Bridge to Belonging: Peer Led Intervention to Reduce Loneliness and Depression Among Older Gay and Bisexual Men

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor: Fenway Community Health
Study ID: NCT07762066
Status: Recruiting

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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex: ALL
Age: 50 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers: Not accepted

Interventions

B2B Intervention — BEHAVIORAL
This 10-session peer-delivered intervention is designed to reduce depression and loneliness among OGBMLH by addressing barriers to engagement in LGBTQ+-affirming community services. The intervention involves group sessions facilitated by trained peer interventionists, drawing on two evidence-based components: the cognitive behavioral therapy-based Friendship Enrichment Program (FEP) to build social skills and Peer Mentoring (PM) to model and support engagement in community services. Sessions are structured around skill-building activities designed to a) reduce stigma-related barriers to community participation, b) create and strengthen social connections, and c) increase confident and motivation to engage in community services. Participants will also receive resource navigation as needed.
Control condition — BEHAVIORAL
The control condition will involve a resource guide of content related to local LGBTQ+-affirming community service (e.g., information related to community meal programs, social groups, etc.)

Study Details

Older gay and bisexual men living with HIV (OGBMLH) are more likely to experience depression and loneliness, which can lead to negative health outcomes. This mixed-methods research study will assess the feasibility and acceptability of the Bridge to Belonging (B2B) intervention. B2B is a peer-delivered, manualized program designed to increase engagement in LGBTQ+-affirming elder services and thereby reduce loneliness and depression among OGBMLH. The program utilizes a) cognitive behavioral therapy-based Friendship Enrichment Program (FEP) to build social skills; b) Peer Mentoring (PM) to model and support engagement in community services; and c) connecting participants to affirming elder services such as meal programs, bereavement groups, social activities, etc. Interventions like B2B are essential to the NIH's goal of improving access to behavioral interventions through advances in HIV/AIDS research.

Key Dates

First listed: Aug 13, 2026
Start date: May 6, 2026
Status verified: May 2026
Primary completion: Dec 1, 2026
Completion: Dec 1, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment: 40 participants (estimated)
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Arms

Experimental: B2B Intervention
This 10-session peer-delivered intervention is designed to reduce depression and loneliness among OGBMLH by addressing barriers to engagement in LGBTQ+-affirming community services. The intervention involves group sessions facilitated by trained peer interventionists, drawing on two evidence-based components: the cognitive behavioral therapy-based Friendship Enrichment Program (FEP) to build social skills and Peer Mentoring (PM) to model and support engagement in community services. Sessions are structured around skill-building activities designed to a) reduce stigma-related barriers to community participation, b) create and strengthen social connections, and c) increase confident and motivation to engage in community services. Participants will also receive resource navigation as needed.
Active Comparator: Control
The control condition will involve a resource guide of content related to local LGBTQ+-affirming community service (e.g., information related to community meal programs, social groups, etc.)