Gay men, social support and HIV disease: A study of social integration in the gay community

Abstract

As part of a large study of the effects of HIV and AIDS on gay male sexual behaviour, we investigated the extent to which gay men in the UK have access to social support and informal care at times of illness. The study sample (n = 502) demonstrated high levels of willingness to disclose sexuality to others, sociability and social integration. Over 90% reported that they had access to people whom they could turn for practical help at times of temporary incapacity. Between 42% and 46% have known a person, or persons, with HIV symptomatic disease, AIDS or someone who has died of AIDS, although men recruited in larger towns and cities were more likely to know people at every stage of HIV infection and AIDS than those from smaller towns. Twenty-five per cent had provided practical help and support to at least one person with AIDS; men in this situation were more likely to have had a close friend, lover or former lover who had died of AIDS. It is argued that it is not possible to expect the gay community to provide fully for the non-medical care of its members and, whilst some needs can be fulfilled on an informal care basis, the demands of long-term serious illness are such that adequate support services should be available in the community.

Social Support, Conflict, and Integration Among Women Living With HIV/AIDS1

“…There are a number of additional reasons why social support might be different for women living with HIV/AIDS than for HIV-infected gay men. One reason might be that while predominantly White samples of gay men generally have been found to be open in disclosing their HIV infection (Hart, Fitzpatrick, McLean, Dawson, & Boulton, 1990;Hays et al, 1993), women living with HIVIAIDS, particularly Latinas (Simoni et al, 1995), have been very reluctant to disclose their HIV infection to friends and family (Gielen, O'Campo, Faden, & Eke, 1997;Moneyham, Seals, Semi, & Sowell, 1996;Simoni et al, 1995). While nondisclosure might prevent negative social conflicts, it also might preclude opportunities for receiving social support and create a self-imposed form of social isolation.…”

HIV/AIDS and the family: a review of research in the first decade

“…In particular, economic, social and sexual activities are broadly similar (Hart et al, 1990;McCann and Wadsworth, 1992). Indeed, HIV/AIDS support organizations such as the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York and the Terrence Higgins Trust in London during their formative years in the early 1980s could be viewed as extended family support networks for gay men, some of whom were unable to rely on their own family for material or emotional support.…”

The mental health experiences of gay men: a research study exploring gay men's health needs

“…however as King (1993) argues, there has been a gradual de-gaying of AIDS. In addition there is scant research into the emotional impact of HIV and AIDS amongst gay men (Lennon et al 1990, Hart et al 1990). The effect of HIV and AIDS on the mental health of gay men is not discussed in this article.…”