In a study featured in AIDS Care and spearheaded by Kristen Krause, an instructor at the Rutgers School of Public Health, an examination was conducted into the social networks of older individuals grappling with HIV in Newark, N.J. – a locale often sidelined in research focused on this demographic. “This study is instrumental in deciphering the impact of support networks on older adults contending with HIV and how the presence of stigma and fractured relationships can pave the way for adverse health outcomes,” remarked Krause. She highlighted that many studies concentrate on more significant urban hubs like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
With a staggering 1.2 million individuals living with HIV in the United States, advancements in medical technology have stretched their lifespans, challenging the notion of HIV primarily afflicting young demographics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscore that half of those living with the virus in the United States are aged 50 or above, underlining the significance of grasping the dynamics of social support for this cohort. Older individuals grappling with HIV often confront stigma tied to both their HIV status and advancing age, which can impinge upon their mental well-being and escalate social seclusion.
Assistance from diverse sources such as community organisations, family, and healthcare providers proves pivotal in mitigating these hurdles, furnishing avenues for connection and encouragement towards self-care. Research indicates that social support not only acts as a buffer against stigma but also diminishes levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among older individuals living with HIV. “Social support stands as a pivotal element in resilience and surmounting formidable obstacles that older adults dealing with HIV may encounter,” affirmed Krause.
“Social support stands as a pivotal element in resilience and surmounting formidable obstacles that older adults dealing with HIV may encounter,” affirmed Krause. “It can manifest in various forms, ranging from friendships and familial bonds to support groups, each serving distinct yet collective roles in ensuring favourable health outcomes in older individuals grappling with HIV.” Researchers enlisted 40 participants aged 51 to 69 through diverse sampling methods within the Newark metropolitan area, encompassing drag shows, pride events, and medical facilities.
From the amassed data, four principal themes surfaced regarding participants’ experiences navigating life with HIV as older individuals: friendships and relationships, support groups, stigma and discrimination, and family, all of which underscored the recurring significance of social support. The study’s findings underscore the imperative for older adults contending with HIV to foster robust support systems, particularly in underexplored regions such as Newark. The absence of such networks correlated with a spectrum of challenges among participants as they age, including heightened substance use, depressive episodes, anxiety, homelessness, and adverse health outcomes.
“It is imperative for researchers and public health practitioners to collaborate in devising programmes that can facilitate consistent and affirming interactions for older adults grappling with HIV,” emphasised Krause. “This will significantly enhance the overall quality of life for many individuals and bolster positive health outcomes.” Looking forward, Krause emphasised the necessity for further research tailored to this demographic, advocating for augmented funding and the formulation of interventions and programmes that nurture social support through dependable and affirmative experiences, given that not all older adults living with HIV have seamless access to such support and resources.
More information: Susannah C. Gervolino et al, The role of social support networks in a sample of older adults living with HIV: the GOLD studies, AIDS Care. DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2312877
Journal information: AIDS Care Provided by Rutgers University
