Although adolescence is theorized to be a critical period for identity development, little is known about how gender identity, specifically gender centrality and private regard, develops among adolescents. The current study assessed trajectories of gender centrality and private regard across five waves of data from Grade 9 through Grade 10 among cisgender adolescents from the United States (Mage = 14.1 years; N = 374; SD = 0.41, 139 boys and 235 girls). Additionally, the study explored how gender centrality, private regard, and their development were related to later psychological and social well-being. Initial levels of gender centrality and private regard did not differ by gender. However, boys showed declines in their levels of gender centrality and private regard, whereas girls remained stable. For girls, higher initial levels of gender centrality and private regard were associated with greater psychological and social well-being. Additionally, increases in positive regard were associated with increased psychological well-being one year later. Boys' gender identity was unrelated to their well-being. Findings underscore the importance of assessing gender identity as a developmental construct among middle adolescents and the implications that gender identity can have on the well-being of adolescents.

As conventional physical activity contexts are often male-dominated, cis-heteronormative, and uphold narrow Western beauty ideals, they contribute to the stigmatization and exclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Queer women may be particularly at risk, as they report the lowest rates of physical activity participation, compared to other LGBTQIA+ groups. To address this equity concern in physical activity, this study explored the relationship between queer women's body image and physical activity experiences. Participants (N = 70) engaged in virtual focus groups discussing their lived experiences and intersections of queer identity, body image, and physical activity. Using reflexive thematic analysis, four themes were identified to illustrate their experiences: The Queer Woman's Body is Political; (in)Visibility of Sexual and Gender Identity in Physical Activity; Hypervigilance to Maintain Safety and Avoid Gender-Based Violence; and Longing for Spaces that Foster Safety, Belonging, and Connection. Participant narratives illustrated the nuanced ways in which body image, gender, and sexuality marginalization intersect to shape physical activity engagement and experiences. This research underscores the urgent need for inclusive, queer affirming physical activity environments that prioritize psychological safety, belonging, and social connection, to support sustained participation and positive experiences.

We developed and refined a systematic keyword search process to flag sexual orientation and gender identity indicators in National Violent Death Reporting System suicide narratives (2003-2021). Applying this process to 298 662 records resulted in 2580 records being flagged for review; 1221 (47%) were classified as sexually or gender minoritized (SGM), increasing the sample of identified SGM decedents by 32%. Our findings highlight persistent failures in accurate surveillance, limiting understanding of SGM suicide mortality. Narrative review methods enhance SGM identification and can improve evidence-based suicide prevention and public health policy. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(6):755-760. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2026.308460).

Gender identities in the prehistoric societies of south-eastern Iberia: New insights from non-masticatory dental wear analysis and peptide-based sex identification

Health gaps by sexual orientation and gender identity among Japanese millennial generation: A decomposition analysis.

Introductory science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses critically shape students' academic trajectories, but often present barriers that limit achievement and retention. Despite the abundance of resources intended to support students in these courses, little is known about how students differentially engage with them, and how patterns of engagement may relate to course outcomes and help-seeking behaviors more broadly. We examined resource use among 1944 students enrolled in introductory biology at seven U.S. universities. Latent class analysis identified four distinct profiles of engagement that varied in the frequency and type of resources used. Contrary to expectations, student characteristics (e.g., race, gender identity) were not strong predictors of profile membership. However, final course grade differed significantly among the profiles; students who reported frequent use of both social and material resources earned significantly lower grades than students in other profiles. These findings challenge assumptions that greater resource use universally supports academic success and instead suggest other factors, such as metacognition and course context, may be salient determinants of resource use behaviors and academic outcomes. This study offers novel insights into a modifiable aspect of student learning behavior, contributing to ongoing efforts to design more effective STEM learning experiences.

This study examined how sexual and gender identity development experiences, commonly operationalized as "milestones," were navigated by Gen-Z LGBTQ+ young people. Using a life-history calendar approach, milestone-related experiences were treated as heuristic sites of meaning-making rather than fixed developmental benchmarks. Participants were a sample of 51 Australian LGBTQ+ young people (ages 16-26), purposively recruited from a larger quantitative study, who participated in semi-structured interviews conducted from May to September 2023. Participants reflected on their identity development experiences across childhood and adolescence. Interviews were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings indicate that identity-related experiences were often iterative and context-dependent, with meanings shifting across time, relationships, and social environments. Rather than unfolding as linear sequences, experiences such as self-identification, disclosure, and relationships were frequently revisited, deferred, reinterpreted, or resisted. Relational contexts, visibility, and experiences of affirmation or invalidation shaped how and when these experiences acquired significance. The study offers qualitative insight into dimensions of identity development that complement population-level milestone research and have implications for research, policy, and practice.

Gender and gender analysis are frequently misunderstood or conflated with sex and gender identity, resulting in inconsistent terminology across cultural, social, and organizational contexts in global public health. This ambiguity has proliferated diverse frameworks and scales to assess gender-responsiveness, hindering comparison and implementation. Terms like gender mainstreaming, integration, and analysis are often used interchangeably despite distinct functions. As a methodological musing, this paper proposes normative definitions for commonly used terms-gender-responsiveness, gender mainstreaming, gender integration, gender analysis, gender situational analysis, gender assessment, and gender needs assessment-highlighting what each is/is not and providing usage guidance. This paper is intended as a methodological intervention in global public health and health policy/systems research, where terminological ambiguity can challenge credibility, limit comparability across studies and organizations, and obscure claims about how gendered power relations shape health and health systems. By offering clear definitions and guidance on the appropriate use of these terms, we aim to support a more coherent and rigorous approach to gender-responsive approaches and strategies.

This study examines the framing of LGBTQ+ representation in Vietnamese television through the talk show Come Out - Step into the Light (2018-2022). Drawing on Framing Theory and Self-Representation Theory, it combines a content analysis of 203 episodes with two online focus group discussions involving 12 LGBTQ+ viewers. The analysis identifies three dominant framing categories: (1) the coming out journey; (2) relationships with family and society; and (3) self-expression without confrontation. While the programme expands the visibility of LGBTQ+ individuals in mainstream media, it continues to reflect biases related to gender identity, occupation, and regional background. Focus group findings show that while LGBTQ+ audiences recognised the programme's role in increasing visibility, they also critiqued its selective and sensationalist portrayals. Viewers emerge as active, critical interpreters who call for more authentic and nuanced representations of queer lives.

The healthcare model for transgender people in Andalusia changed in 2015 with the creation of Transgender People Care Units in each province. This retrospective study based on medical files describes the characteristics and analyzes the types of clinical demand of the transgender population treated at the Cadiz unit from 2015 to 2023. A total of 771 people were assisted during the study period, of whom 338 were assigned as male at birth (43.8%) and 433 were assigned as female (56.2%). The average age at the time of the initial evaluation was 21.36 ± 8.96years. With respect to gender identity, 422 (54.73%) were identified as transmen, 334 (43.32%) as transwomen, 13 (1.69%) as gender nonbinary, and 2 as gender fluid (0.26%). Gender-affirming hormones (GAHs) were started by 620 people (80.41%), with an average age of 20.9 ± 7.43years, and 7% of the population received puberty blockers (exclusively or prior to GAHs). Psychological support was requested by 213 people, more frequently among teenagers. A total of 194 breast surgeries and 130 genital surgeries were performed. Only 9 individuals (1.3%) presented changes in the gender identity initially expressed, and one of them expressed regret about treatment. In conclusion, demand for transgender care has grown exponentially in recent years, especially among the adolescent population, with a trend in favor of transmen. Most people requested hormonal therapy and, to a lesser extent, gender-affirming surgeries. The rate of people who changed their initially expressed gender identity was small, although it could be underestimated due to the high loss to follow-up for unknown reasons.

Loneliness is a widely studied transdiagnostic risk factor for myriad mental and physical health outcomes. However, it is often treated as unidimensional, potentially obscuring complex patterns of health disparities across different manifestations. This study sought to (1) explore the granularity of loneliness and (2) examine potential disparities in loneliness dimensions across groups of youths defined by self-reported gender identities and sexual orientations. This secondary analysis uses baseline data from a web-based randomized controlled psychological intervention trial, for which 2,446 youths completed the UCLA Loneliness Scale. Bass-Ackwards analysis extracted loneliness dimensions and associated factor scores at different levels of resolution. Cross-group comparisons focused on the most comprehensive level that retained interpretability. ANOVAs and Tukey's tests compared groups defined as (a) cisgender heterosexual, (b) cisgender sexual minority, and (c) dual gender and sexual minority. We identified a maximum of five interpretable loneliness dimensions: superficial relationships, relationship incompatibility, lack of support, aloneness, and introversion. Significant cross-group disparities emerged for superficial relationships, aloneness, and introversion, but not for relationship incompatibility or lack of support. Relative to cisgender heterosexual individuals, levels of superficial relationships and aloneness were disparately higher for sexual minorities and dual gender/sexual minorities, while levels of introversion were higher for dual gender/sexual minorities only. Multidimensional conceptualizations of loneliness may reveal distinct epidemiological patterns across demographic groups that can be obscured by a unidimensional approach. Future work should examine whether the multidimensionality of psychosocial risk factors like loneliness may be pertinent for applied research.

Coming out is often a pivotal autobiographical memory event for LGBTI+ individuals, serving both as a process of self-discovery and disclosure of sexual and/or gender identity to others. This research explores how coming out memories-often emotionally intense and identity-shaping-are constructed and recalled within interpersonal and social contexts. Bridging memory studies and LGBTI+ research, the study aimed to describe and compare LGBT individuals resident in the northern part of Cyprus and Türkiye's most positive and negative coming out experiences. In both contexts, same-sex relationships are not prohibited by law but institutional recognition and social acceptance remains limited. Using inductive open coding, responses were categorised into interconnected sub-themes; proportions were then compared across positive and negative memories using Z-tests. Context of disclosure (e.g. recipient, how, and where); reactions to disclosure (i.e. emotional responses, support/rejection, violence, relationship impact), and individual experiences (including personal emotional reactions and internal vs. external motivations for disclosure) all played a significant role in coming out memories. Findings highlight the complex interplay between memory, identity, and social context in shaping the lived experiences of LGBTI+ individuals in the studied contexts.

Body weight dissatisfaction (BWD) in men remains understudied, particularly with regard to the roles of male gender identities, sexual attraction, lifestyle factors, and social media use. Addressing this gap is crucial, as BWD is associated with dysfunctional weight-control behaviors, increased obesity risk, and diminished mental well-being. Using data from the 2022 Swiss Health Survey and multinomial logistic regression analysis, we found preliminary indications that identifying as other than a cisgender man, being attracted to men, having a higher body mass index (BMI), reporting a stronger desire to change one's weight, paying attention to diet, and using social media more frequently were associated with higher odds of BWD. In contrast, more frequent physical activity appeared to be linked to lower odds of BWD, while age showed no relevant association. Findings underscore the complex, identity-specific ways in which body ideals, health behaviors, and social influences may shape male body image.

This study assessed the associations between gender identity (transmasculine vs transfeminine) and sexuality-related variables, including marital status, sexual partners, sex work, and age at first intercourse. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study at a specialized transgender clinic in São Paulo, Brazil, analyzing medical records from March 2020 to August 2023. Data were routinely collected during clinical consultations through standardized questions for individualized care. Group assignment was based on self-identified gender identity documented in medical records. Chi-square and t-tests were applied (P < 0.05). We evaluated 74 individuals (trans men = 49, trans women = 25). Trans women were more frequently single (76% vs 44.9%, P = 0.014). Most reported one to five partners, but trans women more frequently reported no partners (16.7%) or >15 partners (11.1%) (P = 0.043). Sex work was more common among trans women (21.7% vs 6.3%, P = 0.049). No significant difference in age at first intercourse was observed (P = 0.298). Gender identity significantly influences relationship status, sexual behavior, and sex work engagement among transgender individuals. Trans women experienced greater sexual vulnerability, reflecting social exclusion and structural transphobia. These findings underscore the need for inclusive sexual health strategies and policies reducing structural inequalities.

Objectives Research on stigma toward bondage, discipline, dominance/submission, sadism/masochism (BDSM) and kink practitioners has grown, yet empirical evidence remains limited in Spanish-speaking countries. This study replicated and extended a recent Chilean investigation by examining discrimination among BDSM/kink practitioners in Spain and incorporating mental health indicators. Methods A total of 233 participants completed an online questionnaire assessing sociodemographic and BDSM-related variables, outness across social domains, perceived BDSM community support, experiences of discrimination in social domains and healthcare-related discrimination, and symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Results Overall, 28.8% reported discrimination, comparable to the Chilean study, while healthcare-related discrimination was lower in the Spanish sample. Regression analyses indicated that participants reporting a feminine gender identity were less likely to report any discrimination, yet reported higher levels of perceived stress and depressive symptoms; homosexual orientation was also associated with higher depressive symptoms. Outness demonstrated a marginal positive association with any discrimination, whereas BDSM community support was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting discrimination. Discrimination in any social domain significantly predicted anxiety symptoms beyond sociodemographic and BDSM-related factors. Conclusions Findings suggest both shared and context-specific stigma processes affecting BDSM/kink practitioners and underscore the mental health impact of discrimination, including experiences within healthcare environments. Further cross-cultural research should examine disclosure dynamics, resilience factors, and the role of sociocultural context in shaping discrimination and well-being among sexually and gender-diverse people.

Some autistic individuals camouflage their behavioral differences, a phenomenon that overlaps with general impression management (IM). Few studies have examined IM in autistic people, particularly outside English-speaking countries. This study delineated the shared facets of camouflaging and IM, and used this conceptual clarification to address two knowledge gaps: (1) the respective roles of assigned-sex, gender identity, and gender role expression in explaining IM facet differences, and (2) how these facets relate to autism features across life stages. French autistic adults (N = 291) completed self-report measures of camouflaging, concern for appropriateness, self-monitoring, and gender role expression. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule Second Edition (ADOS-2) measured childhood and adulthood autism features, respectively. Joint exploratory factor analysis extracted latent facets of camouflaging and IM measures. Hierarchical and elastic-net regressions examined how IM facets were associated with assigned-sex, gender identity, and gender role expression. Multiple regressions tested whether IM facets moderated the relationship between childhood and adulthood autism profiles. The results highlighted the multi-faceted nature of IM (as inclusive of camouflaging) and unveiled nuances beyond previously documented sex/gender differences in autistic camouflaging. We found two IM facets: "intentional use" (purposeful IM use) and "self-efficacy" (self-perceived IM capability). IM intentional use was greater in autistic women and gender-diverse adults than men. Greater IM self-efficacy was most strongly associated with higher communion traits (i.e., qualities of being caring and cooperative). In autistic assigned-males, greater IM self-efficacy was linked with lower adulthood autistic social communication features. The findings confer new insights into sex-related, gender-related, and potential developmental links between IM and autism profiles.

Gender biases in healthcare approaches lead to inequities in patient health outcomes, historically affecting women and gender minorities the most. In medicine, the concept of gender medicine explicitly addresses these disparities. Although Miers introduced the term gender-sensitive care in nursing two decades ago, there is still no consensus on how to define this phenomenon within the nursing discipline. To conduct an operational concept analysis of gender-sensitive nursing. A systematic literature review was performed using Walker and Avant's concept analysis method. This approach allowed for the identification of antecedents, defining attributes, empirical referents and consequences, as well as the proposal of model cases to illustrate the findings. A total of 34 articles were analysed. Three antecedents were identified: healthcare system accessibility, organizational commitment to equity and education from a gender perspective. Four defining attributes emerged: gender-aware nurses, legitimization of care, implementation of a gender-sensitive approach in nursing management and leadership, and the integration of gender assessment in the nursing process. Three key consequences were also identified: patient empowerment, harm prevention and minimization, and improvement in the quality and effectiveness of nursing care. Additionally, various instruments and strategies were found to operationalize the empirical referents of the concept. Model cases were proposed to exemplify the synthesized evidence. Far from being an abstract concept, gender-sensitive nursing is a measurable and actionable phenomenon that can be promoted in clinical practice through various empirical indicators. Gender-sensitive nursing legitimizes individual experiences shaped by gender identity and fosters structural improvements that empower patients. Gender-sensitive nursing is a measurable and actionable phenomenon that can be promoted in clinical practice through various empirical indicators.

ABSTRACT This paper foregrounds the often-neglected role of corporeality in understanding the intersection between professionalism and gender in Early Childhood Education. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with 32 male educators from Brazil and Italy and employing a hermeneutic approach, the study explores how these professionals perceive and articulate their embodied experiences and pedagogical practices. By emphasizing gender as an indelible thread in the fabric of professional identity, the analysis reveals distinctive dynamics within their practice, including nuanced conflict management, the use of humor, and a strong presence of physical and playful interaction. These aspects appear to constitute key ways through which men establish their professional legitimacy. The findings highlight the body as the primary medium through which performances of professional identity and gender are enacted and intersect, shaping perceptions of competence while being influenced by the various allowances and constraints experienced by male practitioners throughout their lives. Moreover, these insights may foster greater awareness of the role of the body in this profession, moving beyond representations that confine male and female gestures to fixed traits, and contributing to a less constrained experience for educators of any gender identity and, ultimately, for the children in their care.

Oral Health-related Quality of Life Among 2SLGBTQIAPN+: A Systematic Review.

IntroductionSexual and gender minority (SGM) workers are vulnerable to unemployment and experience alarming rates of depression. We aimed to assess how changes in employment status are associated with depressive symptoms among SGM workers.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used 3 annual questionnaires (2021-2023) of The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality (PRIDE) Study, an online, community-engaged cohort study of SGM adult health in the United States. Participants were ≥18 years old, active in the labour market, identified as SGM people and completed at least the 2021 and 2022 questionnaires. Marginal structural models were used to assess the association between changes in employment status from 2021 to 2022 and depressive symptoms in 2023.ResultsThere were 2245 SGM workers included in this study who had a median age of 35.2 years (IQR, 29.3–45.2). The most reported gender identities were non-binary (25.9%) and cisgender woman (25.3%), and the most reported sexual orientations were queer (50.8%) and bisexual (29.8%). The sample included 44 (2.0%) participants who remained unemployed from 2021 to 2022, 50 (2.2%) who lost employment, 70 (3.1%) who gained employment and 2081 (92.7%) who maintained employment. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) Score in 2023 was highest (ie, most depressive symptoms) among those who remained unemployed (mean: 11.1), followed by those that lost employment (mean: 8.7), gained employment (mean: 7.2) and maintained employment (mean: 6.1). After adjustment, compared with participants who maintained employment from 2021 to 2022, participants who lost their employment had a 2.84-point increase in PHQ-9 scores (95% CI 0.97 to 4.71) and those with prolonged unemployment had a 2.97-point increase (95% CI 0.98 to 4.95) in 2023.ConclusionsUnemployment is a meaningful contributor to depression among SGM populations. Health and social interventions should promote employment among SGM people.