Abstract: “Proud I Am Negative”: Maintaining HIV-Seronegativity Among Black MSM in New York City (Society for Social Work and Research 22nd Annual Conference - Achieving Equal Opportunity, Equity, and Justice)

Schedule:

Saturday, January 13, 2018: 9:45 AM

Independence BR F (ML 4) (Marriott Marquis Washington DC)

* noted as presenting author

Jagadisa-devasri Dacus, MSW, MPhil, Doctoral Student, Hunter College, New York, NY

Dexter Voisin, PhD, Professor, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Judith Barker, PhD, Professor, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, San Francisco, CA

Background and Purpose: Men who have sex with men bear a significantly higher HIV burden relative to their heterosexual counterparts. In addition, the incidence among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) is at epidemic proportions, relative to their white peers. However, the vast majority of studies have focused on risk factors related to HIV infections among BMSM with a dearth of research on resiliency and how these men maintain seronegativity, which was the primary aim of this study.

Methods: This study was based on gay resilience theory, which refers to positive adaptation in the face of risks. Employing grounded theory it explored relational and socio-contextual factors that were implicated with BMSM maintaining HIV seronegatvity. This study recruited a purposive sample of HIV negative BMSM living in New York City who were assigned to three focus groups (N = 29). The focus groups were guided by open-ended questions in three broad areas: (a) attitudes and beliefs related to being HIV-negative; (b) how social supports may influence participants’ sexual risk behaviors; and (c) HIV harm reduction practices.

Results: Major themes across all three groups indicated that HIV seronegativity could be attributed to: 1) possession of a strong sense of religious or spiritual connection to a high power. This led to a belief that seronegative individuals were “lucky or blessed,” that their lives had purpose, and that remaining HIV-negative was imperative to fulfilling their purpose; 2) seronegative individuals having social supports from family and friends and expectations from those persons that their HIV-negative status would be maintained; and 3) exercising personal agency to remain HIV negative such as engaging in seroadaptive harm reduction practices, having conversations about HIV, serosorting and sexual positioning.

Conclusions and Implications: 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.