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Overcoming adversity: a grounded theory of health management among middle‐aged and older gay men
Author(s) -
Handlovsky Ingrid,
Bungay Vicky,
Johnson Joy,
Oliffe John
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
sociology of health and illness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1467-9566
pISSN - 0141-9889
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9566.13145
Subject(s) - grounded theory , heteronormativity , thematic analysis , context (archaeology) , health care , psychology , qualitative research , gerontology , situated , sociology , gender studies , medicine , political science , human sexuality , social science , geography , archaeology , artificial intelligence , computer science , law
This article presents findings from a grounded theory study in which we explored how self‐identifying gay men between 40 and 76 years of age manage their health in the context of homophobia, heteronormativity and discrimination. Data were collected with 25 men over a 6‐month period in a large urban setting in Western Canada. A preliminary theory of health management is discussed, consisting of the central phenomenon of overcoming adversity. Three thematic processes are considered that illustrate how adversity and health management are situated within the interrelationships of historical and ongoing discrimination inclusive of and external to the healthcare encounter, the complexity of men’s illnesses, and the temporal aspects of HIV epidemics and treatments that occurred throughout their lives. These themes include: advocating for health needs, knowing about health issues and treatments, and engaging in health promoting practices. These findings help to address a gap in knowledge concerning health management among older gay men and support that initiatives aimed at health care with gay men must appreciate the systemic role of discrimination, while supporting men’s individual efforts in actively managing their health.