Dynamic social support networks of younger black men who have sex with men with new HIV infection

Abstract

Rising rates of HIV-infection among younger black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the United States have generated a public health emergency. Living with HIV requires deep and persistent social support often available only from close confidants. Enlisting endogenous support network members into the care of HIV-infected YBMSM may help shape sustainable supportive environments, leading to long-term improvements in mental and HIV-specific health outcomes. The present study examined trends in support network change over time after new HIV diagnoses among fourteen YBMSM. Participants completed a social network survey that utilized sociograms to record support confidants (SCs) preceding HIV diagnosis and at one and nine months post-diagnosis. Reported SCs included family of origin, friends, sex partners, and other associates. Analysis revealed three distinct patterns of change: high gain, high turnover, and stable networks. These patterns offer valuable insights into the social support of YBMSM during the period following diagnosis. This research underscores a growing movement to embrace key support figures in the lives of YBMSM, who may be critical to promoting overall health and adherence to HIV-care.

“It's Almost Like a Crab-in-a-Barrel Situation”: Stigma, Social Support, and Engagement in Care Among Black Men Living With HIV

“…M. Quinn et al, 2014) and reduce social support (Chaudoir & Fisher, 2010; Weisz, Quinn, & Williams, 2016). Furthermore, nondisclosure of HIV status to others at the time of first seeking HIV care is associated with poor retention in care (Elopre et al, 2015) and Black MSM who disclose their HIV status early and to more social contacts may have more stable social networks post-diagnosis (McFadden et al, 2014). …”

“…Broad disclosure of HIV status may demonstrate confidence in one’s networks to sustain support in spite of their HIV status (McFadden et al, 2014) and may reflect trust in social ties to withhold judgment and stigma. Most men in this study had disclosed their status to at least one person, but disclosure, especially immediately following diagnosis, was typically limited to people deemed safe, which only occasionally included other PLWH.…”

“…Among PLWH, an important step in recruiting social support is the disclosure of one’s HIV status, which for some, may also reveal sexual behaviors (McFadden, Bouris, Voisin, Glick, & Schneider, 2014). Nondisclosure is often driven by anticipation of stigma or rejection.…”

Project nGage: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial of a Dyadic Network Support Intervention to Retain Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men in HIV Care

“…At the baseline visit, participants randomized to the experimental arm met with a social work interventionist (SWI), who conducted a social network diagram (sociogram) activity using pen and paper—a technique recommended for engaging participants, generating rich data, and being a feasible strategy in low resource settings (34, 35). The SWI started by using a confidant name generator, asking each participant to “ Please identify people in your life with whom you share personal information with and can count on in a time of need.…”

Substance use network characteristics and drug and alcohol use behaviors among young men who have sex with men (YMSM)

“…Specifically, we examined if these characteristics are associated with drug use and the frequency of substance use. Our analysis is novel as much of the previous research on substance use networks has almost exclusively focused on people who inject drugs (Latkin et al, 2010; Tobin et al, 2010), and most network studies of YMSM have largely focused on social and sexual networks (Birkett et al, 2015; McFadden et al, 2014; Mustanski et al, 2015; Tucker et al, 2012) rather than on substance use networks.…”