Understanding the impact of HIV diagnosis amongst gay men in Scotland: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Flowers, P. , Davis, M. M., Larkin, M., Church, S. and Marriott, C. (2011) Understanding the impact of HIV diagnosis amongst gay men in Scotland: An interpretative phenomenological analysis. Psychology and Health, 26(10), pp. 1378-1391. (doi: 10.1080/08870446.2010.551213) (PMID:22010635)

Abstract

Objectives: Although a wide literature details the psychological impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis, it predates the introduction of effective treatment for HIV (i.e. anti-retroviral therapies, ARTs). This article explores the psychological impact of HIV diagnosis in post-ART accounts. This is important, given the recent policy developments which focus upon increasing HIV testing and thus diagnoses. Design: This study presents a qualitative exploration of the experiential accounts of HIV-positive gay men living in Scotland. A total of 14 HIV-positive gay men took part in open-ended interviews. Methods: Interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to identify recurrent themes across the interviews. Results: Our analysis focuses upon the participants’ struggles in adjusting to their HIV status. Diagnosis was a deeply shocking and unexpected experience. Stigma and fear of prejudice dominated their accounts. HIV was understood, variously, as a shameful, fatal and life-changing condition. Overall, within these accounts there was little sense of HIV normalisation. Conclusions: In Scotland, where HIV prevalence is low, and where no accessible HIV-positive sub-culture exists, there is on-going psychological distress and morbidity amongst gay men testing HIV positive. As HIV-related policy increasingly focuses on increasing rates of antibody testing, there is a need to reduce the psychosocial costs associated with HIV-positive diagnoses.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Flowers, Professor Paul
• Authors: Flowers, P., Davis, M. M., Larkin, M., Church, S., and Marriott, C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Psychology and Health
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis (Routledge)
• ISSN: 0887-0446
• ISSN (Online): 1476-8321
• Published Online: 20 June 2011