Thriving and Adapting: Resilience, Sense of Community, and Syndemics among Young Black Gay and Bisexual Men. Issue 1 (30th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reed, Sarah J.; Miller, Robin Lin
• Is Part Of: American journal of community psychology. Volume 57:Issue 1/2(2016)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2016-03-30
• Subjects: Syndemics -- HIV prevention -- Gay and bisexual men -- Black men -- Resilience -- Adolescents and young adults; Community psychology -- Periodicals; Community mental health services -- Periodicals; Community psychiatry -- Periodicals; Community Mental Health Services -- Periodicals; Community Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 155.905
• DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-0562

Abstract

Abstract: We examined resilience associated with the avoidance of psychosocial health conditions (i.e., syndemics) that increase vulnerability for HIV among young Black gay and bisexual men. We used analytic induction to compare a sample of 23 men who showed no evidence of syndemic conditions to a sample of 23 men who experienced syndemic conditions. The men who avoided syndemics reported supportive relationships with people who helped them to develop a strong sense of identity, provided them with opportunities to give back to their communities, and promoted positive norms about health. In contrast, the men experiencing syndemic conditions described numerous instances of trauma and oppression that infringed upon their desire to form positive relationships. Among these men, experiences of oppression were associated with shame, identity incongruence, social isolation, relational disconnection, mistrust of men, and expectations of further marginalization. We examined participants' experiences through the framework of the psychosocial sense of community. Results of this study provide evidence for using strength‐based intervention strategies to prevent syndemic conditions. Findings suggest that to attenuate socio‐structural barriers to health and comorbid psychosocial health concerns, interventions must address young men's social isolation and promote positive identity and sense of community.