# Sociocultural Influences on Mental Health Service Utilization for Young Black Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have Sex with Men

> **NIH NIH R21** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $195,504

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Young Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (YB-GBMSM) experience high HIV
prevalence and incidence, but suboptimal rates of engagement across the HIV Continuum of Care (HIV-CoC).
Treatable mental health (MH) conditions such as depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, trauma- and
stressor-related disorders, and substance use are major determinants of HIV-CoC outcomes; however, MH
services utilization rates are low in this population. There is a need for culturally -tailored interventions to
improve MH service utilization among YB-GBMSM, in order to improve both HIV-CoC and MH outcomes. Our
long-term goal is to identify novel approaches to promoting and delivering MH services for YB-GBMSM living
with HIV. The objective of this R21 application is to develop an understanding of influences on MH service
utilization among YB-GBMSM living with HIV. The rationale for the project is that the influences on HIV and MH
care are often overlapping and/or synergistic, and that cultural considerations are critically important to
understanding these factors. Our study will be based in Atlanta, Georgia – an HIV epicenter. The theoretical
foundation for the study is a preliminary conceptual model based on Andersen’s Behavioral Model of Health
Service Use, which we have culturally adapted using theories and frameworks with particular relevance for YB-
GBMSM (minority stress, intersectionality, and resilience). This study will pursue three specific aims: (1) to
qualitatively explore conceptualizations of MH service utilization among YB-GBMSM living with HIV, including
investigation of associated sociocultural, demographic and clinical influences; (2) to quantitatively examine
relationships between constructs in our conceptual model, MH service utilization, and HIV-CoC outcomes; and
(3) To develop program objectives and methods for a culturally-tailored intervention designed to enhance
acceptability and uptake of MH services, and improve HIV-CoC outcomes, among YB-GBMSM living with HIV.
For the first aim, we will conduct N=40 qualitative interviews to understand conceptualizations of MH and MH
services, and to refine a conceptual model based on Andersen’s Behavioral Model. For the second aim, we will
test the relationships in our model using quantitative data from N=200 cross-sectional surveys that we will
conduct with YB-GBMSM living with HIV. For the third aim, we will synthesize the findings from Aims 1 and 2 to
begin development of an intervention to enhance MH service utilization among YB-GBMSM living with HIV,
using the Intervention Mapping approach. The proposed research is highly significant because of its potential
to inform effective strategies for improving HIV-CoC outcomes among YB-GBMSM, with important implications
for both individual and public health outcomes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10136109
- **Project number:** 5R21MH121164-02
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sophia A. Hussen
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $195,504
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10136109

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10136109, Sociocultural Influences on Mental Health Service Utilization for Young Black Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have Sex with Men (5R21MH121164-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10136109. Licensed CC0.

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