title: Transition to adulthood and antiretroviral adherence among HIV-positive young Black men who have sex with men.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We conducted a qualitative study of HIV-positive young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) to explore their experiences of living with HIV and adhering to antiretroviral medications (ARVs) within the developmental context of their transition to adulthood.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted life history interviews with 20 HIV-positive YBMSM in Atlanta, Georgia, engaged in outpatient HIV care. We addressed these questions: (1) How do YBMSM living with HIV experience the transition to adulthood? and (2) What are the important sociocontextual influences on ARV adherence for YBMSM?
  
  
  RESULTS
  Successful transition to adulthood and optimal ARV adherence were inextricably linked. HIV's detrimental impact on development was moderated by the degree of physical illness at diagnosis. Many participants described resilient trajectories while coping with HIV. Adherence problems occurred primarily among participants who were not meeting their developmental goals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings support the need for early diagnosis and linkage to care, as well as the need to develop holistic, resilience-based interventions focusing on transition to adulthood. These findings have implications for individual clinical outcomes as well as ARV-based prevention efforts among YBMSM.
authors.affiliation: Sophia A. Hussen, Karen Andes, and Carlos del Rio are with the Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA. Sophia A. Hussen and Carlos del Rio are also with the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine. Danielle Gilliard is with the Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University. Rana Chakraborty is with the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine. David J. Malebranche is with the Division of Student Health Services, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: Sophia A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Hussen
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Andes
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gilliard
authors.forename: Rana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Del Rio
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Malebranche
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005845:Georgia; D006040:Goals; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents