Research

This research is a sub-study of the Multi-Center AIDS Cohort and Women’s Inter-agency HIV Study Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS). Using six waves of data, the aims of this study are: 1) to measure changes in prevalence rates of psychosocial health problems and resiliencies over time; 2) to test if changing rates of resiliencies over time are associated with changes in substance use and other psychosocial health problems and to test whether resiliencies moderate the pathway to syndemics; and 3) to test if changing rates of resiliencies over time are associated with better HIV-related outcomes and biomarkers among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) and to test if resiliencies moderate the impact of syndemics on these same outcomes. Information from this study will be used to develop health promotion programs to support MSM who are aging. The Principal Investigators on this study are  Dr. Mackey R. Friedman (University of Pittsburgh) and Dr. Michael W. Plankey (Georgetown University). Dr. Mark Brennan-Ing is a Co-Investigator on this study and is exploring the inter-relationships of body image, internalized ageism, resiliencies, and psychological well-being in this population.