Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

In Canada, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) are among the individuals most affected by HIV. While HIV is now considered to be a chronic, manageable illness, among gbMSM, HIV care can often be impeded by HIV-related traumas, mental health, substance use, addictions issues, and other intersectional factors. Recently, sexualized drug use (or "chemsex") with crystal methamphetamine has re-emerged as a topic of concern in health and nursing research due to increasing rates among gbMSM living with HIV. Not only can crystal methamphetamine cause neurologic damage (e.g., changes in mood, cognition, and thoughts), it can also act as a catalyst for negative health outcomes while living with HIV, such as decreased immune function, exacerbation of underlying mental health conditions, and long-term substance dependency and addictions issues. Presently, little is known about the sub-culture of gbMSM living with HIV, mental health, substance use, and addictions issues who are engaging in chemsex. As a result, nurses and other clinicians can only provide "patch-work" solutions to manage care for this group. The focus of this doctoral research will to undertake a qualitative research study to understand (1) the sub-cultural norms of gbMSM living with HIV, mental health, substance use, and addictions issues engaging in sexualized drug use and (2) how group values affect health and risk-taking practices. This research could yield promising findings in health and nursing research to help support the development of prevention interventions for gbMSM living with HIV who are engaging in sexualized drug use. Indeed, in the absence of concrete solutions on how to support this sub-group of gbMSM, it is extremely possible that their health and social outcomes will continue to decline, and that this already vulnerable group will become increasingly isolated.