“I'm coping the best way I know how” – Resiliency among HIV-positive young men of color who have sex with men (YMCSM) in the Bronx NY

Background: In many Latino, African-American, and Caribbean communities in the Bronx, traditional male images are shaped by religion, heterosexism, hyper-masculinity, and sexual conquest. Given these cultural influences, YMCSM must carefully negotiate disclosure of their sexual identity and HIV-positive status. Disclosure can sometimes be traumatic, yet YMCSM demonstrate tremendous resilience in their ability to cope successfully with their HIV serostatus, and by setting future goals.

Methods: We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with HIV+ YMCSM participating in an outreach and retention in care program in the Bronx. Using a modified grounded theory approach, we explored YMCSM coming out experiences, outreach/retention programs' role in facilitating this process, sexual partner selection, and partnerships over time. Results: YMCSM reported they coped with their HIV status through meditation, journal writing, prayer, listening to and composing music, optimistic thinking, attending support groups, and keeping their medical appointments. Most (65%) expressed the desire to have children in the future, and of these (69%) expressed interest in marriage. About half expressed interest in professional careers, 25% in the Arts, and 20% had short-term goals like attending college, obtaining their GED, or finding a steady job. Only one participant reported no future goals. Some YMCSM also indicated their outreach/retention programs assisted with disclosure and coping.

Conclusions: The resilience YMCSM exhibit can provide practitioners with understandings of how these youth overcome adversity, the role of protective factors in facilitating this process, and how that knowledge can be used to enhance strengths and build the positive aspects of their lives.