“When you talk it out … you will feel like the burden has somehow gone down, you will feel light”: Social Support Received by Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Western Kenya
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience many sexual orientation-related stressors that negatively influence physical and mental health, making it imperative to understand their experiences of resilience-promoting resources such as social support. We utilized qualitative and participatory methodologies to examine sources of social support and types of social support received by GBMSM in Western Kenya through in-depth interviews with 60 GBMSM, including both peer educators and community members. GBMSM received emotional, informational, and instrumental support from six different relationship types: friends and peer groups, family of origin, sexual and romantic partners, healthcare providers, peer educators, and other people including work colleagues and police officers. A key finding from this study is the centrality of sexuality-specific support across all sources and types of support. Implications for clinics and LGBTQ organizations, policy, and future research are discussed.
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,618
Awards: University of Washington Developmental AIDS Research Center for Mental Health (UW ARCH), Shikamana PrEP: A Community Participatory Approach to Integrating PrEP, Sexual Health, and Mental Health Services for GBMSM in Kenya, G7992624655, Demography Center, Supporting Graduate Education and Careers in Behavioral and Social Science Research on Mental Health and HIV for Undergraduates: The Student Opportunities for AIDS/HIV Research Program
OpenAlex ID: W4210388227