Sexual Minority People Research Articles

Impact of Neighborhood Deprivation on Aging Sexual Minority People's Depression: Results from the CANUE and CLSA data

As the aging population grows across the world, exploring the impact of social environment on minority populations’ aging and well-being would be an essential step towards building an inclusive society. Using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) and Canadian Urban Environmental Health Research Consortium (CANUE) data, the study investigated the relationship between deprivation and depression level in aging sexual minority people to examine how neighborhood level social and material deprivation influence mental health. 48,792 survey respondents were included in our analyses and the average age was 62.9. The study had 47,792 heterosexual, 760 gay/lesbian, and 240 bisexual individuals (23,977 men and 24,815 women). Regression analyses were conducted while controlling for age in each model. Results revealed that neighborhood material deprivation has a significant impact on mental health outcomes of aging lesbian women and bisexual men. The study provides an opportunity for intervention considerations for materially deprived neighborhoods to serve the aging sexual minority people residing in such areas.

Body Uneasiness and Dissatisfaction Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Persons

IntroductionWhile sexual minority people have been widely considered at risk for developing a range of body image concerns, evidence of body dissatisfaction and shame amongst LGB (lesbian, gay, and bisexual) individuals is mixed. This study investigated differences in body uneasiness, body dissatisfaction, and self-blaming/attacking attitudes between LGB and heterosexual individuals, as well as within LGB groups, while also examining the predictive role of body mass index (BMI).MethodsA sample of cisgender lesbian women (n = 163), gay men (n = 277), bisexual women (n = 135), bisexual men (n = 39), heterosexual women (n = 398), and heterosexual men (n = 219) completed an online survey assessing different aspects of body image between May and July 2020.ResultsGay and bisexual men reported greater body image disturbance and self-blaming attitudes relative to heterosexual men. In contrast, lesbian women reported lower body uneasiness than their bisexual and heterosexual counterparts, but greater self-hate. Moreover, lesbian and bisexual women showed more body dissatisfaction than gay men, and bisexual individuals reported more body uneasiness than individuals in other sexual minority subgroups. Higher BMI emerged as a significant predictor of body image concerns and dissatisfaction.ConclusionsBody image dimensions showed sexual identity–based differences. Determining the specific nuances of body image in LGB individuals can provide important information on potential risk factors that may impact mental health outcomes.Policy ImplicationsIn-depth knowledge of body dissatisfaction and uneasiness in individuals with LGB identities may have critical implications for the development of personalized prevention and treatment strategies.

Health Experiences of Sexual and Gender Minority People Living With Dementia and Their Care Partners: Protocol for a Scoping Review.

People living with dementia and their care partners who identify as a sexual and gender minority (SGM) often experience specific health inequities and disparities due to discrimination related to age, cognitive impairment, and being SGM. The purpose of this scoping review is to identify, explore, and synthesize the state of the science regarding the health and health care experiences of SGM people living with dementia and their care partners. This review also aims to identify gaps in research and set forth key recommendations to improve the health and health care experiences of SGM people living with dementia and their care partners by advancing health equity through research, policy, and practice. The protocol follows the guidelines set forth by Joanna Briggs Institute protocol for scoping reviews. Steps of this framework that will be followed include (1) identifying the research question; (2) identifying relevant studies; (3) study selection; (4) charting the data; (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting the results; and (6) consultation. This scoping review will explore several electronic databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, AgeLine, PsychINFO, and Scopus. Health librarians will conduct the initial search for articles that are in English, include people living with dementia who identify as SGM, SGM people living with dementia and their care partners, or SGM care partners caring for people with dementia. Studies must be peer reviewed and focus on the phenomenon of interest, which is the health and health care experiences of participants. Covidence will be used to review abstracts and full-text articles and to screen articles. After the search has been completed, 2 independent reviewers will screen article titles and abstracts to identify eligibility. Discrepancies will be discussed and decided upon by the 2 reviewers. Relevant studies will be collected, and data will be extracted and charted to summarize key findings. Key findings will be presented to a community stakeholder group of SGM care partners and people living with dementia, and a listening session will be convened. This scoping review will identify the state of the science of health and health care experiences of people living with dementia and their care partners who identify as SGM. We will identify gaps and provide recommendations to inform future research, policy, and practice to improve health and health care experiences of SGM people living with dementia and their care partners. Little is known about people living with dementia and their care partners who identify as SGM. This scoping review will be one of the first to identify the health and health care experiences of people living with dementia and their care partners who identify as SGM. The results of this review will be used to guide future interventions and to inform future policy and practice to improve health care and reduce health disparities in this population. PRR1-10.2196/44918.

Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual (LGB) peoples' leadership self-effectiveness: The roles of internalized sexual stigma, LGB positive identity, and traditional masculinity.

Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of the minority stress model and the model of positive identity in sexual minority people, the current research contributes to fill a gap in the previous literature, investigating the relationships among leadership self-effectiveness, internalized sexual stigma, positive identity, and adherence to traditional masculinity of gay, lesbian, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Through a correlational study (N = 449), we collected data from 229 gay/bisexual men (51%) and 220 lesbian/bisexual women (49%). We hypothesized that lower internalized sexual stigma, higher LGB positive identity, and higher adherence to traditional masculinity were associated to higher self-perceived effectiveness. The interactive relationships among the variables, including participants' gender, were investigated from an exploratory perspective. The hypotheses were tested through two moderated regression models and the results confirmed that participants with lower internalized sexual stigma and higher LGB positive identity were more likely to perceive themselves as potential effective leaders. Also, the results showed a significant interaction between participants' gender and traditional masculinity score suggesting that high adherence to traditional masculinity was a significant predictor of self-perceived effectiveness only for gay/bisexual men, but not for lesbian/bisexual women. This research contributes to provide both confirmation and novel insights into the key role of relevant factors impacting on LGB people's leadership self-effectiveness, which might contribute to preserve the gay glass ceiling effect. The presence of antidiscrimination policies in organizations not only might reduce reports of discrimination but also enhance LGB employees' positive sense of self, which is a critical aspect to emerge as a leader.

Sexting Behaviors Before and During COVID-19 in Italian and Colombian Young Adults

IntroductionRecent research highlight increasing at-risk online sexual activities and behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic among young adults. Specifically, sexting refers to exchanging sexually suggestive messages, photos, and videos through technological devices, and it can be placed on a continuum from safer to riskier behavior. This study aims to improve our knowledge about sexting behaviors in Italian and Colombian young adults before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsA survey online was filled in by all recruited participants through a snowball sampling procedure (from December 2019 to June 2021) both in Italy and Colombia, resulting in a total of 2931 participants (2051 from Italy and 880 from Colombia) aged 18 to 35 years old (Mage = 23.85; SDage = 3.63; 67.6% girls).ResultsItalian youth were more engaged in risky sexting than Colombian participants, while Colombians indicated being more engaged in non-consensual sexting than Italians. Sexual minority people reported more sharing their own sexts, higher levels of sexting under pressure, and 3.2 times more risky sexting than exclusively heterosexual counterparts. During the pandemic period, participants sent their own sexts 1.5 times more and were less involved in non-consensual sexting than in the pre-pandemic era.ConclusionsThe present research could help understand better the cultural dynamics underlying the differences in sexting behaviors, suggesting the relevance of investigating how sexting behaviors and online at-risk activities have changed since the pandemic started.Policy ImplicationsResults provide implications for educational and prevention programs to improve young people's awareness of sexting behaviors.

Targeting Self-Compassion Among Sexual and Gender Minority People Experiencing Psychological Distress: A Comment on.

Targeting Self-Compassion Among Sexual and Gender Minority People Experiencing Psychological Distress: A Comment on.

Willingness to use and preferences for long-acting injectable PrEP among sexual and gender minority populations in the southern United States, 2021-2022: cross-sectional study.

Long-acting injectable (LAI) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2021. LAI PrEP is more effective than oral PrEP. However, it is not clear whether the groups most at risk of HIV in the United States will use LAI PrEP. Willingness to use LAI PrEP and preference for LAI versus oral PrEP has not been reported for sexual and gender minority (SGM) people in the southern United States, where the HIV epidemic is concentrated. Our goal was to assess willingness to use LAI PrEP and preference for oral versus LAI PrEP among SGM people in the southern United States and to assess differences in willingness by demographics and sexual behaviour. We conducted an online, cross-sectional survey of SGM people aged 15-34 years in the southern United States (n = 583). Participants reported willingness to use LAI PrEP and preferences for LAI PrEP versus daily oral PrEP. We assessed bivariate associations and adjusted prevalence ratios for the LAI-PrEP-related outcomes and key demographic and behavioural characteristics. Overall, 68% of all participants (n = 393) reported being willing to use LAI PrEP that provides protection against HIV for 3 months. Of those, most (n = 320, 81%) indicated a preference for using LAI PrEP, compared to a daily oral pill or no preference. Willingness to use LAI PrEP was more common among transgender and non-binary participants and participants who engaged in condomless anal intercourse in the last 6 months. Hispanic participants were more likely and non-Hispanic Black participants were less likely to report willingness to use LAI PrEP compared to non-Hispanic White participants. Willingness to use LAI PrEP was high among SGM people in the southern United States, although there were some important differences in willingness based on demographic characteristics. Decreased willingness to use LAI PrEP among groups who are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, such as non-Hispanic Black SGM people, could exacerbate existing disparities in HIV incidence. LAI PrEP is an acceptable option among SGM populations in the southern United States, but strategies will be needed to ensure equitable implementation.

Abstract P458: An Examination of the Influence of Daily Intersectional Minority Stressors on Sleep Health in Sexual and Gender Minority People of Color

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM; e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender) people of color are at higher risk for poor sleep health outcomes than both White SGM adults and non-SGM people of color. Growing evidence suggests that chronic minority stressors (i.e., unique stressors attributed to one or more of an individual’s minoritized identities) are associated with short sleep duration and worse sleep quality in SGM adults. However, no study has examined the associations of daily intersectional minority stressors (i.e., attributed to any reason, such as race, sexual identity, gender) with sleep health outcomes in SGM people of color. Objective: To determine the associations of intersectional minority stressors (i.e., anticipated and experienced discrimination) with subsequent sleep health outcomes (i.e., sleep duration, sleep disturbances, and sleep-related impairment) at the day level among SGM people of color. Methods: An online sample of SGM people of color living in the United States participated in a 30-day daily diary study. Daily anticipated discrimination (i.e., expectation of encountering discrimination) and personally experienced discrimination as well as daily subjective sleep health outcomes were assessed using morning and evening electronic diaries. Daily anticipated and experienced discrimination were assessed using validated measures. Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) 4-item measures were used to assess daily subjective sleep disturbances and sleep-related impairment. Continuous wrist-worn actigraphy was used to objectively assess sleep duration. Multilevel linear models (MLMs) were used to estimate the independent associations of daily intersectional minority stressors with subsequent sleep health outcomes, adjusted for demographic factors and chronic minority stressors. Results: The sample included 43 SGM people of color with a mean age of 27.0 years (+/- 7.7) of which 84% were Latinx, 47% were multi-racial, and 37% were bisexual. Results of MLMs indicated that greater report of daily experienced discrimination was positively associated with same-night sleep disturbances ( B[SE] = 0.33[0.12], p = 0.01). Further, daily anticipated discrimination was positively associated with sleep-related impairment on the following day ( B[SE] = 0.39[0.17], p = 0.02). However, daily anticipated and experienced discrimination were not associated with same-night sleep duration. Conclusions: This is the first study to simultaneously examine the influence of daily anticipated and experienced discrimination on sleep health in any population. Further research is needed to identify factors driving the link between daily intersectional minority stressors and subjective sleep health outcomes in SGM people of color. This work is crucial to inform precision sleep health interventions tailored for this population.

Abstract P355: Examining Sexual Identity Differences in Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring Among Adults in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Background: Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) monitoring has been identified as an effective strategy to achieve BP control among adults with hypertension. Although there is growing evidence that sexual minority (e.g., gay/lesbian, bisexual) adults are at higher risk of hypertension than heterosexual adults, there is no data on hypertension self-management among sexual minority people with hypertension. Methods: We used data from the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System to examine differences in SMBP monitoring between sexual minority and heterosexual participants with hypertension. Participants were asked questions regarding SMBP monitoring at home, including whether they were advised by a healthcare professional to check their BP at home, regularly checked their BP at home, and if they shared their home BP readings with a healthcare professional. We ran sex-stratified logistic regression models, adjusted for demographic factors and healthcare utilization, to estimate differences in SMBP monitoring between sexual minority and heterosexual participants. Results: The sample included 25,461 participants with a mean age of 54.1 ( ± 16.8) of which 95.1% were heterosexual, 1.7% were gay/lesbian, and 2.2% were bisexual. Although there were no differences in the odds of being advised by a healthcare professional to check their BP at home, lesbian women were more likely than heterosexual women to report taking their BP at home (AOR 1.23, 95% CI = 1.03-4.85) and sharing their home BP readings with a healthcare professional (AOR 2.31, 95% CI = 1.04-5.17). In contrast, bisexual women were less likely than heterosexual women to report taking their BP at home (AOR 0.59, 95% CI = 0.43-0.81) and sharing their home BP readings with a healthcare professional (AOR 0.56, 95% CI = 0.40-0.78). No differences in SMBP monitoring were found between sexual minority and heterosexual men. Conclusions: As the first examination of sexual identity differences in SMBP monitoring among adults with hypertension, this study addresses important knowledge gaps within cardiovascular and sexual minority health research. Lesbian women with hypertension exhibited more favorable self-management behaviors compared to heterosexual women. However, bisexual women with hypertension were less likely than heterosexual women to engage in SMBP monitoring. Findings suggest there is a need for clinical interventions to improve hypertension self-management among bisexual women.

An Exploratory Study of the Mpox Media Consumption, Attitudes, and Preferences of Sexual and Gender Minority People Assigned Male at Birth in the United States.

Purpose: This study examined the consumption of, attitudes toward, and preferences for mpox media among U.S. sexual and gender minority (SGM) people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Methods: A total of 496 SGM people AMAB completed an online cross-sectional survey between August 6 and 15, 2022. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Results: Approximately two-thirds of participants overall agreed that media-related content about mpox targeted (66.3%) and stigmatized gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (69.2%). The three most preferred mpox content were the destigmatization of SGM people (44.2%), mpox vaccine accessibility (25.2%), and mpox transmission and prevention (19.2%). Rural participants had a lower likelihood of consuming mpox-related media than urban participants. Conclusion: SGM people AMAB prefer mpox messaging campaigns to be grounded in stigma-reduction to ensure that messages do not perpetrate stigma against them. Stigmatizing content might foster SGM people AMAB to distrust mpox interventions.

Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Interventions for Sexual and/or Gender Minority-Identified People and the Theories That Underpin Them: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review takes stock of the social and behavior change theories that have underpinned tobacco interventions tailored to sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) people and reflects on the need to target contextually based drivers of SGM tobacco use inequities. Data sources were Medline (Ovid), Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar (January 01, 1946 to October 27, 2022). Peer-reviewed publications in English from anywhere in the world describing SGM-tailored tobacco cessation and/or prevention interventions were independently identified by a librarian and screened by the first and third authors. Three hundred and sixty-seven articles were extracted; an additional two were found by hand searching. A total of 369 articles were assessed for eligibility. Exclusion criteria were: Not an intervention, review article, not SGM-tailored, or tobacco-focused. We documented the intervention name, intervention components, theoretical frameworks cited in reference to intervention design and/or implementation, and evaluation outcomes. All authors provided input on theoretical framework categorization. We identified 22 publications corresponding to 15 unique interventions. Individual-level behavior change theories (ie, those focusing on within-person behavior change processes) were the most prominent. Among these, the Transtheoretical Model was the most frequently utilized, while Social Inoculation Theory, Theory of Reasoned Action, and Theory of Psychological Reactance were also employed. A minority of interventions referenced frameworks that more explicitly engaged with SGM people's social contexts, namely, Theory of Diffusion of Innovations and Minority Stress Model. Future SGM-tailored tobacco interventions should leverage both the strengths of individual-level behavior change theories and those of frameworks that understand tobacco use inequities as indivisible from place, context, and policy. This scoping review describes the theoretical underpinnings of sexual and/or gender minority (SGM)-tailored tobacco interventions published in the peer-review literature in English. It reflects on the need for greater utilization of social and behavior change theoretical frameworks that can engage with unique drivers of SGM tobacco use and barriers to cessation.

Enhancing an online cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for depression: Harnessing the feedback of sexual and gender minority youth to help improve SPARX.

SPARX is an online cognitive behavioural therapy self-help intervention for adolescent depression provided in serious game format. Since 2014, it has been freely available in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) due to funding from the NZ government. In 2020/21, feedback from sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) was used to refine and update SPARX. Three online focus groups and follow-up email consultations involved 12 SGMY (16 to 25 years old) in NZ. A general inductive approach was used to analyse data. SGMY had specific needs as well as preferences and four themes were identified: attend to our contextual realities; portrayals of sexual and gender minority people in games; envisaged ideals for serious gaming and appraisals of SPARX. SGMY feedback was used to improve SPARX for this unique population, with the updates launched in October 2021. SGMY are underserved in terms of their mental health needs. Refining or tailoring existing interventions proffers a potential way forward in terms of addressing these needs.

Identity affirmation is associated with adaptive cardiovascular flexibility in response to stress among sexual and gender minority people of color

BackgroundResearch with sexual and gender minority (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, asexual, trans, non-binary) people of Color (SGM-PoC) has largely focused on risk and negative health outcomes. The existing strengths-based mental health research suggests that identity affirmation may be associated with psychological resilience and good mental health among SGM-PoC, but little is known about predictors of physiological resilience and biomarkers of physical health in this population. Adaptive cardiovascular flexibility is an indicator of physiological resilience and physical health in that it enables the body to mobilize resources to adapt to challenges. This study explored the association between identity affirmation and physiological resilience, observed through cardiovascular flexibility in response to stress among SGM-PoC. MethodsParticipants were 95 SGM-PoC of varying ethnoracial backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities, residing in Canada. Participants completed questionnaires on sociodemographic and psychosocial variables, including a measure of identity affirmation, the Queer People of Color Identity Affirmation Scale (QPIAS). In a laboratory setting, we induced stress using the Trier Social Stress Test and measured heart rate variability (HRV) over time using wearable electrocardiogram devices. ResultsResults from multilevel modeling analyses revealed that high QPIAS scores were associated with adaptive cardiovascular flexibility, as evidenced by reduced HRV during stress exposure, followed by HRV increase during recovery. As QPIAS scores increased, the shape of HRV trajectory increasingly reflected our predicted pattern of adaptive cardiovascular flexibility. Meanwhile, low QPIAS scores were not associated with this pattern and appeared to predict a more flatlined HRV activity during the experiment. ConclusionsFindings indicate that Queer People of Color identity affirmation may be related to physiological resilience, observed through a more adaptive cardiovascular profile when responding to stress. Identity affirmation may thus be a protective factor for SGM-PoC, pointing to the critical importance of affirming resources and strengths-based health research.

Exploring Stroke Risk Factors and Outcomes in Sexual and Gender Minority People.

Cerebrovascular disease in sexual and gender minority (SGM) people remains poorly understood. Our primary objective was to describe the epidemiology and outcomes in a sample of SGM people with stroke. As a secondary objective, we compared this group with non-SGM people with stroke to assess for significant differences in risk factors or outcomes. This was a retrospective chart review study of SGM people admitted to an urban stroke center with primary diagnosis of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic). We evaluated stroke epidemiology and outcomes, summarizing with descriptive statistics. We then matched 1 SGM person to 3 non-SGM people by year of birth and year of diagnosis to compare demographics, risk factors, inpatient stroke metrics, and outcomes. A total of 26 SGM people were included in the analysis: 20 (77%) had ischemic strokes, 5 (19%) intracerebral hemorrhages, and 1 (4%) subarachnoid hemorrhage. Compared with non-SGM people (n = 78), stroke subtypes showed a similar distribution (64 (82%) ischemic strokes, 12 (15%) intracerebral hemorrhages, 1 (1%) subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 1 nontraumatic subdural hematoma, p > 0.05) but suspected ischemic stroke mechanisms had a different distribution (χ2 = 17.56, p = 0.01). Traditional stroke risk factors were similar between the 2 groups. The SGM group seemed to have higher rates of nontraditional stroke factors, including HIV (31% vs 0%, p < 0.01), syphilis (19% vs 0%, p < 0.01), and hepatitis C (15% vs 5%, p < 0.01) but were more likely to be tested for these risk factors (χ2 = 15.80, p < 0.01; χ2 = 11.65, p < 0.01; χ2 = 7.83, p < 0.01, respectively). SGM people were more likely to have recurrent strokes (χ2 = 4.39, p < 0.04) despite similar follow-up rates. SGM people may have different risk factors, different mechanisms of stroke, and higher risk of recurrent stroke compared with non-SGM people. Standardized collection of sexual orientation and gender identity would enable larger studies to further understand disparities, leading to secondary prevention strategies.

Queering Filipino American History: Exploring LGBTQ+ Filipina/x/o American THEIR/OURstories

Abstract: The histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual minority (LGBTQ+) people in the United States are often minimal, nonexistent, or erased—mainly due to the systemic transphobia and heterosexism that have prevented LGBTQ+ of the past from living authentically in their gender identities and sexualities. For queer and trans people of color, including LGBTQ+ Filipina/x/o Americans, histories are even more susceptible to invisibility or erasure, due to the added stigmas within and toward communities of color, religious groups, and immigrants. This paper draws on limited existing resources and speculative analysis to highlight the histories of LGBTQ+ Filipina/x/o Americans from early to contemporary migration waves—utilizing primary sources, as well as queer theories and methods. Personal reflections and future directions for Filipina/x/o American history are discussed.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) and sexualised drug use among men who have sex with men: a systematic review.

Drug-related harms, including harms from sexualised drug use (SDU), are disproportionately experienced by sexual and gender minority people, relative to their majority counterparts. Chemsex, a type of SDU practiced mainly by MSM, is associated with methamphetamine use and increased HIV seropositivity or risk of acquisition. Therefore, participants are at increased risk of immunocompromise. Existing evidence suggests that drug use increases following natural disasters. The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on chemsex is unknown. A PRISMA-adherent systematic review was conducted to synthesise reports of changes in the prevalence, frequency, or characteristics of drug use (and factors associated with these changes) following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report presents findings related to SDU/chemsex among MSM. A comprehensive search across nine databases, supplemented with backward-forward citation searching and contact with key opinion leaders, was conducted. Two reviewers carried out title-abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. Following a final, single database search, nine studies were included in the narrative synthesis. More than half the sample were studies investigating HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use. Twenty percent of participants in most studies reported chemsex participation. In four, participants reported a net increase or maintenance of chemsex participation during the pandemic and five reported a net decrease. Increased chemsex participation was associated with loneliness, cravings, and working during the pandemic. Decreased chemsex practice was associated with COVID-19-related fear. This synthesis suggests that chemsex practice continued, and for some MSM increased, throughout COVID-19 pandemic 'lockdowns'. This may have increased COVID-19 transmission and severity among potentially vulnerable MSM.

Psychiatric morbidities among sexual minorities in India: A cross-sectional study from a north-east state of Manipur

Background: Sexual minorities refer to individuals whose sexual identity, gender orientation, and sexual practices differ from that of surrounding society. In general, they are called lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals. Because of the stigma and discrimination, they are prone to many psychological issues. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study was to study the psychiatric morbidities among sexual minority people of Manipur. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted with the help of a non-governmental organization in a northeast state of Manipur after getting ethical committee approval. A total of 70 sexual minority individuals were selected using non-probability sampling. After taking the consent, a semi-structured pro forma was used to collect sociodemographic details. Mini‑international neuropsychiatry interview‑plus was administered to assess psychiatric morbidities. Results: Lesser family support and a higher history of sexual abuse were present in our study group. Depression was found in 25% of lesbians and transgender each and in 20% of gay people in our group whereas current suicidal risk was seen among 31.2% of transgender and 15% among lesbians and gays in our study sample. Anxiety spectrum of disorders was present in 41.6% of lesbians, 35% of gays, 33.3% of bisexuals, and in 53.1% of transgender. Substance dependence was present among 41.6% lesbians, 66.6% of gays, 66.6% of bisexuals, and 43.7% of transgender. Conclusion: Higher prevalence of psychiatric morbidities was found among these sexual minority individuals and hence prompting for a necessary intervention at the earliest.

Experiences of key populations in getting and sharing HIV and AIDS-related information: A descriptive phenomenological study

Despite the long-running targeted communication programs, the concentrated HIV epidemic in key populations has not declined as expectedin Nepal.In this context, the present descriptive phenomenological study was carried out in Nepalgunj Submetropolitan City to explore the experiences of key populations in getting and sharing HIV and AIDS-related information. In-depth interviews were carried out with nine participants selected through snowball sampling from sexual minority people, and female sex workers. Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological analysis method was adopted in data analysis. Participants were increasingly using digital means of communication. Peer approach was experienced as more confidential and training in drop-in-center a friendly mode of communication. Experiences of embarrassment, stigma, and discrimination were also prevalent. The findings of this study indicate HIV communication needs to be easily accessible, confidential, and friendly.

Outness, Discrimination, and Psychological Distress Among LGBTQ+ People Living in the Southern United States.

Purpose: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) people face mental health disparities. These disparities are amplified in the Southern regions of the United States. This study assessed the role of outness, discrimination, and other demographic variables on possible serious mental illness (SMI) among LGBTQ+ Southerners. Methods: This study used data from the 2017 LGBT Institute Southern Survey, a cross-sectional convenience sample of 6502 LGBTQ+ adults living in 14 Southern states. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to examine differences between those with and without possible SMI. Results: Outness was associated with a lower likelihood of possible SMI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.696, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.574-0.844, p = 0.001), especially when controlling for discrimination in the past 12 months (OR: 0.693, 95% CI: 0.576-0.834, p ≤ 0.001) and lifetime discrimination (OR: 0.678, 95% CI: 0.554-0.829, p = 0.001). Lifetime discrimination was associated with a higher likelihood of possible SMI (OR: 1.413, 95% CI: 1.034-1.932, p = 0.033), as was discrimination experienced in the past 12 months (OR: 1.626, 95% CI: 1.408-1.877, p ≤ 0.001). Black/African American respondents had the lowest percentage of possible SMI (21.0%) compared with other races, despite having lower or comparable rates of outness. Conclusion: These results indicate a possible promotive effect of outness against possible SMI among LGBTQ+ Southerners, as well as possible promotive group-level factors among Black/African American LGBTQ+ Southerners. Policies and interventions that address discrimination against LGBTQ+ Southerners should be expanded, and future research should address how the relationships between outness, discrimination, and mental health outcomes may vary by subgroup.

Greater lifetime stressor exposure is associated with poorer mental health among sexual minoritypeople of color.

Research has shown that sexual minority people of color experience pervasive and sometimes severe life stressors that increase their risk of experiencing mental health problems, and that can contribute to lifelong health disparities. However, no studies in this population have investigated stressor exposure occurring over the entire lifespan. Moreover, it remains unknown whether these stressor-health effects differ based on the timing or types of stressors experienced. The purpose of this study is to examine how cumulative lifetime stressor exposure is associated with mental health among Black, Latinx, and biracial Black-Latinx sexual minority persons. Participants were 285 ethnic/racial minority young adults (Mage = 25.18 years old, SD = 1.94, age range = 19-29 years), who completed the Stress and Adversity Inventory for Adultsto assess for retrospective reports of lifetime stressor count and severity. The Brief Symptom Inventory was used to assess participants' symptoms of anxiety, depression, and somatization, which were the main outcomes. Most participants identified as cisgender male (94.7%) and gay (74.2%), with the remaining participants identifying as transgender or genderqueer/nonbinary for gender and bisexual/pansexual, queer, or another sexual orientation. Multiple regression analyses indicated that experiencing more-and more severe-stressors across the lifespan was related to greater anxiety, depressive, and somatization symptoms. These effects were robust while controlling for race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, education, and employment status, and they differed based on stressor exposure timing, type, primary life domain, and core social-psychological characteristic. Greater cumulative lifetime stressor exposure is related to poorer mental health among sexual minority people of color. Screening for lifetime stressors may thus help identify at-risk persons and provide an opportunity to intervene to help mitigate or prevent mental health disparities in multiply stigmatized adults.