"The bereavement experiences of older gay males 55 and older whose partner's death results from a non-HIV/AIDS-related event"

Overview:
My Name is Paula M. Allen. I am a Doctoral Candidate attending Capella University. I am working on a doctoral dissertation entitled "The bereavement experiences of older gay males 55 and older whose partner's death results from a non-HIV/AIDS-related event".

My research is overseen by my faculty mentor, Dr. David Hart. My research will examine the experiences of gay males 55 and older who have experienced a partner's non-HIV-related death. 

I aim to explore the phenomena within this experience to bring awareness of their perceptions of the bereavement process and how it has affected their lives in an environment that predominantly adopts heterosexual normalities. Information shared through their face-to-face interviews will provide future students in the Counseling Education and Supervision Program the knowledge to advocate for older gay males whose partner's death resulted from a non-HIV/AIDS-related event and their grief process within this experience. I am requesting permission to engage in the following research activities:

•        Requesting to post a flyer for my research study to acquire potential gay male participants 55 and older.
•        Conduct the screening of the sample to minimize the risk
•        Set a time to speak with the sample group
•        Interview sample for 45-60 minutes via Zoom.

The Capella University Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved my project in the summer quarter of 2025.  All data that I collect will be kept confidential in accordance with Capella policy and best practices for ethical research; neither participants nor sites will be identified in any report of my findings or in my published dissertation. I will provide a copy of the aggregate results from this study upon your request. I have included my contact information below if you have any concerns about this request.

Study Type:
Qualitative

IRB Approved:
Yes

Target Audience:
Gay Men 55 and older

Target Audience:
10

How to Apply:
Email pallen22@capellauniversity.edu and they will send the informed consent. 

Study Contact:
Paula M. Allen, MSCMHC, Capella University, Doctoral Candidate
pallen22@capellauniversity.edu

Mentor: David Hart, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CTMH 
Mental Health Counseling, Counselor Education and Supervision  
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences  
Capella University  
Direct: (314) 413-6485 (CST)
david.hart@capella.edu​