Bridge to Belonging: Peer Led Intervention to Reduce Loneliness and Depression Among Older Gay and Bisexual Men
Fenway Community Health
Summary
Older gay and bisexual men living with HIV (OGBMLH) are more likely to experience depression and loneliness, which can lead to negative health outcomes. This mixed-methods research study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Bridge to Belonging (B2B) intervention. B2B is a peer-delivered, manualized program designed to increase engagement in LGBTQ+-affirming elder services and thereby reduce loneliness and depression among OGBMLH. The program utilizes a) cognitive behavioral therapy-based Friendship Enrichment Program (FEP) to build social skills; b) Peer Mentoring (PM) to model and support engagement in community services; and c) connecting participants to affirming elder services such as meal programs, bereavement groups, social activities, etc. Interventions like B2B are essential to the NIH's goal of improving access to behavioral interventions through advances in HIV/AIDS research.
Description
Among older gay and bisexual men living with HIV (OGBMLH), depression and loneliness are significantly more prevalent than among their heterosexual and HIV-negative peers. These elevated rates are driven in part by intersectional stigma (e.g. from age, HIV status, sexual orientation, etc.) and social isolation and/or family rejection. As a result, OGBMLH who experience depression and/or loneliness are more likely to experience cognitive decline, increased morbidity and mortality, and decreased overall quality of life. LGBTQ+-affirming community services for elders offer a promising avenue for…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 50+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * HIV+ and provide evidence or documentation of HIV+ status * Willing to release HIV-related health records * Self-identify as a man who has sex with men * Able to provide informed consent in English * Be ≥50 years old * Score at least a 2 on the PHQ-2 OR score at least a 4 on the UCLA Shortened Loneliness Scale Exclusion Criteria: * HIV- * Does not self-identify as a man who has sex with men * Is less than 50 years old * Scores less than 2 on the PHQ-2 AND scores less than 4 on the UCLA Shortened Loneliness Scale
Interventions
- BehavioralB2B Intervention
This 10-session peer-delivered intervention is designed to reduce depression and loneliness among OGBMLH by addressing barriers to engagement in LGBTQ+-affirming community services. The intervention involves group sessions facilitated by trained peer interventionists, drawing on two evidence-based components: the cognitive behavioral therapy-based Friendship Enrichment Program (FEP) to build social skills and Peer Mentoring (PM) to model and support engagement in community services. Sessions are structured around skill-building activities designed to a) reduce stigma-related barriers to community participation, b) create and strengthen social connections, and c) increase confident and motivation to engage in community services. Participants will also receive resource navigation as needed.
- BehavioralControl condition
The control condition will involve a resource guide of content related to local LGBTQ+-affirming community service (e.g., information related to community meal programs, social groups, etc.)
Location
- Fenway HealthBoston, Massachusetts