The Not so micro study
May 14, 2019

“You’re cute for a Brown guy.” Termed ‘microaggressions’, these statements reflect the subtle and often unintentional incursions that members of historically marginalized populations (e.g., gay and bisexual men, ethnic minorities) continue to face daily, resulting in psychological distress. With few exceptions, the literature on microaggressions rarely incorporates intersectional identities (i.e., membership to more than one minority group). For example, research examining the lived experiences of Canadian, South Asian gay and bisexual men (GSAM) is scarce. Moreover, despite incidents of discrimination as predictive of sexual risk taking behaviours (e.g., condomless anal sex), no research has investigated the impact of microaggressions on sexual risk taking behaviours among GSAM. As such, this study will lead to a better understanding of GSAM’s experiences of microaggressions and its impact on mental and sexual health. Operating from a strengths-based framework, the study will also highlight effective coping strategies used by GSAM in face of microaggressions.

This study involves a one on one, audio-recorded interview with an interviewer that can be completed over the phone, in person, or through a secure video service. All in person interviews will take place at the HIV Prevention Lab at Ryerson University. You will be asked questions about your experiences with microaggressions across different settings (e.g., race/ethnic communities, the gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men community), sex (e.g., sex with others, sexual practices and consent), and your experiences with mental health difficulties and health services (e.g., psychological, sexual). You will be compensated $50 for your participation.

Project Thrive+
May 24, 2018

Project THRIVE+ (Project THRIVE Plus) is a 10 session individual cognitive behavioural therapy treatment to reduce trauma-related distress and increase antiretroviral treatment adherence and engagement in HIV care in gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men living with HIV. In this study, participants will be randomly assigned to receive 10 individual counselling sessions or 2 individual counselling sessions. Randomization will be stratified by the presence or absence of post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis. Participants will complete baseline assessments involving self-report questionnaires and clinician-administered interviews, as well as assessments 3, 6, and 9 months later.

Medication adherence will be tracked through the use of Wisepill dispensers. Treatment adherence will also be assessed through self-report measures and by obtaining viral load and CD4 cell counts from participants’ healthcare providers.

This study is led by Dr. Conall O’Cleirigh (the Fenway Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Harvard Medical School) and Dr. Trevor Hart (HIV Prevention Lab Director, Ryerson University and the University of Toronto).

GQ Arousal Study
May 24, 2018

Erectile dysfunction has been associated with considerable mental health problems and is particularly prevalent among gay men. Psychological treatment protocols for sexual dysfunctions aim at challenging beliefs and expectations about the importance of a “perfect sexual performance”. However, to date, little scientific evidence exists for the relationship between erectile dysfunction and sexual expectations.

The main purpose of the study is to gain a better understanding of sexual arousal in gay men. In particular, the study aims to understand how certain sexual expectations or beliefs can contribute to either healthy sexual function or difficulties with sexual arousal in gay men. This physiological investigation uses thermal imaging to detect genital temperature.

GPS Implementation Science
July 13, 2017

GPS is a peer-delivered sexual health promotion and HIV prevention counselling program. The GPS program has 4 components: information provision regarding HIV and sexually transmitted infections, motivational interviewing counselling, sexual health behavioural skills building, and linkage to care. This adaptation grant has three goals:

(1) establish a multi-region and multisectoral team that can deliver the revised program across a variety of settings

(2) learn how to adapt and deliver GPS as an individual program and for HIV-negative as well as HIV-positive gay, bisexual, queer, two-spirit, and other men who have sex with men

(3) to pilot the individual program in 5 settings.

We conducted qualitative interviews and focus groups with community members and service providers in 4 cities across Canada in which we elicited feedback on the feasibility and sustainability of the adapted program, invited reflections on the strengths and limitations of the program, and received input on ways to improve the adapted program and overcome limitations.

The adapted individual program will be piloted at the Heath Initiative for Men in Vancouver, the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection in London, the AIDS Committee of Toronto, and MAX Ottawa, Gay Zone, and the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa.

Gay, Bi, Queer Men’s Sexual Pain Study
November 10, 2016

Pain when bottoming (i.e., receptive anal intercourse; when your partner inserts their penis or an object into your anus) is common, with approximately 12.5% to 18% of gay, bi, and queer men complaining of this difficulty. Unfortunately, little is known about the symptoms and causes of pain when bottoming as well as the impact this difficulty has on the lives of gay, bi, and queer men. Gaining a better understanding of the experiences of gay, bi, and queer men with pain when bottoming is important for the development of effective medical and psychosocial treatments for this population.

Natalie Stratton, M.A., is the Principal Investigator on this study.

This research study has been reviewed and approved by the Ryerson University Research Ethics Board.

Positive Sleep Study
September 8, 2016

Insomnia is a problem for approximately 75% of people living with HIV, which is much higher than the 6% to 10% of people with insomnia in the general population. It is currently unknown why the rate of insomnia is so high among people living with HIV, and because of this, they are often excluded from clinical trials examining the usefulness of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), which is recommended as the first-line treatment for insomnia. Insomnia is also associated with poorer immune functioning and lower medication adherence.

The main purpose of this study is to examine whether cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia is useful at reducing insomnia among people living with HIV, and whether it is safe to provide to this population. It has already been shown to be safe and effective at reducing insomnia among the general population. Another purpose of this study is to explore whether reducing insomnia will lead to improved immune functioning and medication adherence. A third purpose of this study is to collect feedback about people’s experiences receiving the therapy. A fourth purpose is to look at which behavioural and other psychological factors (such as daytime napping and stress) are associated with insomnia severity in order to better understand why the rate of insomnia is so high in this population, and to help design effective treatments for insomnia specific to people living with HIV.