Binghamton Research Days Student Presentations
OConnor_Candice.pdfGay Men's Health Crisis: An Ecological Approach
Gay Men's Health Crisis: An Ecological Approach
Candice O'Connor (Senior, Psychology), Natali Avshalomov (Junior, Human Development), Shermont Bradwell (Sophomore, Psychology), Hannah Bronson (Junior, Biological Sciences), Shannon Moore (Graduate, Human Development, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), Katie Ralph (Junior, Social Work), Jasper Otvertchenko (Junior, Psychology)
Candice O'Connor (Senior, Psychology), Natali Avshalomov (Junior, Human Development), Shermont Bradwell (Sophomore, Psychology), Hannah Bronson (Junior, Biological Sciences), Shannon Moore (Graduate, Human Development, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies), Katie Ralph (Junior, Social Work), Jasper Otvertchenko (Junior, Psychology)
Mentors: Sean Massey, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Ann Merriwether, Psychology; Melissa Hardesty, Social Work; Sarah Young, Social Work
Mentors: Sean Massey, Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Ann Merriwether, Psychology; Melissa Hardesty, Social Work; Sarah Young, Social Work
Abstract
The limited early response to the AIDS epidemic deepened existing prejudices against marginalized groups. Healthcare, government assistance, and social services were denied, insufficient, or inaccessible. The Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) formed in NYC in the 1980s as a volunteer-oriented community response to ameliorate social and medical conditions that clients with AIDS faced. Through Bronfenbrenner's Ecological model, GMHC's monthly archives made for the affected community from 1986 to 1988 were qualitatively analyzed to understand the factors that contributed to the client's experiences with GMHC and AIDS. These included client reports, minutes from team leader meetings, board meeting notes, and newsletters. The major themes found in the archival data include relationships between GMHC and government, relationships between members and clients, public perceptions of AIDS, and changes in the organizational structure of staff.
Abstract
The limited early response to the AIDS epidemic deepened existing prejudices against marginalized groups. Healthcare, government assistance, and social services were denied, insufficient, or inaccessible. The Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) formed in NYC in the 1980s as a volunteer-oriented community response to ameliorate social and medical conditions that clients with AIDS faced. Through Bronfenbrenner's Ecological model, GMHC's monthly archives made for the affected community from 1986 to 1988 were qualitatively analyzed to understand the factors that contributed to the client's experiences with GMHC and AIDS. These included client reports, minutes from team leader meetings, board meeting notes, and newsletters. The major themes found in the archival data include relationships between GMHC and government, relationships between members and clients, public perceptions of AIDS, and changes in the organizational structure of staff.