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Handlovsky I, Amato AT, Ferlatte O, Kia H, Gagnon M, Worthington C. Examining the Influence of Pre-HAART Experiences on Older, Self-Identifying Gay Men's Contemporary Constructions of Quality of Life (QOL). JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2024; 71:1880-1899. [PMID: 37192266 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2023.2212100] [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: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Some older gay men (50+) experience diminished quality of life (QOL) due to historical and ongoing discrimination in addition to living through a collective trauma-the pre-HAART era of the HIV/AIDS epidemic-characterized by the absence of treatment and rampant discrimination targeting gay men. A growing body of literature, however, illustrates that older gay men demonstrate remarkable resilience but little is known about how QOL is conceptualized and how these conceptualizations are potentially shaped by pre-HAART experiences. The current study drew on constructivist grounded theory methods to examine how QOL is conceptualized in light of the sociohistorical relevance of pre-HAART. Twenty Canadian based gay men aged 50+ participated in semi-structured interviews via Zoom. Ultimately, QOL is understood as experiencing contentment, which is made possible by the development and implementation of three key processes: (1) developing and cultivating meaningful connections, (2) growing into and embracing identity, and (3) appreciating the capacity to do what brings joy. QOL for this group is greatly informed by a context of disadvantage, and the demonstrated resilience warrants further investigation to meaningfully support the overall well-being of older gay men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Handlovsky
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony T Amato
- Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Olivier Ferlatte
- École de Santé Publique de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal et CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hannah Kia
- UBC School of Social Work, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Marilou Gagnon
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Catherine Worthington
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Handlovsky I, Wonsiak T, Amato AT. Older, self-identifying gay men's conceptualisations of psychological well-being (PWB): A Canadian perspective. Nurs Philos 2024; 25:e12466. [PMID: 37828850 DOI: 10.1111/nup.12466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Many older gay men experience diminished psychological well-being (PWB) due to unique circumstances including discrimination, living with HIV, and aging through the HIV/AIDS crisis. However, there remains ambiguity as to how older gay men define and understand PWB. Our team interviewed and analyzed the accounts of 26 older (50+) self-identifying English-speaking men living in southwestern British Columbia, Canada. We drew on tenets of constructivist grounded theory and intersectionality to account for unique contextual considerations and power relations. Semi-structured Zoom interviews were conducted from August-October 2022. Interview transcripts were compared to generate high-order conceptual findings underpinned by processes understood as central to PWB. Three PWB temporal processes highlighted interlocking social and contextual circumstances intersecting with power and maturation: (1) being emotionally balanced, (2) living gratitude (3) and fully embracing self-acceptance. Being emotionally balanced supported the affective and sustainable state of contentment, living gratitude drew from the wisdom of accrued experiences to cultivate a positive affective state inclusive to recognising social location privileges, whilst fully embracing self-acceptance redressed the harms of anti-gay discourses that men endured throughout their lives. The knowledge is relevant to service and resource development to deliver tailored PWB supports to older gay men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Handlovsky
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tessa Wonsiak
- School of Nursing, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Anthony T Amato
- Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- School of Public Health and Social Policy, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- Community-Based Research Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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