This document summarizes a study on the psychosocial impacts of a new HIV diagnosis on men who have sex with men. It describes the study objectives, mixed quantitative and qualitative methods, and key findings. Participants experienced stigma, worries about disclosure to family/work, impacts on relationships, and reconciling views of HIV. They described anxieties around sex and transmission, and future optimism from treatment. The diagnosis prompted complex identity reshaping as they coped with a new HIV-positive identity.

1. “ I’m Still the Same Person”: Reshaping Identity within the Context of a New HIV Diagnosis Presentation to BCCDC Research Symposium November 16, 2010 Michael Kwag, Malcolm Steinberg, Bill Coleman, Lauren Bailey, Cory Genereaux, Michael Rekart

5. Variable Responses Variable Responses Age Range: 24-52 Mean: 39.1 Median: 41 Employment Status Full-time: 8 Disability: 1 Employment Insurance: 1 Prefer not to say: 1 Ethnicity Aboriginal: 1 Caucasian: 7 Hispanic: 1 South East Asian: 2 Relationship Status Single: 7 Partnered: 3 Dating one or more persons: 1 Education Some high school: 1 Completed high school: 1 Some college/univ: 3 Completed college/univ: 6 City of Residence Vancouver: 8 North Delta: 1 New Westminster: 1 Langley: 1 Income Less than $10,000: 1 $10,000-$30,000: 2 $30,000-$50,000: 2 Greater than $50,000: 4 Prefer not to say: 1 Living Situation Sole occupant rental: 3 Sole owner: 5 Living with family: 2 Other: 1

16. CIHR Acute HIV Study Team and Collaborators HIV Emerging Team National HIV and Retroviral Laboratories James Brooks National Lab for HIV Genetics Paul Sandstrom Terry Trussler, Rick Marchand, Olivier Ferlatte North Carolina HIV/STD Prevention Peter Leone Josephine McIntosh Mathematiics Department Daniel Coombs STI/HIV Prevention & Control Michael Rekart , Michael Kwag, Malcolm Steinberg, Bill Coleman, Mark Gilbert, Gina Ogilvie, Melanie Achen, Glenn Doupe, Daphne Spencer Mathematical Modeling Babak Pourbodoul, Rafael Meza Laboratory Services Mel Krajden, Darrel Cook, Wendy Mei Epidemiology David Patrick Benedikt Fisher Elgin Lim Jody Jollimore, Hans Bosgoed Wayne Robert Captain Snowden Rich Rothenberg Recruitment Sites 12 th Avenue, Bute Street, Spectrum Health, 3 Bridges, Dr Richard Taylor, Cook Street