The Committee on Psychology and AIDS collaborated with Behavioral Medicine in publishing a special issue which highlights the biopsychosocial aspects of HIV and aging, culminating more than a year of work. COPA members Timothy Heckman, PhD, and Perry Halkitis, PhD, served as editors. This special issue is now available online at the Behavioral Medicine websiteopens in new window.
The six articles featured in this special issue of Behavioral Medicine are intended to contribute to the still nascent inquiry of disparities among older people living with HIV (OPLWH) and to attend to the diversity of this population and the intersectional identities individuals hold. Our approach to working with this population cannot be directed by an underlying premise that as a group, OPLWH are monolithic. Instead, identifying and addressing disparities within and across different groups of OPLWH is critical if the HIV research community is to develop age-appropriate and culturally-contextualized interventions capable of reducing sexual risk behavior, increasing ART (antiretroviral therapy) adherence, improving psychological well-being and reducing the impact of comorbid health conditions on the growing population of adults aging with HIV.
Featured Articles
- "HIV/AIDS in Older Women: Unique Challenges, Unmet Needs"
Ramani Durvasula, PhD - "Smoking and HIV-related Health Issues among Older HIV-positive Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men"
Danielle C. Ompad, PhD, Molly Kingdon, Sandra Kupprat, Sophia N. Halkitis, Erik David Storholm and Perry N. Halkitis, PhD - "Substance Use and Sexual Risk Differences among Older Bisexual and Gay Men with HIV"
Mark Brennan-Ing, PhD, Kristen E. Porter, Liz Seidel and Stephen E. Karpiak - "Aging and HIV/AIDS: Neurocognitive Implications for Older HIV-Positive Latina/o Adults"
Monica Rivera Mindt, PhD, Caitlin Miranda, Alyssa Arentoft, PhD, Desiree Byrd, Jennifer Monzones, PhD, Armando Fuentes, Francesca Arias, Miguel Arce Renteria, Ana Rosario and Susan Morgello - "Depression Moderates Treatment Efficacy of an HIV Secondary-Prevention Intervention for HIV-Positive Late Middle-Age and Older Adults"
Travis I. Lovejoy, PhD, and Timothy G. Heckman, PhD - "The Moderating Role of Sexual Identity in Group Teletherapy for Adults Aging with HIV"
Bernadette Davantes Heckman, PhD, Travis I. Lovejoy, PhD, Timothy G. Heckman, PhD - "Current Knowledge and Future Directions on Aging and HIV Research"
Charles A. Emlet, PhD
Review the table of contents of the Behavioral Medicine Special Issue: Biopsychosocial Challenges of Older Adults Living with HIVopens in new window.