Psychosocial Needs of YMSM

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The proposed study will use both qualitative and quantitative research methods (mixed methods) to gather data that will support the eventual development of interventions for young men who have sex with men (YMSM) living with behaviorally acquired HIV infection. The overall goal of the study is to gain an understanding of the psychosocial/developmental needs of YMSM by focusing on two critical developmental issues-identity development and future life goals.

Official Title
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Psychosocial Needs of HIV+ Young Men Who Have Sex With Men (YMSM)

Conditions
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HIV+ YMSM

Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Potential participants must meet all of the following inclusion criteria in order to participate in the study: Biologically male at birth and identifies as male at time of study participation; HIV-infected as documented by medical record review or verbal verification with referring professional; Between the age of 16 years, 0 days to 24 years, 364 days at the time of informed consent/assent; HIV infection occurred through sexual or substance use behavior of the participant; Ability to understand both written and spoken English; and History of at least one sexual encounter involving either anal or oral penetration (either receptive or insertive) with a male partner during the 12 months prior to enrollment. Exclusion Criteria: Acquired HIV through perinatal infection; Transfusion acquired HIV infection; Presence of serious psychiatric symptoms (active hallucinations, thought disorder) that would impair participants' ability to complete the study measures; Visibly distraught (suicidal, homicidal, exhibiting violent behavior); or Intoxicated

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 16 Years
Maximum Age: 24 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Phase 1<br>Male, HIV+ participants from ages 16-24 who have had sex with another male in the past year and acquired HIV behaviorally. Participants will be drawn from four participating AMTU sites. | |
| Phase 2<br>Male, HIV+ participants from ages 16-24 who have had sex with another male in the past year and acquired HIV behaviorally. Participants will be drawn from all fifteen AMTU sites. | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| An understanding of the most salient risk factors/stressors and resistance factors/coping mechanisms that impact healthy identity development among YMSM living with HIV. |  | To be determined in analysis | 
| An understanding of the association between ethnic identity, sexual identity, and identity as a young man living with HIV and the health behaviors of substance use, sexual activity, and adherence to healthcare among YMSM living with HIV. |  | To be determined in analysis | 
| An understanding of the most salient risk factors/stressors and resistance factors/coping mechanisms that negatively impact the future life goals of YMSM living with HIV. |  | To be determined in analysis | 
| Identification of additional psychosocial/developmental needs of YMSM living with HIV (in addition to healthy identity development and future life goals). |  | To be determined in analysis | 
| Development of recommendations for interventions aimed at facilitating healthy identity development, constructing future life goals, and addressing additional psychosocial/developmental needs among YMSM living with HIV. |  | To be determined in analysis | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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HIV positive, YMSM, risk factors, coping, identity development, psychosocial needs