Examining the Influence of Pre-Haart Experiences on Older, Self-Identifying Gay Men's Contemporary Constructions of Quality of Life (QOL)

Bibliographic Data

ID3608462
AuthorsIngrid Handlovsky (0000-0003-4838-320X, University of Victoria, corresponding author), Anthony Theodore Amato (0000-0002-7978-6514, Community Based Research Centre), Olivier Ferlatte (0000-0003-2721-4757, École de Santé Publique de l’Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada), Hannah Kia (0000-0002-7830-4907, UBC School of Social Work, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), Marilou Gagnon (0000-0003-4214-3088, University of Victoria), Catherine Worthington (0000-0003-3075-8229, University of Victoria)
Year2024
Volume71
Issue8
Pages1880-1899
Publication date2024-07-02
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Homosexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0091-8369 • E-ISSN: 1540-3602
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00918369.2023.2212100
PMID37192266
OpenAlexW4376637919
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited37

Some older gay men (50+) experience diminished quality of life (QOL) due to historical and ongoing discrimination in addition to living through a collective trauma-the pre-HAART era of the HIV/AIDS epidemic-characterized by the absence of treatment and rampant discrimination targeting gay men. A growing body of literature, however, illustrates that older gay men demonstrate remarkable resilience but little is known about how QOL is conceptualized and how these conceptualizations are potentially shaped by pre-HAART experiences. The current study drew on constructivist grounded theory methods to examine how QOL is conceptualized in light of the sociohistorical relevance of pre-HAART. Twenty Canadian based gay men aged 50+ participated in semi-structured interviews via Zoom. Ultimately, QOL is understood as experiencing contentment, which is made possible by the development and implementation of three key processes: (1) developing and cultivating meaningful connections, (2) growing into and embracing identity, and (3) appreciating the capacity to do what brings joy. QOL for this group is greatly informed by a context of disadvantage, and the demonstrated resilience warrants further investigation to meaningfully support the overall well-being of older gay men

Constructivist grounded theory · Contentment · Context (archaeology · Developmental psychology · Disadvantage · Grounded theory · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Men who have sex with men · Minority stress · Psychological resilience · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Quality of life (healthcare · Sexual minority · Sexual orientation · Sociology · Gender Studies · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Homelessness and Social Issues · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology

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