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Culture, Health & Sexuality
An International Journal for Research, Intervention and Care
Volume 8, 2006 - Issue 3
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Original Articles

Race, social support, and coping strategies among HIV‐positive gay and bisexual men

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Pages 235-249 | Published online: 17 Aug 2006
 

Abstract

Few studies have examined the relation between race, social support, and coping, particularly among HIV‐infected individuals. We examined the relation of race and social support to coping with HIV infection in a sample of 121 gay and bisexual men (64 African American, 57 White). Compared to White participants, African Americans reported higher use of multiple coping strategies. High levels of perceived social support were related to greater use of positive coping and seeking support; lower levels of social support were related to greater use of self‐destructive coping. There were no race‐related differences in social support, and no race by social support interactions. Possible explanations for observed cultural differences and coping challenges of African American gay and bisexual men with HIV are discussed.

Résumé

Peu d'études ont examiné le rapport entre la race, le soutien social et le coping, en particulier chez les personnes séropositives. Nous avons examiné la relation entre la race et le soutien social, et le coping face à l'infection à VIH, dans un échantillon de 121 hommes gay et bisexuels (64 Africains Américains, 57 blancs). Comparés aux participants de race blanche, les Africains Américains déclarent un usage plus important de stratégies multiples de coping. Des niveaux de soutien social perçus comme élevés sont associés à un usage plus fort de coping positif et à une recherche de soutien plus importante; de plus faibles niveaux de soutien social sont associés à un recours plus important à du coping auto‐destructeur. Il n'y a pas d'effet race dans le soutien social et pas d'interactions de la race sur le soutien social. Les explications possibles des différences culturelles observées et des défis représentés par le coping chez les hommes gay et bisexuels, africains américains et séropositifs sont discutées.

Resumen

En pocos estudios se ha analizado la relación entre raza, apoyo social y mecanismos de defensa entre las personas infectadas con el VIH. Examinamos la relación entre raza y apoyo social para enfrentarse a la infección de VIH en una muestra de 121 hombres gays y bisexuales (64 afroamericanos, 57 blancos). Comparado con los participantes de raza blanca, los afroamericanos afirmaron utilizar más mecanismos de defensa para hacer frente a la enfermedad. Los altos niveles de apoyo social percibido tenían que ver con un mayor uso de mecanismos positivos de defensa y ser capaces de buscar ayuda. Y los niveles más bajos de apoyo social estaban relacionados con un mayor uso de estrategias de afrontamiento autodestructivas. No se observaron diferencias en función de la raza en cuanto al apoyo social ni interacciones entre la raza y el apoyo social. Se analizan las posibles explicaciones para las diferencias culturales que se observaron y los mecanismos de defensa entre los hombres gays y bisexuales afroamericanos afectados con el VIH.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants R01‐MH54958, P30‐MH52776, P30‐MH62294, and T32‐MH20031 from the National Institute of Mental Health. The authors gratefully acknowledge our community collaborations with the AIDS Resource Center for Wisconsin, the Madison AIDS Support Network, and the Callen‐Lorde Community Health Center in New York City.

Notes

1. Approximately 66% of the sample were gay or bisexual males.

2. Ninety‐four per cent of White participants and 58% of African American participants identified as gay or bisexual.

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