Aron Harold G . Pamoso | The Australian National University (original) (raw)

Papers by Aron Harold G . Pamoso

Qualitative Health Research, 2024

Previous work has demonstrated that gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) ... more Previous work has demonstrated that gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) living with HIV are likely to experience intersectional stigma. However, mainstream systems often fail to recognize how power and privilege shape this experience. Such a complex psychological phenomenon requires an in-depth reflective inquiry that acknowledges individuals as experts in their own experiences. To explicate this matter, this study aimed to develop an understanding of how intersectional stigma impacts the experiences of GBM living with HIV and to illuminate how contexts (un)fuel inequities. The semi-structured interviews with five Filipino GBM living with HIV were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Exploration of their accounts elucidated how cultural elements fueled power dynamics and privilege, which in turn shaped intersectional stigma and their experiences. Narratives accentuated how Filipino GBM living with HIV situate themselves from victims to agents of change who empower and liberate others in the community. Insights from this study underscore the critical role of collective actions in bridging gaps in inequities and guiding the improvement of policies and interventions that are well-suited to the context and culturally appropriate for people living with HIV and other multiply marginalized populations.

International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2024

It has been argued that we have entered a ‘participatory era’ in mental health research and servi... more It has been argued that we have entered a ‘participatory era’ in mental health research and service delivery (e.g. Bromley et al., 2017, p. 295; Siffels et al., 2021). Claims we are experiencing a ‘participatory turn’ are also borne out by more general publication trends. Figure 1 presents a graph of data from Scopus depicting the number of publications about mental health each year that reference common lived experience engagement terms. We celebrate these trends to the extent they reflect a growing interest in how mental health services and systems might beneficially incorporate the input of people who can provide experiential expertise. However, we are also concerned that a growing emphasis on ‘participation’ may lead to exclusion of people with lived experience from higher levels of decision-making, erasure of the history of lived experience advocacy and contribute to the appropriation of lived experience expertise.

International Perspectives in Psychology, 2023

The importance of quality of life (QoL) was magnified as countries faced the COVID-19 pandemic. T... more The importance of quality of life (QoL) was magnified as countries faced the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the relationship between COVID-19-related stigma and preferred social support to QoL in two Southeast Asian countries. This paper examined (1) the differences in the physical and psychological dimensions of QoL (QoL-PSY, QoL-PHL), COVID-19 perceived stigma (PcS) and public stigma (PS), and preferred social support (PSS) between Indonesia (IDN) and the Philippines (PHP); (2) the associations between PS and PcS with QoL; (3) the associations between PSS and QoL; and (4) the role of the country as a moderator between the relationship of PcS and PSS to QoL. Data were collected from 992 participants (PHP = 564; IDN = 428) through an online survey (April–June 2022) and analyzed through multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), hierarchical multiple regression, and multiple-group path analysis. After controlling for potential covariates, we found significant country differences in QOL and PSS, where Indonesia's estimated means for these two measures were significantly higher than the Philippines. Both domains of PSS had significant positive associations with both QOL domains in the merged sample; similarly, PcS had significant negative associations with both domains of QOL. Path analysis also showed similar significant predictors (PSS and PcS) associated with QoL for both countries with minor coefficient variations, except PS and PSS-ST. The findings show a similar relationship pattern between perceived stigma and social support (strong ties) to the QoL in Indonesia and the Philippines. Cultural interventions to mitigate perceived stigma were suggested in healthcare settings.

Tagik, 2020

This study focus of this study is understand the adolescent's concept of self-harm. A qualitative... more This study focus of this study is understand the adolescent's concept of self-harm. A qualitativephenomenological approach was used and sampling was done purposively with participants already identified through initial intake interviews done at the beginning of the school year. As part of the research process, participants underwent a one-on-one interview was to determine the different challenges they encountered throughout their journey. Results show five (5) themes emerging on the adolescents' concept of self-harm: early life experiences, intrapersonal conflicts, withdrawing from the outside world, demands and pressures, self-harm and ideation. The adolescents' concept of selfharm runs into the following categories: (1) negative thoughts and feelings such as a suicidal ideation, mood swings, anxiety, tiredness, sadness and loneliness. And (2) negative lifeexperiences like high academic demands and pressures, verbal abuse at home, sexual abuse at an early age, grief and false accusation, jealousy, and envy, bullying and vague family support.

Journal of Communication in Healthcare

This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in the Journal... more This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in the Journal of Communication in Healthcare on July 13, 2022, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/17538068.2022.2095098. Background: Patient-centered care (PCC) is the prevailing model of care globally. However, most research on PCC has been conducted in Westernized countries or has focused on only two facets of PCC: decision-making and information exchange. Our study examined how culture influences patients’ preferences for five facets of PCC, including communication, decision-making, empathy, individualized focus, and relationship. Methods: Participants (N = 2071) from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, and the U.S.A. completed an online survey assessing their preferences for exchange of information, autonomy in decision-making, expression and validation of their emotions, focus on them as an individual, and the doctor-patient relationship. Results: Participants from all four countries had similar preferences for empathy and shared decision-making. For other facets of PCC, participants in the Philippines and Australia expressed somewhat similar preferences, as did those in the U.S.A. and Hong Kong, challenging East–West stereotypes. Participants in the Philippines placed greater value on relationships, whereas Australians valued more autonomy. Participants in Hong Kong more commonly preferred doctor-directed care, with less importance placed on the relationship. Responses from U.S.A. participants were surprising, as they ranked the need for individualized care and two-way flow of information as least important. Conclusions: Empathy, information exchange, and shared decision-making are values shared across countries, while preferences for how the information is shared, and the importance of the doctor-patient relationship differ.

This study sought to explore the adolescents' levels of resilience. The study focused on two area... more This study sought to explore the adolescents' levels of resilience. The study focused on two areas: (1) the participant's personal experiences; and, (2) how they coped with such adversities. A qualitative method and purposive sampling technique was utilised for this study. Participants were already identified through initial intake interview done during the onset of the academic year. As part of the research process, participants have undergone in-depth interview and focus group discussion. An in-depth interview was conducted in order to ascertain the different challenges they encounter throughout their journey and how they survived. To understand better, researchers explored their stories of survival through a focus group discussion, which involved five activities. Each of these activities aimed to explore participant's way of dealing different challenging situations at hand. Result shows that family members and family dynamics are the most challenging issues among participants. Being able to survive, defence mechanisms and social support emerged as common themes. With this, a close monitoring, teachers coordination and future research are therefore recommended.

Medical Care Research and Review, 2022

This is an original manuscript of an article published by SAGE Publications in Medical Care Resea... more This is an original manuscript of an article published by SAGE Publications in Medical Care Research and Review on July 11, 2022, available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/10775587221108749. Inadequate consideration has been given to patient preferences for patient-centered care (PCC) across countries or cultures in our increasingly global society. We examined what 1,698 participants from the United States, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Australia described as important when making health care decisions. Analysis of frequencies following directed content coding of open-ended questions revealed differences in patients’ preferences for doctor behaviors and decision-making considerations across countries. Being well informed by their doctor emerged as most important in decision-making, especially in Hong Kong. Participants in Australia and the United States wanted their doctor to meet their emotional needs. The safety and efficacy of treatments were the most common consideration, especially for Hong Kong. Findings suggest that doctors should focus on information exchange and identifying patient concerns about efficacy, lifestyle impact, cost, and recovery speed. Rather than assuming patients prefer shared decision-making, doctors must assess patient’s decision control preferences.

Conference Presentations by Aron Harold G . Pamoso

The 24th International AIDS Conference, 2022

BACKGROUND: Stigma against HIV/AIDS and key populations are well-investigated in the social scien... more BACKGROUND: Stigma against HIV/AIDS and key populations are well-investigated in the social sciences. However, the endpoint of research is often publication in scientific journals, to which the public may have limited access. This project explored how art can translate scientific research into a widely accessible format. DESCRIPTION: The project translated insights from the #MayStigmaBa qualitative research into performances. Using the Devising Method (Oddey, 1994; Heddon & Milling 2006), four performer-collaborators and the devising director performed the following in 11 days: dramatistic-thematic analysis; improvisation, storytelling, and scene studies exploration; live scriptwriting; output refinement; and filming. Five films (3 to 5 minutes each) were produced, each representing and communicating the following insights from the research: layers of stigma on LGBT persons; psychological distress experienced when considering an HIV test; difficulty of sex conversations; challenges of starting sex conversations; and media viewing as an aid for beginning challenging conversations. The videos were launched through a public Livestream and released on YouTube. LESSONS LEARNED: The project demonstrated that devising can translate qualitative research data into a widely communicable medium within a short timeframe. The collaborative-reflective process enabled artists to reflect upon their own stigma experiences and deepen their understanding of stigma as a social issue. CONCLUSIONS: By translating research into a widely communicable medium, the arts may aid in disseminating scientific knowledge to audiences beyond the scientific community, which may be important for consensus building for stigmatized communities and their allies. Devising may be a technique for deepening the commitment of individuals to combat stigma in their communities. Next steps entail formal evaluation on the reach and effectiveness of the stigma reduction campaign. This will be used in HIV program development towards achieving the UNAIDS Global Strategy of having less than 10% of key populations experiencing stigma and discrimination. Following the recommendations of the Human Rights Baseline Report Philippines (PA 1.4: Expansion of outreach activities to include specific attention to stigma and discrimination as barriers to access to services), the devising methodology, as well as the outputs, can be used to create information, education, and communication materials and outreach activities.

The 24th International AIDS Conference, 2022

BACKGROUND: HIV stigma is a barrier to HIV awareness and testing for men who have sex with men an... more BACKGROUND: HIV stigma is a barrier to HIV awareness and testing for men who have sex with men and trans women. Stigma as a research construct, however, can be limited to understanding the intra-psychological states of individuals and ignore interpersonal processes. This study explores HIV stigma using an interpersonal lens and its impact on talking about and getting tested for HIV.
METHODS: The study conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews of key populations and their parents between August and October 2021. Interviews lasted between 1 and 2 hours. Key population participants consisted of 19 men who have sex with men and 16 trans women. Of these, 19 were ages 18-29, and 16 were 40 years or older; 19 have tested and 16 have never been tested for HIV. Parent participants consisted of 8 fathers and 8 mothers who had at least one child that met key population criteria. Participants represented all macro-geographic regions of the Philippines. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, subjected to thematic analysis, and coded. An analytic model was produced through an iterative collaborative process and validated using coded data.
RESULTS: Data suggest that the burden of HIV stigma in the Philippines should be understood in relation to its intersection with the stigma on LGBT identities. To counteract stigma on their identities, Philippine LGBT persons employ a range of behavioral strategies to enhance their social standing. Under normal circumstances, talking about and getting tested for HIV occur when doing so enhances or does not threaten social standing. Conversely, talking about and getting tested for HIV appear not to occur under normal circumstances when doing so threatens social standing. An exception to this model is emergency situations when social standing as a concern becomes less salient.
CONCLUSIONS: This model can be useful for making sense of the effectiveness of current and future strategies for increasing HIV awareness and uptake of HIV testing in the Philippines. It also points to the value of interventions for counteracting LGBT stigma as a way to alleviate the burden of HIV stigma on men who have sex with men and trans women in the Philippines.

Qualitative Health Research, 2024

Previous work has demonstrated that gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) ... more Previous work has demonstrated that gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) living with HIV are likely to experience intersectional stigma. However, mainstream systems often fail to recognize how power and privilege shape this experience. Such a complex psychological phenomenon requires an in-depth reflective inquiry that acknowledges individuals as experts in their own experiences. To explicate this matter, this study aimed to develop an understanding of how intersectional stigma impacts the experiences of GBM living with HIV and to illuminate how contexts (un)fuel inequities. The semi-structured interviews with five Filipino GBM living with HIV were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Exploration of their accounts elucidated how cultural elements fueled power dynamics and privilege, which in turn shaped intersectional stigma and their experiences. Narratives accentuated how Filipino GBM living with HIV situate themselves from victims to agents of change who empower and liberate others in the community. Insights from this study underscore the critical role of collective actions in bridging gaps in inequities and guiding the improvement of policies and interventions that are well-suited to the context and culturally appropriate for people living with HIV and other multiply marginalized populations.

International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 2024

It has been argued that we have entered a ‘participatory era’ in mental health research and servi... more It has been argued that we have entered a ‘participatory era’ in mental health research and service delivery (e.g. Bromley et al., 2017, p. 295; Siffels et al., 2021). Claims we are experiencing a ‘participatory turn’ are also borne out by more general publication trends. Figure 1 presents a graph of data from Scopus depicting the number of publications about mental health each year that reference common lived experience engagement terms. We celebrate these trends to the extent they reflect a growing interest in how mental health services and systems might beneficially incorporate the input of people who can provide experiential expertise. However, we are also concerned that a growing emphasis on ‘participation’ may lead to exclusion of people with lived experience from higher levels of decision-making, erasure of the history of lived experience advocacy and contribute to the appropriation of lived experience expertise.

International Perspectives in Psychology, 2023

The importance of quality of life (QoL) was magnified as countries faced the COVID-19 pandemic. T... more The importance of quality of life (QoL) was magnified as countries faced the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to determine the relationship between COVID-19-related stigma and preferred social support to QoL in two Southeast Asian countries. This paper examined (1) the differences in the physical and psychological dimensions of QoL (QoL-PSY, QoL-PHL), COVID-19 perceived stigma (PcS) and public stigma (PS), and preferred social support (PSS) between Indonesia (IDN) and the Philippines (PHP); (2) the associations between PS and PcS with QoL; (3) the associations between PSS and QoL; and (4) the role of the country as a moderator between the relationship of PcS and PSS to QoL. Data were collected from 992 participants (PHP = 564; IDN = 428) through an online survey (April–June 2022) and analyzed through multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), hierarchical multiple regression, and multiple-group path analysis. After controlling for potential covariates, we found significant country differences in QOL and PSS, where Indonesia's estimated means for these two measures were significantly higher than the Philippines. Both domains of PSS had significant positive associations with both QOL domains in the merged sample; similarly, PcS had significant negative associations with both domains of QOL. Path analysis also showed similar significant predictors (PSS and PcS) associated with QoL for both countries with minor coefficient variations, except PS and PSS-ST. The findings show a similar relationship pattern between perceived stigma and social support (strong ties) to the QoL in Indonesia and the Philippines. Cultural interventions to mitigate perceived stigma were suggested in healthcare settings.

Tagik, 2020

This study focus of this study is understand the adolescent's concept of self-harm. A qualitative... more This study focus of this study is understand the adolescent's concept of self-harm. A qualitativephenomenological approach was used and sampling was done purposively with participants already identified through initial intake interviews done at the beginning of the school year. As part of the research process, participants underwent a one-on-one interview was to determine the different challenges they encountered throughout their journey. Results show five (5) themes emerging on the adolescents' concept of self-harm: early life experiences, intrapersonal conflicts, withdrawing from the outside world, demands and pressures, self-harm and ideation. The adolescents' concept of selfharm runs into the following categories: (1) negative thoughts and feelings such as a suicidal ideation, mood swings, anxiety, tiredness, sadness and loneliness. And (2) negative lifeexperiences like high academic demands and pressures, verbal abuse at home, sexual abuse at an early age, grief and false accusation, jealousy, and envy, bullying and vague family support.

Journal of Communication in Healthcare

This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in the Journal... more This is an original manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in the Journal of Communication in Healthcare on July 13, 2022, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/17538068.2022.2095098. Background: Patient-centered care (PCC) is the prevailing model of care globally. However, most research on PCC has been conducted in Westernized countries or has focused on only two facets of PCC: decision-making and information exchange. Our study examined how culture influences patients’ preferences for five facets of PCC, including communication, decision-making, empathy, individualized focus, and relationship. Methods: Participants (N = 2071) from Hong Kong, the Philippines, Australia, and the U.S.A. completed an online survey assessing their preferences for exchange of information, autonomy in decision-making, expression and validation of their emotions, focus on them as an individual, and the doctor-patient relationship. Results: Participants from all four countries had similar preferences for empathy and shared decision-making. For other facets of PCC, participants in the Philippines and Australia expressed somewhat similar preferences, as did those in the U.S.A. and Hong Kong, challenging East–West stereotypes. Participants in the Philippines placed greater value on relationships, whereas Australians valued more autonomy. Participants in Hong Kong more commonly preferred doctor-directed care, with less importance placed on the relationship. Responses from U.S.A. participants were surprising, as they ranked the need for individualized care and two-way flow of information as least important. Conclusions: Empathy, information exchange, and shared decision-making are values shared across countries, while preferences for how the information is shared, and the importance of the doctor-patient relationship differ.

This study sought to explore the adolescents' levels of resilience. The study focused on two area... more This study sought to explore the adolescents' levels of resilience. The study focused on two areas: (1) the participant's personal experiences; and, (2) how they coped with such adversities. A qualitative method and purposive sampling technique was utilised for this study. Participants were already identified through initial intake interview done during the onset of the academic year. As part of the research process, participants have undergone in-depth interview and focus group discussion. An in-depth interview was conducted in order to ascertain the different challenges they encounter throughout their journey and how they survived. To understand better, researchers explored their stories of survival through a focus group discussion, which involved five activities. Each of these activities aimed to explore participant's way of dealing different challenging situations at hand. Result shows that family members and family dynamics are the most challenging issues among participants. Being able to survive, defence mechanisms and social support emerged as common themes. With this, a close monitoring, teachers coordination and future research are therefore recommended.

Medical Care Research and Review, 2022

This is an original manuscript of an article published by SAGE Publications in Medical Care Resea... more This is an original manuscript of an article published by SAGE Publications in Medical Care Research and Review on July 11, 2022, available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/10775587221108749. Inadequate consideration has been given to patient preferences for patient-centered care (PCC) across countries or cultures in our increasingly global society. We examined what 1,698 participants from the United States, Hong Kong, Philippines, and Australia described as important when making health care decisions. Analysis of frequencies following directed content coding of open-ended questions revealed differences in patients’ preferences for doctor behaviors and decision-making considerations across countries. Being well informed by their doctor emerged as most important in decision-making, especially in Hong Kong. Participants in Australia and the United States wanted their doctor to meet their emotional needs. The safety and efficacy of treatments were the most common consideration, especially for Hong Kong. Findings suggest that doctors should focus on information exchange and identifying patient concerns about efficacy, lifestyle impact, cost, and recovery speed. Rather than assuming patients prefer shared decision-making, doctors must assess patient’s decision control preferences.

The 24th International AIDS Conference, 2022

BACKGROUND: Stigma against HIV/AIDS and key populations are well-investigated in the social scien... more BACKGROUND: Stigma against HIV/AIDS and key populations are well-investigated in the social sciences. However, the endpoint of research is often publication in scientific journals, to which the public may have limited access. This project explored how art can translate scientific research into a widely accessible format. DESCRIPTION: The project translated insights from the #MayStigmaBa qualitative research into performances. Using the Devising Method (Oddey, 1994; Heddon & Milling 2006), four performer-collaborators and the devising director performed the following in 11 days: dramatistic-thematic analysis; improvisation, storytelling, and scene studies exploration; live scriptwriting; output refinement; and filming. Five films (3 to 5 minutes each) were produced, each representing and communicating the following insights from the research: layers of stigma on LGBT persons; psychological distress experienced when considering an HIV test; difficulty of sex conversations; challenges of starting sex conversations; and media viewing as an aid for beginning challenging conversations. The videos were launched through a public Livestream and released on YouTube. LESSONS LEARNED: The project demonstrated that devising can translate qualitative research data into a widely communicable medium within a short timeframe. The collaborative-reflective process enabled artists to reflect upon their own stigma experiences and deepen their understanding of stigma as a social issue. CONCLUSIONS: By translating research into a widely communicable medium, the arts may aid in disseminating scientific knowledge to audiences beyond the scientific community, which may be important for consensus building for stigmatized communities and their allies. Devising may be a technique for deepening the commitment of individuals to combat stigma in their communities. Next steps entail formal evaluation on the reach and effectiveness of the stigma reduction campaign. This will be used in HIV program development towards achieving the UNAIDS Global Strategy of having less than 10% of key populations experiencing stigma and discrimination. Following the recommendations of the Human Rights Baseline Report Philippines (PA 1.4: Expansion of outreach activities to include specific attention to stigma and discrimination as barriers to access to services), the devising methodology, as well as the outputs, can be used to create information, education, and communication materials and outreach activities.

The 24th International AIDS Conference, 2022

BACKGROUND: HIV stigma is a barrier to HIV awareness and testing for men who have sex with men an... more BACKGROUND: HIV stigma is a barrier to HIV awareness and testing for men who have sex with men and trans women. Stigma as a research construct, however, can be limited to understanding the intra-psychological states of individuals and ignore interpersonal processes. This study explores HIV stigma using an interpersonal lens and its impact on talking about and getting tested for HIV.
METHODS: The study conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews of key populations and their parents between August and October 2021. Interviews lasted between 1 and 2 hours. Key population participants consisted of 19 men who have sex with men and 16 trans women. Of these, 19 were ages 18-29, and 16 were 40 years or older; 19 have tested and 16 have never been tested for HIV. Parent participants consisted of 8 fathers and 8 mothers who had at least one child that met key population criteria. Participants represented all macro-geographic regions of the Philippines. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, translated, subjected to thematic analysis, and coded. An analytic model was produced through an iterative collaborative process and validated using coded data.
RESULTS: Data suggest that the burden of HIV stigma in the Philippines should be understood in relation to its intersection with the stigma on LGBT identities. To counteract stigma on their identities, Philippine LGBT persons employ a range of behavioral strategies to enhance their social standing. Under normal circumstances, talking about and getting tested for HIV occur when doing so enhances or does not threaten social standing. Conversely, talking about and getting tested for HIV appear not to occur under normal circumstances when doing so threatens social standing. An exception to this model is emergency situations when social standing as a concern becomes less salient.
CONCLUSIONS: This model can be useful for making sense of the effectiveness of current and future strategies for increasing HIV awareness and uptake of HIV testing in the Philippines. It also points to the value of interventions for counteracting LGBT stigma as a way to alleviate the burden of HIV stigma on men who have sex with men and trans women in the Philippines.