title: Psychosocial Factors Associated with Resilience in a National Community-Based Cohort of Australian Gay Men Living with HIV.
abstract: HIV-positive gay men may experience multiple sources of adversity and stress, related both to their HIV diagnosis and sexual identity. Most of these men, however, do not experience mental health problems. Little is known about factors that help them achieve resilience in the face of life challenges. This study examined psychosocial factors associated with resilience in a national community-based sample of 357 Australian HIV-positive gay men. Resilience was measured using the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale. Higher levels of resilience were linked with experiencing low or no internalized HIV-related stigma, having no previous history of mental health problems, and a number of socioeconomic indicators. In addition to providing a more complete picture of the mental health of HIV-positive gay men, findings from this study can be used to inform strength-based approaches to mental health prevention and support.
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia. a.lyons@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Heywood
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, 215 Franklin Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rozbroj
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D055500:Resilience, Psychological; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Gay; HIV; Mental health; Positive well-being; Resilience