“God Didn’t Make a Mistake in Creating Me”: Intrapersonal Resilience Processes among Gay and Bisexual Male Youth in Kenya

Abstract

Gay and bisexual male youth in Kenya experience human rights violations, including pervasive stigma and discrimination, and these oppressive forces are associated with elevated rates of mental health concerns. Despite these challenges, many gay and bisexual male youth in Kenya are thriving during this critical developmental period. This study explored intrapersonal processes that gay and bisexual male youth in Kisumu, Kenya, highlight as important to developing, and demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 40 gay and bisexual male youth, ages 20–30 (mean = 26.4), and an additional 20 IDIs with gay and bisexual men, ages 22–45 (mean = 26.6), who were working as peer educators (total n = 60), all in Kisumu, Kenya. A total of nine primary themes emerged which describe various intrapersonal resilience processes enacted by gay and bisexual male youth, including sexual identity acceptance, self-confidence, self-love, religious/spiritual affirmation, adaptive coping, successful navigation, legal rights awareness, economic stability, and advocacy satisfaction. These data demonstrate the range of positive personal processes that promote mental health and wellbeing among gay and bisexual male youth in Kenya. We discuss implications of these findings for community-based interventions, and call for a research paradigm shift away from deficits and toward resilience.

“You’ll Be Chased Away”: Sources, Experiences, and Effects of Violence and Stigma among Gay and Bisexual Men in Kenya

“…Although the Minority Stress Model originated in the US, it has proven to be a useful tool for studying the health of gay and bisexual men in Kenya [3,4] as well as other Sub-Saharan African countries [21][22][23][24][25][26]. Similarly, resilience frameworks have been used in studies of gay and bisexual men in Kenya to highlight the strengths of this community in the face of adversity and to create a research paradigm shift towards strengths-based rather than deficit-based research [27].…”

“…Despite the recognition of the growing burden of mental health concerns across Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa, limited data exists to examine the mental health of Kenyan gay and bisexual men, as most studies focusing on this population are focused on sexual health and HIV prevention/treatment [3,[27][28][29]. However, the available data, as predicted by the Minority Stress Model, reveal a high burden of unaddressed mental health challenges.…”

“…The socio-ecological model is a useful tool for the conceptualization of the multifaceted stigma faced by Kenyan gay and bisexual men, as well as the resilience assets and resources which may serve as a buffer between this stigma and associated negative health outcomes [18,[30][31][32]. Examining elements of stigma or resilience at different socioecological levels not only provides a deeper understanding of the phenomenon, but also may facilitate the creation of interventions which target specific levels to improve health outcomes [27,33]. For example, Harper et al [30] found that perceived social support was associated with condom use and higher self-esteem among GBMSM in western Kenya.…”

“When you talk it out … you will feel like the burden has somehow gone down, you will feel light”: Social Support Received by Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Western Kenya

“…Some of these identity-affirming workplaces include local GBMSM-friendly clinics and LGBTQ organizations focused on health and human rights. Many GBMSM in Western Kenya work or volunteer with LGBTQ-affirming clinics and organizations as community health workers and peer educators, simultaneously contributing to the overall health and social connectedness of their communities [21]. This work should be recognized and valued by local communities, and clinics and organizations serving GBMSM should prioritize hiring GBMSM community members in salaried positions.…”

“…Given the high prevalence of sexual orientation-related stressors experienced by GBMSM in Kenya and the implications of these minority stressors for health and wellbeing, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the adaptive coping strategies that help GBMSM survive and thrive [21]. Social support-one such resilience-promoting factor-refers to interpersonal interactions that are meant to be helpful.…”