3 Strikes And You're Out: The association between social support and the HIV sexual risk behaviors of disclosed African American MSM Público

Bullock, Cydney Allixandria (2011)

Permanent URL: https://etd.library.emory.edu/concern/etds/qv33rw744?locale=es
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Abstract


Historically, African American men who have sex men (AAMSM) have had
significantly higher rates of HIV infection as compared to other men who have sex with
men (MSM) (CDC, 2005; Millet, Flores, Peterson, & Bakeman, 2007; Newman &
Berman, 2008; Bohl, Raymond, Arnold, & McFarland, 2009; Wilson & Moore, 2009).
Of AAMSM who disclose and identify as gay or bisexual, these AAMSM have higher
rates of HIV than those who do not disclose a sexual identity (CDC, 2003; Bond et al.,
2009; Crawford et al., 2002). In order to better understand this phenomenon, this
qualitative study examined the possible association of social support and HIV sexual risk
behaviors among openly gay African American men in the Metro Atlanta area.. A
thematic analysis of focus group data revealed that the norms and values of a social
support system may have a greater influence on an individual's participation in risky
sexual behaviors than the presence or lack of social support. The results also identify
various sources of social support among both the African American and gay African
American communities. Further the findings agree with the current literature surrounding
the relationship between disclosure or sexual identity and the presence of social support.
Together, these findings not only add to literature regarding the possible impact of social
support on participation in risky sex behaviors but may give insight to the use of this type
of framework in future research regarding social support and health. Additionally, this
study's results could be used to develop individually-based interventions that are more
culturally relevant for high risk and highly complex subgroups, and inform interpersonal,
institutional, communal, and societal level prevention efforts as well.

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