Midlife and Older Gay Men Living with HIV/AIDS: The Influence of Resiliency and Psychosocial Stress Factors on Health Needs

Abstract

HIV/AIDS research has mostly focused on younger gay men. This cross-sectional study originated from a larger study of 316 respondents to include a subsample of 38 midlife and older gay men living with HIV/AIDS. The study explores physical and mental health utilization rates, including physical and mental health status. Resiliency, internal health locus of control beliefs, and psychosocial stressors of age and sexual orientation discrimination, stigma, and internalized homophobia were also examined. A total of 65.8% of the HIV/AIDS participants received no mental health services the past year, despite reporting higher mental health distress. Of those reporting an HIV status, 10.5% indicated having no health visits in the preceding year and more delays in seeking care when needed and unmet health needs for which services were not sought. Participants reporting higher resiliency indicated less mental health distress and better health access indicators. Stigma and internalized homophobia negatively affected resiliency. Implications for practitioners working with midlife and older gay men are provided.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• older adults
• resilience
• psychosocial stress
• gay and lesbian

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The first author received funding from the National Association of Social Workers as the 2009 Jane B. Aron Dissertation Fellowship, and dissertation funding from the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, and an Ohio State University Alumni grant.