Growing up in the shadow of HIV

Post-Aids generation of HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Sweden and their perceptions of HIV and stigma

Datos Bibliográficos

ID7151220
AutoresNicklas Dennermalm (0000-0002-3148-2909, Karolinska Institutet, autor de correspondencia), Carl Fredrik Sjöland (0000-0003-3594-8849, Karolinska Institutet), Mats Christiansen (0000-0001-6185-9618, Uppsala University), Lena Nilsson Schönnesson (Karolinska Institutet), Karin Laine (Posithiva Gruppen), Erica Kanon (Noaks Ark Stockholm), Diego Suárez (0000-0001-8838-2952, GP Forschungsgruppe), Daniel Suárez (0000-0003-3417-1169, Posithiva Gruppen), Anna Mia Ekström (0000-0002-3912-1171, Karolinska Institutet), Helle Mølsted Alvesson (0000-0001-6109-7203, Karolinska Institutet)
Año2025
Volumen27
Número4
Páginas389-403
Fecha de publicación2025-04-03
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691058.2024.2375608
PMID39012361
OpenAlexW4400683784
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas5
Referencias citadas33

Despite growing understanding and acceptance of the concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) among gay men, HIV stigma remains a burden for people living with HIV. This study explored perceptions of HIV among HIV seronegative gay men in Sweden in this new context. Using snowball sampling, 15 gay men born between 1980 and 2000 were recruited to the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Men grew up experiencing gay stigma and were repeatedly informed by parents, schools, communities, peers, and popular culture about the dangers of HIV, and that gay men were a high-risk group. As men grew older, and the premise of HIV shifted dramatically due to U = U, some remained emotionally anchored to the pre-U = U era, while others realigned their perceptions, often after a process of reconciling emotional responses (e.g. HIV = death) with the logical-rational claims made about U = U. The study highlights key areas for future efforts, namely establishing a balance between HIV education strategies and stigma reduction initiatives. Study findings underscore the need to care for the memory of those lost during the crisis years, while also addressing the stigma faced by those currently living with HIV

Men who have sex with men · Perception · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Social stigma · Syphilis · Clinical Psychology · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology · Virology