Stigma and Family Relationships of Middle-Aged Gay Men in Recovery.
The primary objective of this study was to explore how middle-aged gay men in recovery cope with stigma and family relationships. For gay men, perceptions of acceptance of their sexual orientation and degree of social connectedness can play a role in their recovery from alcohol and substance use disorders. Yet gay men may have a more difficult time accessing certain family-level health resources because their families of origin may stigmatize, reject or silence them on account of their sexual orientation. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore how participants in recovery constructed and coped with their experiences of stigma, family relationships, and alcohol and substance use. Participants (30 gay men aged 50-64) completed a questionnaire and interview. We used constructivist Grounded Theory method and Minority Stress Theory as a theoretical framework to interpret the data. We identified the following themes: Internalization of Stigma, Changes in Coping Strategies, and Ongoing Stigma. Future research should explore how to incorporate familial support into gay men's recovery, address ongoing internalized stigma, and develop a social response to stigma, rather than leaving it to individuals to confront on their own.
Department of Medicine-Division of Geriatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10945 Le Conte Ave., Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1687. Psychiatry and Human Behaviors, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120 St., Building N, Los Angeles, CA 90059.
Homero E
HE
Del Pino
UCLA Department of Sociology, 264 Haines Hall, Box 951551, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1551, United States.
Mignon R
MR
Moore
Hunter College, Silberman School of Social Work, 2180 3rd Ave., New York, NY 10035, United States.
Jagadisa-Devasri
JD
Dacus
Medical Sciences Institute, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, 1731 E. 120 St., Building N, Los Angeles, CA 90059, United States.
William J
WJ
McCuller
Los Angeles Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 11015 Bloomfield Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90670, United States.
Lawrence
L
Fernandez
Department of Medicine-Division of Geriatrics , David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10945 Le Conte Avenue, Suite 2339, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States.
Alison A
AA
Moore
Aging; Family Support; Gay Men; Minority Stress; Recovery; Stigma