scholarly journals Efficacy of affirmative cognitive behavioural group therapy for sexual and gender minority adolescents and young adults in community settings in Ontario, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelley L. Craig ◽  
Andrew D. Eaton ◽  
Vivian W. Y. Leung ◽  
Gio Iacono ◽  
Nelson Pang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Stress Appraisal ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Adolescents ◽  
Cognitive Behavioural ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

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.

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

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

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

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

scholarly journals Associations of Relationship Experiences, Dating Violence, Sexual Harassment, and Assault With Alcohol Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110014
Author(s):  
W. J. Kiekens ◽  
L. Baams ◽  
J. N. Fish ◽  
R. J. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Assault ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Sexual Harassment ◽  
Dating Violence ◽  
Heavy Episodic Drinking ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Adolescents ◽  
Relationship Experiences ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents report higher rates of dating violence victimization compared with their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Research on dating violence often neglects diversity in sexual and gender identities and is limited to experiences in relationships. Further, given that dating violence and alcohol use are comorbid, research on experiences of dating violence could provide insights into alcohol use disparities among SGM adolescents. We aimed to map patterns of relationship experiences, sexual and physical dating violence, and sexual and physical assault and explored differences in these experiences among SGM adolescents. Further, we examined how these patterns explained alcohol use. We used a U.S. non-probability national web-based survey administered to 13–17-year-old SGM adolescents ( N = 12,534). Using latent class analyses, four patterns were identified: low relationship experience, dating violence and harassment and assault (72.0%), intermediate dating experiences, sexual harassment, and assault and low levels of dating violence (13.1%), high dating experiences, dating violence, and sexual assault (8.6%), and high dating experiences, dating violence, and sexual harassment and assault (6.3%). Compared to lesbian and gay adolescents, bisexual adolescents reported more experiences with dating, dating violence, and sexual assault, whereas heterosexual adolescents reported fewer experiences with dating, dating violence, and sexual harassment and assault. Compared to cisgender boys, cisgender girls, transgender boys, and non-binary/assigned male at birth adolescents were more likely to experience dating violence inside and outside of relationship contexts. Experiences of dating, dating violence, and sexual harassment and assault were associated with both drinking frequency and heavy episodic drinking. Together, the findings emphasize the relevance of relationship experiences when studying dating violence and how dating violence and sexual harassment and assault might explain disparities in alcohol use.

Illicit Drug Use and Social Victimization among Thai Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (13) ◽  
pp. 2198-2206
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Guadamuz ◽  
Doug H. Cheung ◽  
Pimpawun Boonmongkon ◽  
Timo T. Ojanen ◽  
Thasaporn Damri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Illicit Drug ◽  
Illicit Drug Use ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Adolescents ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
Social Victimization ◽  
And Gender

scholarly journals “I Won’t Out Myself Just to Do a Survey”: Sexual and Gender Minority Adolescents’ Perspectives on the Risks and Benefits of Sex Research

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 1393-1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Macapagal ◽  
Ryan Coventry ◽  
Miriam R. Arbeit ◽  
Celia B. Fisher ◽  
Brian Mustanski
Keyword(s):  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sex Research ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Minority Adolescents ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

scholarly journals 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)

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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