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Bridge to Belonging: Peer Led Intervention to Reduce Loneliness and Depression Among Older Gay and Bisexual Men

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
50 Years and older
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

  • Procedures mentioned: Interviews

Only what the study's summary and detailed description on ClinicalTrials.gov say. Time periods may describe the whole study or a part of it — ask the study team what applies to you.

Show the study's own words
  • "The current study will conduct a proof-of-concept pilot (Aim 3; N=40) to assess the primary outcomes of feasibility (e.g. recruitment, delivery, retention rates, etc.). and acceptability (e.g. quantitative satisfaction measures and qualitative exit interviews of participants) of the B2B intervention."
Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests whether Bridge to Belonging is practical to offer and welcomed by older gay and bisexual men living with HIV. The peer-led program aims to reduce loneliness and depression by building social skills and helping men connect with services for older adults that welcome LGBTQ+ people.

Older gay and bisexual men living with HIV (OGBMLH) are more likely to experience depression and loneliness, which can lead to negative health outcomes. This mixed-methods research study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Bridge to Belonging (B2B) intervention. B2B is a peer-delivered, manualized program designed to increase engagement in LGBTQ+-affirming elder services and thereby reduce loneliness and depression among OGBMLH. The program utilizes a) cognitive behavioral therapy-based Friendship Enrichment Program (FEP) to build social skills; b) Peer Mentoring (PM) to model and support engagement in community services; and c) connecting participants to affirming elder services such as meal programs, bereavement groups, social activities, etc. Interventions like B2B are essential to the NIH's goal of improving access to behavioral interventions through advances in HIV/AIDS research.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Have HIV and provide proof of your HIV status.
  • Be willing to share your HIV-related health records.
  • Identify as a man who has sex with men.
  • Be able to understand the study and agree to join in English.
  • Be age 50 or older.
  • Score at least 2 on the PHQ-2, a short depression survey, OR at least 4 on the UCLA Shortened Loneliness Scale, a loneliness survey.

Who can't join

  • Do not have HIV.
  • Do not identify as a man who has sex with men.
  • Are younger than 50.
  • Score below 2 on the depression survey AND below 4 on the loneliness survey.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * HIV+ and provide evidence or documentation of HIV+ status * Willing to release HIV-related health records * Self-identify as a man who has sex with men * Able to provide informed consent in English * Be ≥50 years old * Score at least a 2 on the PHQ-2 OR score at least a 4 on the UCLA Shortened Loneliness Scale Exclusion Criteria: * HIV- * Does not self-identify as a man who has sex with men * Is less than 50 years old * Scores less than 2 on the PHQ-2 AND scores less than 4 on the UCLA Shortened Loneliness Scale

Study sites (1)

MA