outcomes. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S4):S420-S432. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306639).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Kaitlyn Atkins
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Virginia A Fonner
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Carlos E Rodriguez-Diaz
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Michael D Sweat
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Tamara Taggart
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Ping Teresa Yeh
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Caitlin E Kennedy
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Deanna Kerrigan
- Tahilin Sanchez Karver, Carlos E. Rodriguez-Diaz, Tamara Taggart, and Deanna Kerrigan are with the Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC. Kaitlyn Atkins, Ping Teresa Yeh, and Caitlin E. Kennedy are with the Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. Virginia A. Fonner is with the Global Health, Population, and Nutrition Department, FHI 360, Durham, NC. Michael D. Sweat is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
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11
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Mi T, Lan G, Yang X, Li X, Qiao S, Shen Z, Zhou Y. HIV-Related Stigma, Sexual Identity, and Depressive Symptoms Among MSM Living With HIV in China: A Moderated Mediation Modeling Analysis. Am J Mens Health 2022; 16:15579883221087531. [PMID: 35343811 PMCID: PMC8966094 DOI: 10.1177/15579883221087531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is one of the biggest health issues among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV, where sexual identity might play an intricate role. Yet, findings of the relationship between sexual identity and depression were mixed and few studies explored its underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to examine the association between sexual identity and depression, and the potential mediating role of HIV-related stigma and moderating role of age. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 203 MSM living with HIV in Guangxi, China. Participants provided information on sexual identity, depression, HIV-related stigma, and background information. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and path analysis were applied to examine our hypotheses. Bivariate analysis demonstrated that participants who self-identified as gay reported a lower level of HIV-related stigma and depression. Path analysis revealed an insignificant direct effect of identifying as gay on depression. Yet, the indirect pathway was significant, with identifying as gay being associated with a lower level of HIV stigma and thus a lower level of depression. This indirect effect was moderated by age. The conditional indirect effect was significant in the younger group yet ceased in the older group. The study provided information to better understand the effect of sexual identity on mental health among stigmatized sexual and gender minorities by highlighting the mediating effect of HIV-related stigma and the protective effect of age. Interventions targeting mental health of MSM living with HIV might consider placing greater emphasis on addressing HIV-related stigma among younger MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Mi
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior & South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Guanghua Lan
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, China
| | - Xueying Yang
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior & South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Xiaoming Li
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior & South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Shan Qiao
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior & South Carolina SmartState Center for Healthcare Quality (CHQ), Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Zhiyong Shen
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, China
| | - Yuejiao Zhou
- Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanning, China
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12
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Scott W, Jackson SE, Hackett RA. Perceived discrimination, health, and well-being among adults with and without pain: a prospective study. Pain 2022; 163:258-266. [PMID: 35029597 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Discrimination negatively influences health and well-being in the general population, but its impact on people with pain is unclear. This study assessed discrimination, health, and well-being in people with and without pain. Data were from 5871 participants from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Experiences of discrimination were reported in 2010 to 2011. Pain, self-rated health, depressive symptoms, quality of life, life satisfaction, and loneliness were assessed in 2010 to 2011 and 2016 to 2017. A quarter (26%, n = 1524) of the sample reported pain at baseline. Participants with pain were more likely to report discrimination than those without pain (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.13-1.46). Cross-sectionally, those with pain who perceived discrimination had poorer self-rated health (OR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.02-1.61), greater depressive symptoms (OR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.48-2.45), were more likely to be lonely (β = 0.21, 95% CI 0.15-0.26), and had lower quality of life (β = -4.01, 95% CI -4.88 to -3.14), and life satisfaction (β = -1.75, 95% CI -2.45 to -1.06) than those with pain who did not perceive discrimination. Prospectively, discrimination in those with pain was associated with greater depression (OR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.19-2.34) and loneliness (β = 0.11, 95% CI 0.05-0.17), adjusting for baseline values. In those without pain in 2010 to 2011, discrimination predicted pain in 2016 to 2017, controlling for covariates (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.06-1.56). People with pain are more likely to report discrimination than those without pain, and this experience is associated with increased depression and loneliness. Discrimination was predictive of incident pain in pain-free adults. These findings highlight the need to tackle discrimination to improve well-being in those with pain and to potentially reduce the risk of pain onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Whitney Scott
- Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
- INPUT Pain Management Unit, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Jackson
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth A Hackett
- Health Psychology Section, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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13
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Kittiteerasack P, Matthews AK, Park C. Psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Internalized sexual stigma scale for research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations. PSYCHOLOGY & SEXUALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/19419899.2021.2000013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Alicia K. Matthews
- College of Nursing, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Chang Park
- College of Nursing, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Illinois, United States
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14
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Penukonda V, Utz T, Perry NS, Ware D, Brennan-Ing M, Meanley S, Brown A, Haberlen S, Egan J, Shoptaw S, Teplin LA, Friedman MR, Plankey M. Viral suppression among middle-aged and aging MSM living with HIV: Partnership type and quality. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0258032. [PMID: 34597316 PMCID: PMC8486120 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0258032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional support—the availability of material aid, emotional support, or companionship—promotes general well-being. For men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV, having a person who supports you associates with viral suppression. This study examines the association between supportive partnerships and HIV viral suppression among middle-aged and aging MSM living with HIV. A total of 423 middle-aged and aging MSM (mean age, 58.2 years) from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study provided self-reported data about their partnerships. Separate Poisson regression models assessed how partnership type, support, strain, and duration from April 2017 were associated with repeated viral load measurements up to April 2019. Of the follow-up visits (N = 1289), 90.0% of participants were virally suppressed. Most participants reported being non-Hispanic White (61.0%) and college-educated (83.4%). Participants were asked about their primary partnerships (i.e., “someone they are committed to above anyone else”) and secondary partnerships (i.e., those who can also be intimate or supportive but not necessarily romantic or sexual). The participants reported: no partnerships (45.2%), only primary partnerships (31.0%), only secondary partnerships (11.1%), or both primary and secondary partnerships (12.8%). Primary and secondary partnerships had mean (SD) durations of 15.9 (11.3) and 25.2 (16.5) years, respectively. Participants reporting both primary and secondary partnerships (compared with no partnership) showed significantly higher odds of being virally suppressed (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 1.04; 95% CI, 1.00–1.08; p = 0.043). Albeit not statistically significant, primary-only (aPR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.97–1.06; p = 0.547) or secondary-only (aPR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.98–1.08; p = 0.224) partnership types were positively associated with viral suppression. Partner support and strain were not associated with viral suppression in any partnership group. Being older and non-Hispanic Black were positively and negatively associated with viral suppression, respectively. Encouraging partnerships should be considered one of clinicians’ many tools to help middle-aged and aging MSM achieve long-term viral suppression.
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Grants
- U01 HL146205 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146208 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146192 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146242 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146201 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146193 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146194 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146241 NHLBI NIH HHS
- P30 AI027767 NIAID NIH HHS
- P30 AI050409 NIAID NIH HHS
- U01 HL146333 NHLBI NIH HHS
- R01 MD010680 NIMHD NIH HHS
- U01 HL146245 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146204 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146202 NHLBI NIH HHS
- UL1 TR000004 NCATS NIH HHS
- U01 HL146240 NHLBI NIH HHS
- U01 HL146203 NHLBI NIH HHS
- P30 AI050410 NIAID NIH HHS
- National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
- The contents of this publication are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). MWCCS (Principal Investigators): Atlanta CRS (Ighovwerha Ofotokun, Anandi Sheth, and Gina Wingood), U01-HL146241; Baltimore CRS (Todd Brown and Joseph Margolick), U01-HL146201; Bronx CRS (Kathryn Anastos and Anjali Sharma), U01-HL146204; Brooklyn CRS (Deborah Gustafson and Tracey Wilson), U01-HL146202; Data Analysis and Coordination Center (Gypsyamber D’Souza, Stephen Gange and Elizabeth Golub), U01-HL146193; Chicago-Cook County CRS (Mardge Cohen and Audrey French), U01-HL146245; Chicago-Northwestern CRS (Steven Wolinsky), U01-HL146240; Connie Wofsy Women’s HIV Study, Northern California CRS (Bradley Aouizerat, Phyllis Tien, and Jennifer Price), U01-HL146242; Los Angeles CRS (Roger Detels), U01-HL146333; Metropolitan Washington CRS (Seble Kassaye and Daniel Merenstein), U01-HL146205; Miami CRS (Maria Alcaide, Margaret Fischl, and Deborah Jones), U01-HL146203; Pittsburgh CRS (Jeremy Martinson and Charles Rinaldo), U01-HL146208; UAB-MS CRS (Mirjam-Colette Kempf, Jodie Dionne-Odom, and Deborah Konkle-Parker), U01-HL146192; UNC CRS (Adaora Adimora), U01-HL146194. The MWCCS is funded primarily by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), with additional co-funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD), National Institute On Aging (NIA), National Institute Of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institute Of Allergy And Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke (NINDS), National Institute Of Mental Health (NIMH), National Institute On Drug Abuse (NIDA), National Institute Of Nursing Research (NINR), National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), and in coordination and alignment with the research priorities of the National Institutes of Health, Office of AIDS Research (OAR). MWCCS data collection is also supported by UL1-TR000004 (UCSF CTSA), P30-AI-050409 (Atlanta CFAR), P30-AI-050410 (UNC CFAR), and P30-AI-027767 (UAB CFAR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Penukonda
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Timothy Utz
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Nicholas S. Perry
- Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Center for Behavioral Medicine, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States of America
| | - Deanna Ware
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
| | - Mark Brennan-Ing
- Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Steven Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andre Brown
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sabina Haberlen
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - James Egan
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Steven Shoptaw
- Department of Family Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California, United States of America
| | - Linda A. Teplin
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - M. Reuel Friedman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Michael Plankey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America
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15
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Choi SK, Golinkoff J, Michna M, Connochie D, Bauermeister J. Correlates of engagement within an online HIV prevention intervention for single young men who have sex with men: The myDEx project (Preprint). JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021; 8:e33867. [PMID: 35759333 PMCID: PMC9274398 DOI: 10.2196/33867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Objective Methods Results Conclusions Trial Registration
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Ki Choi
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jesse Golinkoff
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark Michna
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniel Connochie
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - José Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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16
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Meanley S, Haberlen SA, Okafor CN, Brown A, Brennan-Ing M, Ware D, Egan JE, Teplin LA, Bolan RK, Friedman MR, Plankey MW. Lifetime Exposure to Conversion Therapy and Psychosocial Health Among Midlife and Older Adult Men Who Have Sex With Men. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2021; 60:1291-1302. [PMID: 32556123 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnaa069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Conversion therapies to minimize same-sex attractions are classified as a dangerous practice by numerous scientific institutions in the United States. These practices may contribute to poor long-term psychosocial health, thereby interrupting processes of healthy aging. Few studies have examined psychosocial differences between persons with and without prior experiences of conversion therapy. We assessed associations between prior conversion therapy experiences and psychosocial health among midlife and older men who have sex with men (MSM; age 40+ years). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants included a multicity sample of MSM (N = 1,156) enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study who completed health surveys (2016-2019) as part of their biannual study visits. Using multivariable regressions, we investigated the associations of prior conversion therapy with current depressive symptoms, internalized homophobia, post-traumatic stress, and cumulative psychosocial conditions. Using a trait-level measure (e.g., life purpose and perseverance), we tested whether resilience moderated these associations. RESULTS The full sample was predominantly non-Hispanic white with a mean age of 62.6 years. Fifteen percent of men (n = 171/1,156) reported prior conversion therapy. In multivariable models, men exposed to conversion therapy were more likely to have depressive symptoms and above-average internalized homophobia. Men exposed to conversion therapy had 2-2.5 times the odds of reporting 1 and ≥2 psychosocial conditions, respectively, compared with those who reported 0 conditions. Resilience did not moderate these associations. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS Conversion therapies are nonaffirming social stressors for MSM and may compromise critical psychosocial aspects of healthy aging among MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia.,Research Education Institute for Diverse Scholars, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Sabina A Haberlen
- Department of Epidemiology, John Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Chukwuemeka N Okafor
- Department of Public Health, Baylor University Robbins College of Health and Human Services, Waco, Texas
| | - Andre Brown
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark Brennan-Ing
- Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, New York City, New York
| | - Deanna Ware
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - James E Egan
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
| | - Linda A Teplin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | | | - Mackey R Friedman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pennsylvania
| | - Michael W Plankey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
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17
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Statz M, Ware D, Perry N, Huebner D, Cox C, Brown A, Meanley S, Haberlen S, Egan J, Brennan M, Teplin LA, Bolan R, Friedman MR, Plankey M. Primary and secondary supportive partnerships among HIV-positive and HIV-negative middle-aged and older gay men. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245863. [PMID: 33596240 PMCID: PMC7888601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study describes the primary and secondary partnerships of aging gay men participating in the Understanding Patterns of Healthy Aging Among Men Who Have Sex with Men substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and examines differences in the prevalence of these relationship structures by HIV status while adjusting for age, education, and race/ethnicity. Relationships were compared within the following structural categories: “only a primary partnership”, “only a secondary partnership”, “both a primary and secondary relationship”, or “neither a primary nor secondary relationship”. There were 1,054 participants (51.9% HIV negative/48.1% HIV positive) included in the study. Participants had a median age of 62.0 years (interquartile range: 56.0–67.0) and most reported being non-Hispanic white (74.6%) and college educated (88.0%). Of the 1,004 participants with available partnership status data, 384 (38.2%) reported no primary or secondary partnerships, 108 (10.8%) reported secondary-only partnership, 385 (38.3%) reported primary-only partnership, and 127 (12.6%) reported both primary and secondary partnerships. Of participants who reported primary partnerships only, the prevalence rates (PRs) were lower among those 62 years and older, HIV positive, black non-Hispanic and Hispanics. Of participants who reported only having a secondary partnership, the PRs were higher among those 62 years and older and HIV positive. Of participants who did not report having either a primary or secondary partnership, the PRs were higher among those 62 years and older, HIV positive, and black non-Hispanic compared with their respective referent groups. There was no significant difference in PRs of having both primary and secondary partnerships by age category, HIV status, race/ethnicity, and education. This study aimed to fill a knowledge gap in the literature regarding both primary and secondary supportive partnerships among aging HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Statz
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Deanna Ware
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Nicholas Perry
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
- Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - David Huebner
- Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Christopher Cox
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
| | - Andre Brown
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Steven Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, PA, United States of America
| | - Sabina Haberlen
- Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | - James Egan
- Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Mark Brennan
- Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Linda A. Teplin
- Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Robert Bolan
- Los Angeles LGBT Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
| | - M. Reuel Friedman
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Michael Plankey
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
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18
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Social support moderates D-dimer and self-rated successful aging within people with HIV and older adults. J Behav Med 2020; 43:979-988. [PMID: 32072364 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-020-00141-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Many factors can influence perceptions of successful aging (SA), including social isolation and poor physical health. We hypothesized that social support attenuates the negative effect of plasma D-dimer, a correlate of HIV and aging, on SA. Participants included 230 adults (134 people with HIV; PWH, 96 HIV-), ages 36-65, segregated into age cohorts with up to 5 yearly visits. Multilevel modeling examined longitudinal within-person associations between D-dimer, social support, and SA. Social support moderated the relationship between D-dimer and SA and was significant among PWH and older individuals (ages 56-65), but not HIV- or younger cohorts. This association was significant only at extreme levels of social support, with significant decreases in social support potentiating the negative impact of D-dimer on SA and significant increases in social support facilitating increased SA. Despite declining health, high social support may improve SA in PWH and older adults, and low support may be especially problematic for older adults.
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