Citation

Jadwin-Cakmak L, Lauber K, Odhiambo EO, Collins B, Gumbe E, Norwitz GA, Aloo T, Lewis KA, Okutah F, Amico KR, Olango K, Odero W, Graham SM, Harper GW. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(3): e1667.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph19031667

PMID

35162690

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: en

Keywords

mental health; social support; LGBTQ; gay and bisexual men; Kenya; men who have sex with men