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From Pathology to Resiliency: Understanding the Mental Health of HIV Positive Gay Men

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Understanding Prevention for HIV Positive Gay Men

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Abstract

The experiences of HIV positive gay men are unique as their lives intersect at multiple levels of oppression. However, many HIV positive gay men present resiliency in the face of social marginalization. The current chapter seeks to conceptualize: (1) current research surrounding the mental health of gay men and HIV positive gay men; (2) psychological distress and resiliency among HIV positive gay men, including the role of stigma, shame, and silence regarding sexual behavior and HIV status; and (3) practical implications for HIV prevention strategies. Understanding the influencing factors related to impaired mental health, in addition to facilitators of resiliency, is imperative in the development of effective mental health policy and research endeavors.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    “MSM” is a public health term used by academics and surveillance specialists, but it does not capture the complex meanings that men ascribe to their sexual identities, communities, and networks. In this chapter, the term “gay” is preferred; however, where appropriate, MSM is used to stay consistent with previous study data.

  2. 2.

    Building from Omi & Winant’s (1986) classical work surrounding racial formation in the USA, the term ethnoracial (as opposed to “race” or “ethnicity”) is used to describe encompassing categories of associated heritage and cultural group affiliations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of San Francisco (USF), San Francisco, CA, USA

    J. J. Garrett-Walker

  2. Public Health Research Services, LLC, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Gabriel R. Galindo

  3. College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, USA

    Gabriel R. Galindo

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  1. J. J. Garrett-Walker
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  2. Gabriel R. Galindo
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Correspondence to J. J. Garrett-Walker .

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  1. Department of Human Development, College of Community and Public Affairs (CCPA), State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY, USA

    Leo Wilton

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Garrett-Walker, J.J., Galindo, G.R. (2017). From Pathology to Resiliency: Understanding the Mental Health of HIV Positive Gay Men. In: Wilton, L. (eds) Understanding Prevention for HIV Positive Gay Men. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-0203-0_3

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