Building upon the findings from the Research on Older Adults with HIV (ROAH) study, ACRIA’s behavioral researchers are involved in a number of applied research projects aimed at addressing the  emerging needs of adults living and growing older with HIV.

Health and Psychosocial Needs of Older LGBT Adults with and without HIV
The Center on Halsted (Chicago, IL), a community center for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals, has partnered with ACRIA on a one-year research project (2009-2010) examining the social support, caregiving and service needs of LGBT adults 50+ in their community.  This effort provides valuable evidence for future advocacy and program planning efforts, as well as helping us to better understand the impact of aging with HIV in the LGBT population. This study has piloted research on the sexual health and wellness of the older LGBT population in collaboration with Stacy Lindau, MD, a researcher and geriatrician at the University  of Chicago Medical School who conducted the historic research on older adults and their sexuality, with plans to conduct a nation-wide pilot of these data in the near future.  A copy of the final report is available and initial publications will focus on the service utilization and unmet service needs of these older adults.

US-UK Cross-national Studies on Older Adults with HIV
ACRIA researchers have partnered with colleagues at Terrence Higgins Trust and Chelsea Westminster Hospital to examine the international phenomenon of aging with HIV. ACRIA and the Terence Higgins Trust are conducting a cross national comparison of data that the Trust had conducted on older adults with HIV throughout the UK. One major finding was that depression affected older adults with HIV in both countries, with more severe depression in the U.S. Tobacco and drug use were highest in the U.S., but higher rates of alcohol use were observed in the U.K.  An adaptation of ACRIA’s ROAH research effort is currently being pilot-tested in the UK at the Chelsea Westminster  Hospital in London, with the full-scale study expected to launch in 2011.

Service and Social Care Needs of Older Adults Living with HIV
Recently, an extension of the ROAH study with a greater focus on the social supports, caregiving resources, formal service needs, and their utilization by adults 50 and older with HIV was completed in partnership with Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC). Better understanding of these issues among older people with HIV will have tremendous implications in meeting the future long-term care needs of this population. The Executive Summary of the GMHC research effort is available and the initial detailed data analyses for publication will focus on:

• Service utilization patterns, needs and barriers among older adults with HIV
• Reduced functionality regarding activities of daily living as adults with HIV age
• Need for caregiving and the provision of caregiving help by older adults with HIV

A Telephone Depression Intervention for Older Adults with HIV
Older adults with HIV have rates of depression five times greater than other adults without the virus. With funding from The Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation and The Keith Haring Foundation, ACRIA has launched a study aimed at demonstrating that depression can be quickly diagnosed and effectively treated in older adults with HIV, adapting the MacArthur Model of depression screening and treatment. We are testing the effectiveness of a simple telephone intervention aimed at increasing adherence to depression treatment and reducing social isolation. Initial results found a dramatic decrease in depressive symptoms for those enrolled in the program. This study is ongoing and we are recruiting participants for a second phase where we will confirm and validate our initial findings.

For additional information on ACRIA’s behavioral research, or to see if you are eligible to be a research participant, please contact Stephen Karpiak, PhD, Associate Director for Research, on (212) 924-3934, ext. 109, or at skarpiak@acria.org. You can also contact Mark Brennan, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, on (212) 924-3934, ext. 131, or at mbrennan@acria.org.

ACRIA Behavioral Research Publications and Presentations

Publications

Vance, D., Brennan, M., Enah C., Smith G.,  Kaur, J. (2011). Religion, spirituality, and older adults with HIV: critical personal and social resources for an aging epidemic. Clinical Interventions in Aging 2011:6 101–109.  

Brennan, M., Strauss, S. M., & Karpiak, S. E. (2010). Religious congregations and the growing needs of older adults with HIV. Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging, 22(4), 307-328.

Golub, S, A., Tomassilli, J. C., Pantalone, D. W., Brennan, M., Karpiak, S. E., & Parsons, J. T. (2010). Prevalence and correlates of sexual behavior and risk management among HIV-positive adults over 50. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 37(10), 615-620.

Grov, C., Golub, S. A., Parsons, J. T., Brennan, M., & Karpiak, S. E. (2010). Loneliness and HIV-related stigma explain depression among older HIV-positive adults. AIDS Care, 16, 1-10.

Brent, R., Brennan, M., & Karpiak, S. E. (2010). Economic evaluations of HIV prevention in rich countries and the need to focus on the aging of the HIV-positive population. Current Opinion in HIV and AIDS, 5(3), 255-60.

Brennan, M., Applebaum, A., Cantor, M. H., Shippy, R. A., & Karpiak. S. E. (2009). Contributors to depressive symptoms in older women with HIV: Health and psychosocial stressors. In P. Hernandez and S. Alonso (Eds.), Women and depression, pp. 275-309. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers.

Brennan, M., Karpiak, S. E., Shippy, A. R., & Cantor, M. H. (Eds., 2009). Older Adults with HIV: An in-depth examination of an emerging population. New York: Nova Science Publishers.

Brennan, M. (2008). Older men living with HIV: The importance of spirituality. Generations, 32(1), 54-61.

Karpiak, S. (2007). Reality demands change: People over age 50 living with HIV continues to increase. Treatment Issues, 17:2.

Reece, M., Tanner, A. E., Karpiak, S. E., & Coffey, K. (2007). The impact of HIV-related stigma on HIV care and prevention providers. Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services, 6(3), 55-73.

Shippy, R.A., & Karpiak, S.E. (2005). The aging HIV/AIDS population: Fragile social networks.  Aging & Mental  Health, 9(3), 246-254.

Shippy, R.A., & Karpiak, S.E. (2005). Perceptions of support among older adults with HIV.  Research on Aging, 27(3), 290-306.

Cantor, M. H., Brennan, M., & Shippy, R. A. (2004). Caregiving among older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender New Yorkers.  Final report. Washington, DC: National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Policy Institute.

Shippy, R.A., Mendez, D., Jones, K., Cergnul, I., Brown, R., & Karpiak, S.E.  (2004). S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM-e) for the treatment of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS.  BMC Psychiatry, 4:38.

Local, National and International Conference Presentations

Seidel, L., Karpiak, S. E., & Brennan, M. (2011, January). Gender Differences in Support Preferences among Older Adults with HIV. In Emerging Research in Knowledge, Prevention and Care of Older Adults At-Risk for or Infected with HIV (C. A. Emlet, Chair). Symposium paper presented at the 15^th Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, Tampa, FL

Brennan, M., Strauss, S. M., & Karpiak, S. E. (November, 2010). Is nondisclosure to religious congregations a barrier to support for older adults with HIV? Paper presented at the symposium, Spiritual resources in older adults and illness: Resilience and supports for diverse care needs, (K. Trevino & M. Brennan, Chairs) at the 63^rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, LA.

Brennan, M., Seidel, L., & Karpiak, S. E. (November, 2010). Evaluating programs on HIV and older adults: Notes from the field. Paper presented at the symposium, HIV/AIDS in Later Adulthood: Current Findings and Future Directions, (N. A. Orel, Chair), at the 63^rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, LA.

Seidel, L. (November, 2010). Housing and older adults with HIV. Paper presented at the symposium, HIV/AIDS in Later Adulthood: Current Findings and Future Directions, (N. A. Orel, Chair), at the 63^rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, LA.

Cahill, S., Brennan, M., Candelario, N., Seidel, S., Guidry, J., & Karpiak, S. E. (November, 2010). Emerging client and service issues for older people with HIV/AIDS. Workshop presented at, The Future of Aging is in Our Hands: A National Conference and Expo for LGBT Older Adults, Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Elders (SAGE), New York, NY.

Brennan, M., &  Hirnshall, G. (Invited Chairs; July, 2010). Aging with HIV: The next challenge of the epidemic. Satellite Meeting presented at the 18^th International AIDS Conference, Vienna, Austria.

Brennan, M., Strauss, S. M., & Karpiak, S. E. (July, 2010). Older adults' disclosure of HIV status to religious congregations: Its relation to HIV stigma and evidence of a "disclosure syndrome." Poster session presented at the 18^th International AIDS Conference, Vienna, Austria.

Brennan, M. (June, 2010). Older adults and HIV/AIDS: What congregations need to know! Invited lecture for the western regional meeting of the New York State AIDS Institute Faith Communities Project, Buffalo, NY.

Brennan, M. (June, 2010). Research on older adults with HIV. Invited lecture at the HIV/AIDS and Aging Conference, Howard University School of Social Work, Washington, DC.

Karpiak, S. E., & Brennan, M. (April, 2010). The emerging population of older adults with HIV. Keynote address for the Ageing with HIV Conference, Staffordshire University, Staffordshire, UK.

Brennan, M., & Vega, M. (March, 2010). The Mapplethorpe-Haring model of depression treatment for older adults with HIV.  Workshop presentation at the Aging in America Conference, Chicago, IL.

Fenley, R., & Brennan, M. (March, 2010). Gay or straight, dementia does not discriminate: A view of caregiving. Workshop presentation at the Aging in America Conference, Chicago, IL.

Brennan, M. (2009, December). Sex and other HIV risk behaviors among adults 50+. Invited workshop presentation, Red ribbons, silver threads: healthy aging in the era of HIV/AIDS.New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute HIV & Aging Forum, New York, NY.

Brennan, M., Vega, M., & Karpiak, S. E. (2009, November). Applying the MacArthur Model of telephone support for depression to older adults living with HIV. Paper presented at the symposium,  Aging with HIV: Challenges to physical and mental wellness. (M. Brennan, Chair), at the 62^nd Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Atlanta, GA.

Brennan, M . (2009, November). Creative approaches to the study of spirituality in later life. Symposium presented at the 62^nd Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Atlanta, GA.

Vance, D. E., & Brennan, M. (2009, November). Designing spiritual interventions for older adults with HIV: Overcoming stigma and activating spiritual resources. Paper presented at the Symposium, Integrating spiritual interventions into older persons care: Is it ethical and is it feasible?  (S. Monod, Chair), at the 62^nd Annual Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Atlanta, GA.

Brennan, M., Cantor, M. H., & Karpiak, S. E. (2009, November). Patterns of social isolation and engagement among older adults with HIV. Paper presented at the symposium, Older adults with HIV: Psychosocial and behavioral factors in health (S. A. Golub, Chair) at the Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association, Philadelphia, PA.

Brennan, M, Vega, M. Karpiak, S. E., & Seidel, L. (2009, October). Reducing the burden of depression among older adults with HIV: The Mapplethorpe-Haring Intervention. Symposium presented at the 37^th Annual Conference of the State Society on Aging of New York, Rochester, NY.

Brennan, M., & Thurston, C. (2009, October). Triple jeopardy: Older minority LGBT caregivers. Paper presented at the 37^th Annual Conference of the State Society on Aging of New York, Rochester, NY.

Markosky, K., & Brennan, M. (2009, October). Older adults and HIV: Tips to address a growing concern. Symposium Presented at the 37^th Annual Conference of the State Society on Aging of New York, Rochester, NY,

Brennan, M., & Karpiak, S. E. (2009, August). Stigma and psychological distress among older adults with HIV: The mediating role of spirituality. In C. Agaibi & M. Brennan (Chairs), Spirituality: An Essential Component of Resilience Despite Personal Loss or Terminal Illness. Symposium presented at the 117^th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.

Brennan, M., Seidel, L, Karpiak, S. E., & Applebaum, A. (2009, August).  Psychological well-being among older adults with HIV. Poster session presented at Symposium presented at the 117^th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada

Brennan, M. & Vega, M. (2009, March). Cultural competency to support Latinos with HIV. Workshop presented at Aging in America Conference (ASA/NCOA). Las Vegas, NV.

Brennan, M., Cantor, M. H., & Karpiak, S. E. (2008, November). Emotional loneliness and social isolation among older Lesbians and Gays with HIV: Is gender a factor? In B. Grossman (Chair), Resilience over the rainbow: Aging in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities. Symposium presented at the annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, National Harbor, MA.

Brennan, M., Cantor, M. H., & Karpiak. S. E. (2008, November). Factors affecting disclosure of HIV status among older adults. Poster session presented at the annual scientific meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, National Harbor, MA.

Brennan, M., Vega, M., & Karpiak, S. E.  (2008, October). Designing and implementing a culturally-competent telephone support intervention for older Latinos with HIV. Paper session presented at the annual meeting of the State Society on Aging of New York, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Brennan, M., & Hunt, C. (2008, October). Seniors educating seniors. HIV/AIDS over 50 101. Paper session presented at the annual meeting of the State Society on Aging of New York, Saratoga Springs, NY.

Brennan, M., Vance, D. E., Shippy, R. A., & Karpiak, S. E. (2008, August). Stigma, spiritual abuse, and resilience among older adults with HIV. Paper presented in the symposium, "Resilience in spiritual communities despite stigma, abuse and restriction" (C. E. Agaibi & R. D. Hetzel, Co-Chairs), American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.  August 15, 2008.

Brennan, M., Cantor, M. H., Shippy, R. A., & Karpiak, S. E. (2008, August). Loneliness and social isolation of older adults living with HIV. Poster session presented at the 17^th International AIDS Conference, Mexico City, Mexico.

Brennan, M., Applebaum, A., Cantor, M. H., Shippy, R. A., & Karpiak, S. E. (2008, August). Health and psychosocial stressors contribute to depressive symptoms in older women with HIV. Poster session presented at the 17^th International AIDS Conference, Mexico City, Mexico.

Karpiak, S. E., Shippy, R. A., & Cantor, M. H. (November, 2006). A first look at the growing, aging HIV population: Healthy but at risk. In M. H. Cantor and R. A. Shippy (Chairs), The graying of the epidemic: HIV impacts older adults. Symposium presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Dallas, TX.

DiPietro, N.,  Shippy, R. A., Karpiak, S. E. (August, 2006). Activity and partnership status in older adults with HIV/AIDS. Poster session presented at the 16^th International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada.

Shippy, R. A., Karpiak, S. E., & Cantor, M. H. (August, 2006). Will the social networks of aging adults with HIV/AIDS provide adequate support to maintain health? Poster session presented at the 16^th International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada.

Shippy, R. A., Karpiak, S. E., & Cantor, M. H. (August, 2006). Diagnostic dilemma: Depressive symptomatology in aging adults with HIV/AIDS. Poster session presented at the 16^th International AIDS Conference, Toronto, Canada.

Tanner, A., Reece, M. Karpiak, S. Impact of HIV-Related Stigma on Nurses, APHA (2006).

Shippy, R.A., Karpiak, S.E. (November, 2004).  Does Cognitive Function Impact the Well-being of Today's Aging HIV/AIDS Population? In R.A. Shippy & M.H. Cantor (Chairs), Assessing the realities of cognitive impairment in older adults living with HIV/AIDS. Symposium presented at the 57th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC.

Community Research Initiative on AIDS