History of Rectal Product Use and Country of Residence Influence Preference for Rectal Microbicide Dosage Forms Among Young Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Multi-country Trial Comparing Placebo Douche, Suppository, and Insert Products.

The DESIRE Study (MTN-035) explored product preference among three placebo rectal microbicide (RM) formulations, a rectal douche (RD), a suppository, and an insert, among 210 sexually active transgender people and men who have sex with men in five counties: the United States, Peru, Thailand, South Africa, and Malawi. Participants used each product prior to receptive anal sex (RAS) for 1 month, following a randomly assigned sequence, then selected their preferred product via computer assisted self-interview. In-depth interviews examined reasons for preference. We compared product preference and prior product use by country to explore whether geographic location and experience with the similar products impacted preference. A majority in the United States (56%) and Peru (58%) and nearly half in South Africa (48%) preferred the douche. Most in Malawi (59%) preferred the suppository, while half in Thailand (50%) and nearly half in South Africa (47%) preferred the insert. Participants who preferred the douche described it as quick and easy, already routinized, and serving a dual purpose of cleansing and protecting. Those who preferred the insert found it small, portable, discreet, with quick dissolution. Those who preferred the suppository found the size and shape acceptable and liked the added lubrication it provided. Experience with product use varied by country. Participants with RD experience were significantly more likely to prefer the douche (p = 0.03). Diversifying availability of multiple RM dosage forms can increase uptake and improve HIV prevention efforts globally.

RESUMEN: El estudio DESIRE (MTN-035) exploró la preferencia de producto entre tres formulaciones de microbicida rectal (MR) de placebo, una ducha rectal, un supositorio y un inserto, entre 210 personas transgénero y hombres que tienen sexo con hombres en cinco países: los Estados Unidos, Perú., Tailandia, Sudáfrica y Malawi. Los participantes utilizaron cada producto antes del sexo anal receptive (SAR) durante un mes, siguiendo una secuencia asignada al azar, luego seleccionaron su producto preferido mediante una autoentrevista asistida por computadora. Las entrevistas en profundidad examinaron los motivos de preferencia. Comparamos la preferencia de producto y el uso previo del producto por país para explorar si la ubicación geográfica y la experiencia con la forma farmacéutica impactaron la preferencia. Una mayoría en los Estados Unidos (56%) y Perú (58%) y casi la mitad en Sudáfrica (48%) prefirieron la ducha rectal. La mayoría en Malawi (59%) prefirió el supositorio, mientras que la mitad en Tailandia (50%) y casi la mitad en Sudáfrica (47%) prefirió el inserto. Los participantes que prefirieron la ducha rectal la describieron como rápida y fácil, ya parte de su rutina y que tenía el doble propósito de limpiar y proteger. Los que prefirieron el inserto lo consideraron pequeño, portátil, discreto y de rápida disolución. Los que prefirieron el supositorio encontraron que tenía un tamaño y forma aceptables y proveía lubricación adicional. La experiencia con el uso del producto varió según el país. Los participantes con experiencia con duchas rectales tenían significativamente más probabilidades de preferir la ducha rectal (p = 0,03). Diversificar la disponibilidad de múltiples formas farmacéuticas de MR puede aumentar la aceptación y mejorar los esfuerzos de prevención del VIH a nivel mundial.

Evaluation of sexual violence among lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between sexual orientation and sexual violence in Hispanic women living in Puerto Rico. METHODS: Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional study. An anonymous web-based questionnaire was distributed in Puerto Rico between February and April 2016. Variables included history of sexual violence, sexual orientation, and age of first sexual experiences. Data were analyzed using χ2 testing and a P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Sociodemographic characteristics were similar between groups except for age in the 476 participants. The most common age of first sexual experiences was between 7 and 12 years, 13-18 years for penile vaginal and oral sex, and 22-29 years for penile anal sex in the overall population of the study. These did not differ except that more bisexual women 40 (71.4%) had their first oral sex experience at 13-18 years compared with 164 (50.7%) heterosexual and 35 (55.2%) lesbian women (P = 0.045). Of the 19.2% of participants who reported sexual violence, there were 50 (18.4%) heterosexual, 8 (12.2%) lesbian, and 17 (34.7%) bisexual women. Bisexual women were more likely to disclose sexual violence (P = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Most women stated having a sexual experience at a young age. Significant proportions reported sexual violence with bisexual women being the most likely. Screening for sexual violence must be routinely performed by health professionals.

HIV Disclosure Practices to Family Among Mexican and Puerto Rican Sexual Minority Men with HIV in the Continental USA: Intersections of Sexual Orientation and HIV Stigma.

Disclosing a seropositive HIV status still is a complex process of assessing the risks, benefits, and potential personal and interpersonal outcomes associated with disclosure, such as stigma, rejection, or emotional support. We examined HIV disclosure practices to family and intersectional stigma related to HIV and sexual orientation among Latino sexual minority men (LSMM) of Mexican and Puerto Rican origin with HIV in the continental USA. Guided by Framework Analysis, we present data from 54 interviews with 33 LSMM participants in HIV care engagement interventions, and 21 project staff implementing the interventions. LSMM disclosed their HIV status to family seeking support. They applied stigma management techniques to manage the information communicated to family about their HIV status, including selective disclosure to some family members, conveying strategic information about the significance of having HIV, non-disclosure, or partial disclosure, silence and deceptions. LSMM HIV disclosure practices to family encompassed appraisals of intersectional stigma related to their sexual orientation and HIV, assessing the potential outcomes of disclosure, and the preservation of family ties.

Social-ecological factors associated with having a regular healthcare provider among lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Jamaica.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people experience a multitude of barriers to healthcare access, particularly in highly stigmatising contexts, such as Jamaica. Access to a regular healthcare source can contribute to uptake of health knowledge and services. Yet social-ecological factors associated with access to a regular healthcare provider among LGBT persons in Jamaica are underexplored. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with LGBT persons in Jamaica to examine socio-demographic and social-ecological factors associated with having a regular healthcare provider. Nearly half (43.6%) of 911 participants reported having a regular healthcare provider. In multivariate analyses, socio-demographic factors (higher age; identifying as a cisgender sexual minority man or woman compared to a transgender woman) were associated with higher odds of having a regular healthcare provider. Socio-demographic (living in Ocho Rios or Montego Bay compared to Kingston), stigma/discrimination (a bad past healthcare experience), and structural factors (insufficient money for housing; reporting medication costs as a barrier; no health insurance) were associated with decreased odds of having a regular healthcare provider. Findings support a multi-level approach to understanding and addressing barriers to having a regular healthcare provider among LGBT people in Jamaica.

My body. My politics. An exploration of body image and health in Barbadian sexual minority women.

There is a dearth of research on how pervasive Western stereotypes of the ideal body affect non-heterosexual women, and this body of research shrinks even further when considering sexual minority women in the Caribbean. This study aimed to uncover how negotiations between identity, desire, and body politics are being navigated and experienced by sexual minority women in Barbados, along with examining concerns about body image, the impact of societal expectations, and the consequences of these expectations on physical and mental health. Using a qualitative methodology that employed a semi-structured guide, thirteen women were interviewed over the course of a year. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes that centered around the interconnectivity of desire and presentation as it related to body image; distancing from Western influences and grappling with local body ideals; and the ways in which layered events and identities have resulted in complicated relationships with food. A selection of identified community needs is also offered in conclusion.

Psychometric evaluation of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among cisgender gay men and cisgender lesbian women.

Despite increasing empirical interest in muscle dysmorphia (MD), a dearth of research has assessed this construct in sexual minority populations. In particular, the psychometric properties of one of the most widely used measures of MD symptoms-the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI)-have not been evaluated in sexual minority populations despite emerging evidence suggesting differential risk for MD symptoms across sexual orientation groups. In this study, we assessed the psychometric properties of the MDDI in a sample of 715 cisgender gay men and 404 cisgender lesbian women ages 18-50 years who participated in a large-scale national longitudinal cohort study of sexual and gender minority adults. The factor structure of the MDDI was examined in each sample using a two-step, split-sample exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic approach. Exploratory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure in both samples, which were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, results supported the internal consistency reliability and convergent validity of the MDDI subscales in both samples. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that the MDDI is an appropriate measure of MD symptoms among cisgender gay men and cisgender lesbian women.

Suicide thought and behaviors, non-suicidal self-injury, and perceived life stress among sexual minority Mexican college students.

BACKGROUND: Sexual minority college students are at a higher risk for suicidal thoughts and self-injurious behaviors compared to heterosexual students. Minority stress theory proposes sexual minority individuals experience higher stress due to stigma. Using a sample of Mexican college students, this study tested perceived life stress as a mediator of suicide and self-injury outcomes across various sexual orientation groups. METHODS: The sample of college students (N=7882) was recruited from nine Mexican universities as part of the WHO World Mental Health International College Student (WMH-ICS) initiative. Participants completed an online survey including demographic questions, measure of perceived life stress, suicide outcomes, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) in the past 12 months. RESULTS: Logistic regression analyses revealed identifying as a sexual minority significantly predicted a higher likelihood of suicide ideation (ORs 2.05-3.00), suicide attempts (ORs 2.48-8.73), and NSSI (ORs 2.92-4.18) compared to heterosexual students reporting no same-gender attraction. Significant indirect effects from mediation path analyses showed perceived life stress mediated the relationship between a sexual minority identity and suicide ideation (range of proportion mediated 10.48-31.48%), attempts (10.48-31.48%), and NSSI (7.69-20.09%) across each group except among asexual students. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of the survey design precludes drawing causal inferences. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study contribute to minority stress theory by elucidating the role of perceived life stress as a mediator of suicide ideation and attempts and NSSI among sexual minority college students. Clinical interventions may benefit in focusing on experiences of stress across various life areas when supporting sexual minority college students.

Religious Coping and Depressive Symptoms Among Black Americans Living with HIV: An Intersectional Approach.

This exploratory quantitative study examined the association between religious coping and depressive symptoms among a sample of 216 Black Americans living with HIV (BALWH) in the Southeastern United States. Descriptive analyses and multiple linear regression were used to determine statistically significant associations between religious coping styles and depressive symptoms, and to investigate the potential of sexual orientation and gender to moderate the associations between religious coping styles and depressive symptoms. Negative religious coping, but not positive religious coping, significantly predicted depressive symptoms. Sexual orientation, but not gender, significantly moderated the association between positive religious coping and depressive symptoms so that the relationship was only significant for heterosexual BALWH. Implications of these findings for future research and clinical work with BALWH are discussed.

A National, Qualitative Study of Sexual Decision Making by Teenage Girls who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or who have Another Nonheterosexual Identity.

OBJECTIVE: To address the significant dearth of literature that examines how girls who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or who have another nonheterosexual identity (LGB+) decide when and with whom to have sex; and to explore why inexperienced LGB+ girls might have sex with girls or boys. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted 8 online, asynchronous, bulletin board-style focus groups with 160 adolescent girls 14-18 years of age. The transcripts were analyzed using a thematic analysis of each girls' responses to the questions. Analyses were focused on increasing our understanding of sexual health decision making among LGB+ teenage girls (eg, "What was the reason you had sex for the first time?"). Participants' responses reflected their day-to-day experiences and roles of cisgender LGB+ girls inside a dominant heteronormative social structure. RESULTS: Some LGB+ girls talked about the perception that LGB+ girls were presumed or expected to be hypersexual, and that they did not feel they could be accepted as LGB+ without being sexually active. Developmental aspects of identity were also salient: Girls considered or engaged in sexual encounters as a way of figuring out to whom they were attracted as well as confirming or disconfirming the identity labels they used for themselves. Same-sex encounters could be offered as "proof" that one really was LGB+. Similarly, unsatisfying experiences with guys could serve as evidence that they were not attracted to guys. CONCLUSION: Sexual decision making among LGB+ girls is often driven by aspects of their sexual minority identity.

Minority Stress, Parenting Styles, and Mental Health in Brazilian Homosexual Men.

Homosexual men are constantly exposed to prejudice and violence in Brazil. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between minority stress, parenting styles, and indicators of mental health problems in a sample of homosexual men. METHOD: quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational, and retrospective design. Participants were 101 Brazilian men who selfidentified as homosexuals, aged between 18 and 55 years. RESULTS: concealing sexual identity was a predictor of depression and stress. Parental responsiveness was associated with a lower incidence of enacted stigma and depression. CONCLUSIONS: the mental health of homosexual men can be negatively affected by the need to conceal their sexual orientation. Parental responsiveness is a protective factor in terms of experiencing enacted stigma and depression. The results found in the study may be useful for counselors and social workers who are working with LGBT people and their families.

A Cross-sectional Study Examining the (In)congruency of Sexual Identity, Sexual Behavior, and Romantic Attraction among Adolescents in the US.

OBJECTIVE: To examine how sexual identity, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior co-relate for cisgender adolescents. STUDY DESIGN: The Teen Health and Technology survey was a cross-sectional, self-report online survey. More than 5000 youth between 13 and 18 years of age were randomly recruited through Harris Panel OnLine's panel as well as outreach by GLSEN to over-recruit lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority youth. Data were collected between 2010 and 2011. Analyses were conducted in 2018 and restricted to cisgender youth. RESULTS: Overall, romantic attraction and sexual behavior most closely mapped each other. The greatest discordance was noted between sexual identity and romantic attraction. For example, 59% of girls and 16% of boys who identified with a nonheterosexual identity reported that at least 1 of their 2 most recent sexual partners was a different gender. Nine percent of heterosexually-identified girls and 3% of heterosexually-identified boys reported romantic attraction to the same sex, and 6% and 7% of heterosexually-identified girls and boys, respectively, reported that at least 1 of their 2 most recent sexual partners was the same gender. CONCLUSIONS: Treating romantic attraction, sexual identity, and sexual behavior as synonymous assumes a unidimensionality that is unsupported by the data. Pediatricians and others working with youth, including researchers, should be mindful not to assume identity on the basis of behavior. Researchers should be clear and purposeful about how they are operationalizing "sexual minority" and how it may affect the composition of their study population. Healthy sexuality and risk reduction programs need to acknowledge that adolescents with a particular sexual identity may have romantic attractions, and even sexual encounters, with people who fall outside of that identity.

Preventing Transphobic Bullying and Promoting Inclusive Educational Environments: Literature Review and Implementing Recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Transgender individuals are often targets of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination and violence at school, which causes significant personal suffering and serious consequences for their education process. Research suggests that structural interventions and changes are needed to reduce these phenomena and ensure that schools function as protective and secure learning environments for sexual minorities. AIM: This study presents a review of international interventions/programs focused on reducing bullying and promoting inclusive educational environments for transgender youths. METHODS: An extensive literature search in English and Spanish was undertaken using the electronic database of MEDLINE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, SciELO and LILACS (1990-2018). RESULTS: Several international programs, guidelines and projects aimed at preventing bullying against sexual minorities (including the transgender population) in school environments were described. Recommendations and barriers to consider in the development and implementation of bullying prevention interventions in a range of school settings are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggest important positive benefits associated with attending schools that have anti-bullying or inclusive policies for gender minorities, such as the improvement of school wellbeing, more positive school climate, decreasing truancy, lower levels of victimization, decreased school harassment and increased feelings of safety. However, more research is needed to follow up on the various programs and interventions described in this study, to determine whether they have been implemented and what their actual long-term impact has been. The normalization of transphobia and tolerance for sexual minorities requires the attention of public policies in education strategies designed to deconstruct gender stereotypes and eradicate transphobia among adolescents.

Health Indicators of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Other Sexual Minority (LGB+) Youth Living in Rural Communities.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the intersectionality of being lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority youth (LGB+) and living in a rural community may portend worse concurrent health indicators than identifying as heterosexual and/or living in a nonrural community. STUDY DESIGN: Data were collected online between 2010 and 2011 from 5100 13- to-18-year-old youth across the US. Youth were randomly recruited from within the Harris Panel Online and through targeted outreach efforts to LGBT+ youth by a youth-focused nonprofit. The survey questionnaire was self-administered and included measures used in the present study and other measures related to the goal of the Teen Health and Technology study. RESULTS: Living in a rural community was not associated with additional challenges beyond those posed by LGB+ status. Instead, most noted differences in indicators of psychosocial challenge were between LGB+ and heterosexual youth, regardless of rural vs nonrural community living status. For example, sexual minority youth, both male and female, were more likely to have used substances, have depressive symptomatology, have low self-esteem, and report being bullied in the past year compared with both rural and nonrural heterosexual youth. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that LGB+ youth living in rural areas are equally likely to face psychosocial challenges as LGB+ youth living in nonrural areas. Pediatricians and other healthcare providers who work with youth should be mindful of creating LGB+ inclusive environments that can promote self-disclosure by youth who may benefit from additional health services or clinical support for psychosocial challenges.

Persistent and multisite homophobic harassment during childhood and adolescence and its association with school difficulties in gay and bisexual men in Taiwan

Abstract Background: Homophobic harassment can compromise mental health of sexual minority youths. Objectives: This study examined the rates of persistent and multisite homophobic harassment and their associations with school difficulties during childhood and adolescence among gay and bisexual men in Taiwan. Methods: Participants were recruited through advertisements on the Facebook, Bulletin Board Systems, and the home pages of health promotion and counseling centers for the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. The experiences of traditional and cyber harassment based on gender role nonconformity and sexual orientation of 500 gay or bisexual men were examined. The associations of multisite and persistent harassment victimization with school difficulties were evaluated. Results: A total of 239 (47.8%) and 131 (26.2%) participants experienced persistent and multisite harassment victimization, respectively. Harassment victimization was significantly associated with low satisfaction with academic performance in any stage of study. Moreover, the participants who were harassed in senior high schools were more likely to miss classes or be truant than those who were not harassed. The victims of multisite harassment at senior high schools were more likely to miss classes or be truant than those of school-only harassment. Discussion: Prevention and intervention programs are warranted to reduce homophobic harassment in sexual minority youths.

Medical management of transgender children and adolescents. / Manejo médico de personas transgénero en la niñez y la adolescencia

Transgender or gender nonconforming (GN) persons identify themselves with a gender which is different from that correspondent to their birth sex. The demand for health services by families with transgender children or adolescents tends to increase. The prevalence of GN in children is unknown; however, it has been estimated to be > 1% in adolescents. Transgender persons are at increased risk of depression, suicide, illicit drug abuse, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and non-accidental injury. The most accepted model for the care of transgender persons assumes that these adverse outcomes are the consequence of social margination rather than the GI condition itself. Social and physical gender transition seem to be effective in increasing the well-being of people with GI and reducing associated health risks. Mental health professionals can support the child in the process of social transition. The pediatric endocrinologist may offer puberty blockade and cross-sex induction of puberty. Surgical sex reassignment interventions are reserved for adults. Gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation are three relatively independent categories that can take any value, which is not necessarily binary (male/female) or fixed. Health professionals should be familiar with these concepts in order to offer the best resources available to optimize the well-being of each transgender child or adolescent with an individualized approach.

Las personas transgénero o con inconformidad de género (IG) se identifican a sí mismas con un género distinto al que les correspondería por su sexo al nacimiento. La demanda de servicios de salud de familias con niños, niñas o adolescentes transgénero va en aumento. La prevalencia de IG en niños no se conoce, pero se ha estimado que es mayor del 1% en adolescentes. Existe un elevado riesgo de depresión, suicidio, abuso de drogas ilícitas, infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y lesiones no accidentales en estos sujetos. El modelo más aceptado para la atención de personas con IG asume que estos desenlaces adversos son producto de la marginación social y no de la condición de IG en sí. La transición de género de tipo social, así como la física, parecen ser efectivas para aumentar el bienestar de las personas con IG y reducir los riesgos en salud. Durante el proceso de transición social, los profesionales de la salud mental pueden apoyar al menor. Los endocrinólogos pediatras pueden ofrecer el bloqueo de la pubertad y la inducción contrasexual de la misma. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas de reasignación de sexo se reservan para mayores de edad. La identidad de género, la expresión de género y la orientación sexual son tres categorías relativamente independientes que pueden tomar cualquier valor no necesariamente binario (masculino/femenino) ni fijo. Los profesionales de la salud deben estar familiarizados con estos conceptos para ofrecer los mejores recursos disponibles y optimizar el bienestar de cada niño, niña o adolescente transgénero de forma individualizada.

Manejo médico de personas transgénero en la niñez y la adolescencia / Medical management of transgender children and adolescents

Resumen Las personas transgénero o con inconformidad de género (IG) se identifican a sí mismas con un género distinto al que les correspondería por su sexo al nacimiento. La demanda de servicios de salud de familias con niños, niñas o adolescentes transgénero va en aumento. La prevalencia de IG en niños no se conoce, pero se ha estimado que es mayor del 1% en adolescentes. Existe un elevado riesgo de depresión, suicidio, abuso de drogas ilícitas, infección por virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y lesiones no accidentales en estos sujetos. El modelo más aceptado para la atención de personas con IG asume que estos desenlaces adversos son producto de la marginación social y no de la condición de IG en sí. La transición de género de tipo social, así como la física, parecen ser efectivas para aumentar el bienestar de las personas con IG y reducir los riesgos en salud. Durante el proceso de transición social, los profesionales de la salud mental pueden apoyar al menor. Los endocrinólogos pediatras pueden ofrecer el bloqueo de la pubertad y la inducción contrasexual de la misma. Las intervenciones quirúrgicas de reasignación de sexo se reservan para mayores de edad. La identidad de género, la expresión de género y la orientación sexual son tres categorías relativamente independientes que pueden tomar cualquier valor no necesariamente binario (masculino/femenino) ni fijo. Los profesionales de la salud deben estar familiarizados con estos conceptos para ofrecer los mejores recursos disponibles y optimizar el bienestar de cada niño, niña o adolescente transgénero de forma individualizada.

Abstract Transgender or gender nonconforming (GN) persons identify themselves with a gender which is different from that correspondent to their birth sex. The demand for health services by families with transgender children or adolescents tends to increase. The prevalence of GN in children is unknown; however, it has been estimated to be > 1% in adolescents. Transgender persons are at increased risk of depression, suicide, illicit drug abuse, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and non-accidental injury. The most accepted model for the care of transgender persons assumes that these adverse outcomes are the consequence of social margination rather than the GI condition itself. Social and physical gender transition seem to be effective in increasing the well-being of people with GI and reducing associated health risks. Mental health professionals can support the child in the process of social transition. The pediatric endocrinologist may offer puberty blockade and cross-sex induction of puberty. Surgical sex reassignment interventions are reserved for adults. Gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation are three relatively independent categories that can take any value, which is not necessarily binary (male/female) or fixed. Health professionals should be familiar with these concepts in order to offer the best resources available to optimize the well-being of each transgender child or adolescent with an individualized approach.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in Brazilian sexual minority ecstasy and LSD users / Sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em brasileiros não heterossexuais usuários de ecstasy e LSD

Abstract Background This study examined drug use patterns and psychiatric symptoms of anxiety and depression among young Brazilian sexual minority ecstasy and LSD users and compared findings with those reported for their heterosexual peers. Method This cross-sectional study employed targeted sampling and ethnographic mapping approaches via face-to-face interviews conducted at bars and electronic music festivals using an adapted, semi-structured version of the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs questionnaire. The sample comprised 240 male and female young adults who had used ecstasy and/or LSD in the 90 days prior to the interview and who were not on treatment for alcohol and drug abuse. Results Of the 240 subjects enrolled (mean age: 22.9±4.5 years), 28.7% were gay or bisexuals. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the prevalence of depression symptoms in the past 12 months in the sexual minority group was 37% higher than among heterosexuals (prevalence ratio [PR]=1.79; 95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.03-3.11; p=0.037). Conclusion Strategies should be developed to assess and address individual needs and treatment approaches should be tailored to address depressive symptoms in young, sexual minority club drug users.

Resumo Introdução Este estudo examinou os padrões de uso de drogas e os sintomas psiquiátricos de ansiedade e depressão entre brasileiros não heterossexuais usuários de ecstasy e/ou LSD e comparou os achados com aqueles relatados por seus pares heterossexuais. Método Este estudo transversal empregou amostragens direcionadas e abordagens de mapeamento etnográfico através de entrevistas presenciais realizadas em bares e festivais de música eletrônica usando uma versão adaptada e semiestruturada do questionário de Avaliação Global de Necessidades Individuais. A amostra incluiu 240 adultos jovens do sexo masculino e feminino que haviam usado ecstasy e/ou LSD nos 90 dias anteriores à entrevista e que não estavam em tratamento para abuso de álcool e drogas. Resultados Dos 240 sujeitos incluídos (idade média: 22,9±4,5 anos), 28,7% eram homossexuais ou bissexuais. A análise de regressão multivariada mostrou que a prevalência de sintomas de depressão nos últimos 12 meses no grupo não heterossexual foi 37% superior à dos heterossexuais [razão de prevalência (RP) = 1,79; intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) 1.03-3.11; p=0,037]. Conclusão Estratégias devem ser desenvolvidas para avaliar e abordar as necessidades individuais, e as abordagens de tratamento devem ser adaptadas para sintomas depressivos em usuários de drogas jovens e não heterossexuais.

A tool for sexual minority mental health research: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a depressive symptom severity measure for sexual minority women in Viet Nam.

In a context with limited attention to mental health and prevalent sexual prejudice, valid measurements are a key first step to understanding the psychological suffering of sexual minority populations. We adapted the Patient Health Questionnaire as a depressive symptom severity measure for Vietnamese sexual minority women, ensuring its cultural relevance and suitability for internet-based research. Psychometric evaluation found that the scale is mostly unidimensional and has good convergent validity, good external construct validity, and excellent reliability. The sample's high endorsement of scale items emphasizes the need to study minority stress and mental health in this population.

Health Outcomes of Sexual-Minority Youth in Canada: An Overview.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this review are to (1) document health outcomes among sexual-minority youth (SMY) in Canada; and (2) identify sexual-minority-specific risk and protective factors. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a review of Canadian data published after 2005 on the mental, physical and sexual health outcomes of SMY using relevant keywords. A total of 19 empirical studies and 2 research reports was included. DATA SYNTHESIS: The study reviewed included 53 to 30 588 respondents (total = 81 567). SMY counted for 15.86% of the total sample. Overall, SMY in Canada show negative health outcomes in proportions varying from 7% to 69.4%, the most common issues being psychological distress and maladjustment. SMY are more likely than their heterosexual peers to report psychological distress/malfunctioning, suicidality, substance misuse, condomless intercourse, pregnancy involvement. Main SMY-specific risk factors were family rejection of one's minority sexual orientation, homophobic bullying and victimization, and internalized homophobia. Among the few protective factors that were reported, school and family connectedness, school safety, parental support and sports involvement decreased the odds of negative health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Canadian data show that SMY are more likely to experience negative health outcomes than their heterosexual peers. These results are consistent with data from around the world. Recommendations for research and intervention are discussed.

Internalized homophobia as a partial mediator between homophobic bullying and self-esteem among youths of sexual minorities in Quebec (Canada) / Homofobia internalizada como mediador parcial do bullying homofóbico e autoestima entre jovens de minorias sexuais em Quebec (Canadá)

Verbal/psychological homophobic bullying is widespread among youths of sexual minorities. Homophobic bullying has been associated with both high internalized homophobia and low self-esteem. The objectives were to document verbal/psychological homophobic bullying among youths of sexual minorities and model the relationships between homophobic bullying, internalized homophobia and self-esteem. A community sample of 300 youths of sexual minorities aged 14 to 22 years old was used. A structural equation model was tested using a nonlinear, robust estimator implemented in Mplus. The model postulated that homophobic bullying impacts self-esteem both directly and indirectly, via internalized homophobia. 60.7% of the sample reported at least one form of verbal/psychological homophobic bullying. The model explained 29% of the variance of self-esteem, 19.6% of the variance of internalized homophobia and 5.3% of the verbal/psychological homophobic bullying. The model suggests that the relationship between verbal/psychological homophobic bullying and self-esteem is partially mediated by internalized homophobia. The results underscore the importance of initiatives to prevent homophobic bullying in order to prevent its negative effects on the well-being of youths of sexual minorities.

A homofobia verbal/psicológica (bullying homofóbico) é comum entre jovens de minorias sexuais. Está associada com homofobia internalizada e baixa autoestima. Os objetivos foram documentar o bullying homofóbico verbal/psicológico entre jovens de minorias sexuais e modelar a relação entre o bullying homofóbico, homofobia internalizada e autoestima. Foi utilizada uma amostra da comunidade com 300 jovens de minorias sexuais, na faixa etária entre 14 a 22 anos. Foi testado um modelo de equação estrutural usando um estimador não linear, robusto, implementado no Mplus. O modelo postula que o bullying homofóbico tem impacto na autoestima, direta e indiretamente, via homofobia internalizada. Os resultados apontaram que 60,7 % da amostra relataram pelo menos uma forma de bullying homofóbico verbal/psicológico. O modelo explicou 29% da variância da autoestima, 19,6% da variância da homofobia internalizada e 5,3 % do bullying homofóbico verbal/psicológico. O modelo sugere que a relação entre bullying homofóbico verbal/psicológico, assédio moral e autoestima é parcialmente mediada por homofobia internalizada. Os resultados sublinham a importância de iniciativas para prevenir o bullying homofóbico, evitando os efeitos negativos sobre o bem-estar dos jovens de minorias sexuais.