Examining the Impact of Question Construction on Reporting of Sexual Identity: Survey Experiment among Young Adults (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J Young ◽  
Michelle Bover Manderski ◽  
Ollie Ganz ◽  
Cristine D Delnevo ◽  
Mary Hrywna
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Sexual Minorities ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Experiment ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Identities ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Compared to heterosexuals, sexual minorities in the United States experience a higher incidence of negative physical and mental health outcomes. However, a variety of measurement challenges limit researchers’ ability to conduct meaningful survey research to understand these disparities. Many national health surveys only offer respondents three substantive options for reporting their sexual identities (straight/heterosexual, gay or lesbian, and bisexual) despite the prevalence of additional identities, which could lead to measurement error via misreporting and item non-response. OBJECTIVE This study compared the traditional three-option approach to measuring sexual identity with an expanded approach that offered respondents five additional options. METHODS An online survey experiment conducted among New Jersey residents between March and June 2021 randomly assigned 1,258 young adults (ages 18-21) to answer either the three-response measure of sexual identity or the expanded item. Response distributions for each measure were compared as were the odds of item non-response. RESULTS The expanded version of the question appeared to result in more accurate reporting among some subgroups and induced less item non-response. Twelve percent of participants answering the expanded version of the question selected a response that was not available in the shorter version. Females answering the expanded item were less likely to identify as gay or lesbian (2% vs.7%). Females and Non-Hispanic whites were slightly more likely to skip the shorter item (1% vs. 0%). Five percent of respondents answering the longer item were unsure of their sexual identity (a similar option was not available in the shorter version). Compared to respondents answering the longer version of the question, those answering the shorter version had substantially greater odds of skipping the question altogether (Odds Ratio 9.57, 95% CI 1.21-75.73, P=.03). CONCLUSIONS Results favor the use of a longer, more detailed approach to measuring sexual identity in epidemiological research. Such a measure will likely allow researchers to produce more accurate estimates of health behaviors and outcomes among sexual minorities.

scholarly journals Examining the Impact of Question Construction on Reporting of Sexual Identity: Survey Experiment among Young Adults (Preprint)

10.2196/32294 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J Young ◽  
Michelle Bover Manderski ◽  
Ollie Ganz ◽  
Cristine D Delnevo ◽  
Mary Hrywna
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Survey Experiment ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Lifetime Asthma Prevalence and Correlates Among US Youths by Sexual Identity and Race/Ethnicity, 2009–2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (7) ◽  
pp. 1076-1083 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caleb W. Curry ◽  
Dylan Felt ◽  
Lauren B. Beach ◽  
Megan M. Ruprecht ◽  
Xinzi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Identity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Asthma Prevalence ◽  
Vulnerable Youth ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
And Bisexual ◽  
Traditional Risk Factors ◽  
Heterosexual Sex ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. To comprehensively assess asthma disparities and identify correlates in youths at the intersections of sex, sexual identity, and race/ethnicity in the United States. Methods. We obtained a diverse sample of youths (n = 307 073) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We pooled data across 107 jurisdiction-years (2009–2017). We calculated lifetime asthma prevalence by sexual identity, race/ethnicity, and their intersections—stratified by sex. We developed multivariable weighted logistic regression models to examine the impact of selected correlates on lifetime asthma prevalence. Results. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths have significant disparities in asthma prevalence compared with heterosexual peers. Moreover, across sex, higher prevalence of lifetime asthma was seen for most sexual identity and race/ethnicity subpopulations (27 of 30) when compared with White heterosexual sex-matched participants. Selected traditional risk factors (overweight, obese, and smoking) and bullying tended to attenuate odds among groups, especially those with a minority sexual identity. Conclusions. Asthma inequities at the intersection of sexual identity and race/ethnicity are substantive. Future studies should investigate the mechanisms contributing to these disparities to promote health equity among vulnerable youth populations.

scholarly journals Media Exposure and Substance Use Increase during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (12) ◽  
pp. 6318
Author(s):  
Ofer Amram ◽  
Porismita Borah ◽  
Deepika Kubsad ◽  
Sterling M. McPherson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Exposure ◽  
The United States ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cable News ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Impact

Background: Lockdown measures because of COVID-19 are likely to result in deteriorating physical and mental health. In this study, our aim was to assess the impact of media exposure on increases in substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A nationally representative online survey of 1264 adults was collected during the pandemic in the United States. Logistic regression was used to explore the association between an increase in substance use since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and exposure to cable news or social media together with COVID-19 knowledge, while controlling for covariates. Results: In the multivariable-adjusted models, participants with the highest exposure to social media (at least daily) and low knowledge of COVID-19 were 9.9 times more likely to experience an increase in substance use since the pandemic began (OR = 9.90, 95% CI = 4.27–23.06). Participants with the highest exposure to cable news and low knowledge of COVID-19 were over 11 times more likely to experience an increase in substance use (OR = 11.64, 95% CI = 4.01–24.45). Conclusion: Based on our findings, we recommend that media organizations should aim to reduce uncertainty and also provide positive coverage to counter the negative information associated with pandemics.

scholarly journals Changes in Consumers’ Food Practices during the COVID-19 Lockdown, Implications for Diet Quality and the Food System: A Cross-Continental Comparison

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 20
Author(s):  
Blain Murphy ◽  
Tony Benson ◽  
Amanda McCloat ◽  
Elaine Mooney ◽  
Chris Elliott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Quality ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Food System ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Saturated Fat ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Practices ◽  
The Impact

COVID-19 has led to dramatic societal changes. Differing movement restrictions across countries have affected changes in consumers’ food practices, with a potentially detrimental impact on their health and food systems. To investigate this, this research explored changes in consumers’ food practices during the initial COVID-19 phase and assessed the impact of location on these changes. A sample of 2360 adults from three continents (Island of Ireland (IOI), Great Britain (GB), United States (USA), and New Zealand (NZ)) were recruited for a cross-sectional online survey (May–June 2020). Participants completed questions in relation to their cooking and food practices, diet quality, and COVID-19 food-related practices. Significant changes in consumers’ food practices during the pandemic were seen within and between regions, with fewer cooking practices changes found in the USA. Food practices, which may put added pressure on the food system, such as bulk buying, were seen across all regions. To prevent this, organisational food practices, including planning ahead, should be emphasized. Additionally, while positive cooking-related practices and increases in fruit and vegetable intake were found, an increase in saturated fat intake was also seen. With the additional pressure on individuals’ physical and mental health, the essentiality of maintaining a balanced diet should be promoted.

scholarly journals The Influence of Human–Animal Interactions on Mental and Physical Health during the First COVID-19 Lockdown Phase in the U.K.: A Qualitative Exploration

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Shoesmith ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Dimitra Kale ◽  
Daniel S. Mills ◽  
Catherine Reeve ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Human Animal Interaction ◽  
Animal Interaction ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents an opportunity to explore the role of animals as sources of emotional and physical support during a period when most of the population is experiencing social and environmental challenges. We investigated how companion animal owners perceived the influence of human–animal interaction on their physical and mental health during the first COVID-19 lockdown phase in the U.K., and what concerns they had regarding their animals at this time. We also explored the impact of participants’ interaction with non-companion animals during this phase. A cross-sectional online survey of U.K. residents aged over 18 was conducted between April and June 2020. The final item of the survey invited open-ended free-text responses, allowing participants to describe any experiences and/or perceptions of their human–animal relationships during the COVID-19 lockdown phase. A qualitative thematic analysis of responses was undertaken. Four main themes related to the following aspects of human–animal interactions during the COVID-19 lockdown phase were identified: the positive impact of animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., amelioration of wellbeing and mental health), concerns relating to animal ownership during the COVID-19 lockdown (e.g., concerns over animals carrying the COVID-19 virus), grief and loss of an animal during the COVID-19 lockdown and the impact of engaging with non-companion animals during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings complement and extend previous insights into the impact of human–animal interaction with both companion and non-companion animals. They also highlight the challenges of caring for an animal during the lockdown phase and indicate the need to consider the development of further targeted support strategies, such as “day care” for the companion animals of key workers in this context.

Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Perspectives of Mental Health Practices With Clients in Stroke Rehabilitation

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K. Simpson ◽  
Narissa M. Ramirez ◽  
Brittany Branstetter ◽  
Aileen Reed ◽  
Evan Lines
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Needs ◽  
Post Stroke ◽  
Mental Health Practices

Following a stroke, depression and anxiety may negatively affect recovery and decrease quality of life. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are distinctly qualified to address both the physical and psychosocial sequelae of a stroke, including clients’ mental and emotional health. This study explored the ways in which OT practitioners address the mental health needs of clients post stroke. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used to collect both survey and focus group data. In all, 754 OT practitioners across the United States completed an online survey, and 10 practitioners participated in focus groups. Practitioners considered their clients’ mental health needs to be a priority (68.17%); however, only 56.64% were satisfied with the care they provided related to mental and emotional health. They identified barriers that included limited time, increased productivity standards, expectations related to physical recovery, and poor educational preparation. Practitioners are motivated to improve their provision of mental health services to clients post stroke. To address the conflict between practice realities and professional values, education programs should better integrate curricular components that focus on physical and mental health.

scholarly journals “Here in the Bible Belt, It’s Predominantly Negative”: Sexual Identity Stigma in the American South, 50 Years After Stonewall

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph J. Frey ◽  
William J. Hall ◽  
Jeremy T. Goldbach ◽  
Paul Lanier
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Sexual Identity ◽  
Minority Stress ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Disparities ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
United States South ◽  
The Impact

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and pansexual (LGB+) individuals have disproportionate rates of mental illness. Minority stress and sexual identity stigma are posited as the primary social determinants of LGB+ mental health disparities. Discussions in the literature have questioned the impact of sexual identity stigma in a world increasingly accepting of sexual minorities. Additionally, the LGB+ population in the United States South is often overlooked in American research. This article details a qualitative study exploring experiences related to sexual identity stigma among adults who identify as LGB+ in the United States South. Semi-structured interviews with 16 individuals were analyzed using content analysis. Six thematic categories of stigma emerged from participants’ experiences: (a) navigating an LGB+ identity, (b) social acceptability of an LGB+ identity, (c) expectation of LGB+ stigma, (d) interpersonal discrimination and harassment, (e) structural stigma, and (f) relationship with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. Findings suggest that sexual identity stigma remains a common experience among these Southern United States participants. Further, thematic categories and subcategories primarily aligned with extant theory with one exception: Intracommunity stigma, a form of stigma emanating from the LGBTQ community, emerged as a stigma type not currently accounted for in theoretical foundations underpinning mental health disparities in this population.

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