Abstract
HIV incidence among black men who have sex with men (BMSM) is at epidemic proportions. However, the vast majority of studies have focused on risk factors related to HIV infections with a dearth of research on resiliency and how BMSM maintain seronegativity. Using three focus groups (N = 29) comprised of BMSM in New York City, this study explored psychosocial factors and practices related to maintaining seronegativity. Major themes included having spirituality and/or religious beliefs, access to social supports that held positive expectations, and having personal agency by engaging in seroadaptive harm reduction practices. Overall, findings highlight the importance of addressing HIV stigma, supporting the need for BMSM to be validated, and creating safe spaces that allow them to discuss the challenges related to remaining HIV-negative.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 276-290 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Men and Masculinities |
| Volume | 21 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2018 |
Funding
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, R25MH083602) awarded to Co-Principal Investigators Beatrice Krauss, PhD, Jagadisa-devasri Dacus, LMSW.
Keywords
- HIV-negative
- beliefs
- black MSM
- social and psychological dimensions
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- History
- Sociology and Political Science
- Literature and Literary Theory
