Abstract
Little is known about the impact of HIV on the mental health of older gay men. In a nationwide online survey, 1,135 Australian
gay men aged 40 years and older reported on their physical and mental health. Compared with HIV-negative men, those with HIV
were more likely to report currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition (37 vs. 25 %, p = 0.001), but no more likely to report treatment for a major physical health condition other than HIV (39 % vs. 40 %). On
a measure of psychological distress, more HIV-positive men were highly distressed (14 vs. 8 %, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in mental health across age groups for either HIV-positive or HIV-negative
men. Underlying factors for poorer mental health included lower income (p = 0.003), not working (p = 0.004), living alone (p = 0.03), treatment for a major physical health condition (p < 0.001), recent experiences of discrimination (p = 0.03), and regarding one’s sexual orientation as an essential part of self-identity (p < 0.001). With disparities between older HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men greater for mental than physical health, more
attention may need to be given to the psychological well-being of those living with HIV, particularly by addressing underlying
psychosocial factors.
gay men aged 40 years and older reported on their physical and mental health. Compared with HIV-negative men, those with HIV
were more likely to report currently receiving treatment for a mental health condition (37 vs. 25 %, p = 0.001), but no more likely to report treatment for a major physical health condition other than HIV (39 % vs. 40 %). On
a measure of psychological distress, more HIV-positive men were highly distressed (14 vs. 8 %, p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in mental health across age groups for either HIV-positive or HIV-negative
men. Underlying factors for poorer mental health included lower income (p = 0.003), not working (p = 0.004), living alone (p = 0.03), treatment for a major physical health condition (p < 0.001), recent experiences of discrimination (p = 0.03), and regarding one’s sexual orientation as an essential part of self-identity (p < 0.001). With disparities between older HIV-positive and HIV-negative gay men greater for mental than physical health, more
attention may need to be given to the psychological well-being of those living with HIV, particularly by addressing underlying
psychosocial factors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0252-8
- Authors
- Anthony Lyons, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Marian Pitts, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Jeffrey Grierson, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165