Creating a new measure to help Black men who have sex with men cope with stigma related to HIV.
Official title: Developing and Testing a Novel Multidimensional Stigma-Resilience Measure for Stigma Reduction Research with Black Men Who Have Sex with Men
Funded at University of Rochester · NIH-10934581 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to create a helpful tool that measures how Black men who have sex with men handle the stigma they face, by talking to them about their experiences in Nashville, so we can better support their health and well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $199,257 |
| NIH project number | 5R21MD019228-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10934581 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black men who have sex with men and are HIV-negative, particularly those living in Nashville.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Black men who have sex with men or those who are HIV-positive may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a specialized tool to measure resilience against stigma for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM), who often face unique challenges related to race and sexual orientation. The study will involve in-depth interviews with HIV-negative BMSM in Nashville to understand how they cope with the stigma associated with their identities. By focusing on the specific experiences of this community, the research seeks to create a multidimensional scale that accurately reflects their resilience mechanisms. This tool will be essential for future interventions aimed at improving HIV prevention outcomes among BMSM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a valuable resource for improving mental health and HIV prevention strategies for Black men who have sex with men.
How similar studies have gone: While resilience measures exist, this approach is novel as it specifically addresses the unique experiences of BMSM, making it an untested but potentially impactful initiative.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Yu — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Liu, Yu
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.