ASSESSMENT OF A TRAINING MODULE ON REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH COMMUNICATION FOR SEXUAL AND GENDER MINORITY (SGM) ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS (AYAs) WITH CANCER

Abstract Objective This study tested the efficacy of AFFIRM, a brief affirmative cognitive-behavioural group intervention tailored to reduce psychosocial distress and improve coping among sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults (SGMY). Method SGMY (n = 138; M age = 22.44) were allocated to immediate 8-week AFFIRM intervention delivered at 12 community-based organisations or an 8-week waitlisted control. At baseline, post-intervention or post-waitlist, participants completed self-reported assessments of depression, hope, coping, and stress appraisal. Implementation outcomes of feasibility and acceptability were also assessed. Results Compared to waitlist, SGMY in the intervention condition significantly reduced their depressive symptoms (b = − 5.79, p = .001) as well as increased reports of hope (agency: b = 0.84, p = .001; pathway: b = 0.79, p = .001), and coping by emotional support (b = 0.59, p < .001), instrumental support (b = 0.67, p < .001), positive framing (b = 0.59, p < .001), humour (b = 0.36, p = .014), planning (b = 0.49, p < .001) as well as reflective coping (b = 0.27, p = .009). Intervention participants were also less likely to perceive stress as a threat (b = − 0.43, p = .001), and more likely to perceive stress as challenge (b = 0.67, p < .001) and have the resources to deal with that stress (b = 0.38, p = .016) in comparison to waitlisted control participants. All outcomes had medium to large effect sizes. AFFIRM participants reported low attrition (8.5%) and high levels of engagement and acceptability (e.g. 99% agreed intervention was relevant to their lives). Over 63% of the community organizations that participated in the training hosted AFFIRM at least once during the study. Conclusions Results demonstrate efficacy for the community-based implementation of an affirmative clinical intervention designed for SGMY to address depression and foster coping with universal and minority stressors.

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Comparing social media and in-person recruitment: lessons learned from recruiting substance-using, sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults for a randomized control trial (Preprint)

JMIR Public Health and Surveillance ◽

10.2196/31657 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jayelin N. Parker ◽

Alexis S. Hunter ◽

Jose A. Bauermeister ◽

Erin E. Bonar ◽

Adam W. Carrico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Young Adults ◽

Randomized Control Trial ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Minority Adolescents ◽

Randomized Control ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

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HIV and STI testing among substance-using sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.30944 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jayelin Nicole Parker ◽

Seul Ki Choi ◽

Jose A. Bauermeister ◽

Erin E. Bonar ◽

Adam W. Carrico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Young Adults ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sti Testing ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Hiv And Sti Testing ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Sex With Men

BACKGROUND Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and transgender individuals are more heavily impacted by HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) than their cisgender, heterosexual peers. Additionally, sexual and gender minorities who use substances are often at a further increased risk of HIV and other STIs. Increasing testing for HIV and other STIs allows for this hardly reached population allows for early intervention, prevention, and education. OBJECTIVE We explored HIV and STI testing patterns among 414 sexual and gender minority substance-using adolescents and young adults (AYAs) (aged 15-29). METHODS We fit multinomial logistic regression models to two categorical HIV and STI testing variables (lifetime, past 12-months) based on self-report of testing (never, STIs only, HIV only, or both). RESULTS Only 41% of the sample achieved the CDC recommendation of past-year HIV and STI testing. We observed HIV and STI testing disparities across sociodemographic (e.g., sexual identity, education, and income) and health correlates (e.g., substance use). Specifically, cisgender men who have sex with men were more likely to report testing compared to gender minority participants. CONCLUSIONS These results illustrate the need for HIV prevention interventions that leverage structural factors, psychosocial barriers, and substance-use as key drivers of achieving HIV and STI testing rates to meet CDC’s guidelines. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02945436; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02945436 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-10.2196/resprot.9414

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Daily stressors and diurnal cortisol among sexual and gender minority young adults.

Health Psychology ◽

10.1037/hea0001054 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Wilson S. Figueroa ◽

Peggy M. Zoccola ◽

Andrew W. Manigault ◽

Katrina R. Hamilton ◽

Matt C. Scanlin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Daily Stressors ◽

Diurnal Cortisol ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

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An Avatar-Led Digital Smoking Cessation Program for Sexual and Gender Minority Young Adults: Intervention Development and Results of a Single-Arm Pilot Trial (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.30241 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jaimee L Heffner ◽

Noreen L Watson ◽

Edit Serfozo ◽

Megan M Kelly ◽

Erin D Reilly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Pilot Trial ◽

Intervention Development ◽

Targeted Interventions ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Tobacco Treatment ◽

Acceptance And Commitment ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

Biochemical Testing ◽

And Gender

BACKGROUND Sexual and gender minority young adults have a high prevalence of smoking and unique barriers to accessing tobacco treatment. OBJECTIVE To address these challenges as well as their preferences for sexual and gender minority–targeted interventions and digital programs, we developed and evaluated the acceptability, preliminary efficacy, and impact on theory-based change processes of an acceptance and commitment therapy–based digital program called Empowered, Queer, Quitting, and Living (EQQUAL). METHODS Participants (n=22) of a single-arm trial conducted to evaluate the program were young adults, age 18 to 30 years, who self-identified as sexual and gender minority individuals and smoked at least one cigarette per day. All participants received access to the EQQUAL program. Participants completed web-based surveys at baseline and at a follow-up 2 months after enrollment. We verified self-reported smoking abstinence with biochemical testing; missing data were counted as smoking or using tobacco. RESULTS For young adults who logged in at least once (n=18), the mean number of log-ins was 5.5 (SD 3.6), mean number of sessions completed was 3.1 (SD 2.6), and 39% (7/18) completed all 6 sessions. Overall, 93% of participants (14/15) were satisfied with the EQQUAL program, 100% (15/15) found it easy to use, and 100% (15/15) said it helped them be clearer about how to quit. Abstinence from smoking or using tobacco was confirmed with biochemical testing for 23% of participants (5/22). Both quantitative and qualitative results suggested a positive overall response to the avatar guide, with areas for future improvement largely centered on the avatar’s appearance and movements. CONCLUSIONS Treatment acceptability of EQQUAL was very promising. The rate of abstinence, which was biochemically confirmed, was 3 times higher than that of the only other digital program to date that has targeted sexual and gender minority young adults and 6 to 13 times higher than those of nontargeted digital smoking interventions among sexual and gender minority young adults. Planned improvements for the next iteration of the program include making the avatar’s movements more natural; offering multiple avatar guides with different on characteristics such as race, ethnicity, and gender identity from which to choose; and providing a support forum for users to connect anonymously with peers.

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Trainings needs of allied health professionals caring for sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults with cancer: A qualitative analysis.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.15_suppl.e18532 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e18532-e18532

Author(s):

Ash B. Alpert ◽

Vikas Gampa ◽

Susan Thomas Vadaparampil ◽

Gwendolyn P. Quinn

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Health ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Allied Health ◽

Educational Interventions ◽

Adolescent And Young Adult ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Minority Adolescents ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

e18532 Background: Little is known about the training needs of allied health professionals who provide reproductive health counseling and other support services to sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescent and young adult (AYA) people with cancer. Methods: A 28-item electronic survey with 4 qualitative items was distributed to 601 allied health professionals who had participated in a training focused on reproductive health needs in AYA people with cancer. Open-ended questions invited respondents to describe personal experiences, reservations, and suggestions for improving SGM AYA cancer care. Using an interpretive description methodology, two investigators independently analyzed qualitative survey responses noting thematic saturation. Together, they refined themes, resolving disagreements with consensus. Interrater reliability was 88%. Results: 321 people participated in the survey and 190 answered open-ended questions. Themes included: 1) an ecosystem exists around patients’ interactions with clinicians and institutions; 2) institutional and individual assumptions result in stigmatization of SGM AYA people with cancer; 3) accommodating patients and providing clinicians with relevant education and experiences are initial steps to decrease stigma; and 4) improving the care for SGM AYA people with cancer may require transformative approaches that incorporate intersectional frameworks and challenge current systems. Conclusions: Improving the quality of care for SGM AYA people with cancer will require systemic and institutional change as well as educational interventions.

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