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Williams ND, Turpin RE, Boekeloo BO, King-Marshall EC, Fish JN. Black Sexual Minority Adults' Avoidance of Professional Mental Health Care. Psychiatr Serv 2024; 75:40-47. [PMID: 37386879 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ps.20220445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The authors sought to determine whether Black sexual minority individuals were more likely than White sexual minority individuals to postpone or avoid professional mental health care (PMHC) and, if so, to identify the reasons for postponing or avoiding care. METHODS Analyses were conducted with a subsample of cisgender Black (N=78) and White (N=398) sexual minority individuals from a larger survey of U.S. adults administered via MTurk in 2020 (N=1,012). Logistic regression models were used to identify racial differences in overall postponement or avoidance of care as well as differences in the prevalence of each of nine reasons for postponing or avoiding care. RESULTS Black sexual minority individuals were more likely than their White counterparts to report ever postponing or avoiding PMHC (average marginal effect [AME]=13.7 percentage points, 95% CI=5.4-21.9). Black sexual minority people also were more likely than their White counterparts to cite beliefs that they should work out their problems on their own (AME=13.1 percentage points, 95% CI=1.2-24.9) or with family and friends (AME=17.5 percentage points, 95% CI=6.0-29.1) and to cite providers' refusal to treat them (AME=17.4 percentage points, 95% CI=7.6-27.1) as reasons for postponing or avoiding care. CONCLUSIONS Black sexual minority individuals were more likely than their White counterparts to report delaying or avoiding PMHC. Personal beliefs about managing mental health and providers' refusal to offer treatment influenced Black sexual minority individuals' willingness or ability to seek PMHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha D Williams
- University of Maryland Prevention Research Center, University of Maryland, College Park (all authors); Departments of Family Science (Williams, Fish) and Behavioral and Community Health (Boekeloo, King-Marshall), School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park; Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Turpin)
| | - Rodman E Turpin
- University of Maryland Prevention Research Center, University of Maryland, College Park (all authors); Departments of Family Science (Williams, Fish) and Behavioral and Community Health (Boekeloo, King-Marshall), School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park; Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Turpin)
| | - Bradley O Boekeloo
- University of Maryland Prevention Research Center, University of Maryland, College Park (all authors); Departments of Family Science (Williams, Fish) and Behavioral and Community Health (Boekeloo, King-Marshall), School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park; Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Turpin)
| | - Evelyn C King-Marshall
- University of Maryland Prevention Research Center, University of Maryland, College Park (all authors); Departments of Family Science (Williams, Fish) and Behavioral and Community Health (Boekeloo, King-Marshall), School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park; Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Turpin)
| | - Jessica N Fish
- University of Maryland Prevention Research Center, University of Maryland, College Park (all authors); Departments of Family Science (Williams, Fish) and Behavioral and Community Health (Boekeloo, King-Marshall), School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park; Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia (Turpin)
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Watson RJ, Caba AE, Layland EK, Simon K, Morgan E, Edelman EJ, Chan PA, Eaton L. Co-occurring mental health and drug use experiences among Black and Hispanic/Latino sexual and gender diverse individuals. J Behav Med 2023; 46:986-995. [PMID: 37407904 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-023-00433-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Black and Hispanic/Latino sexual and gender diverse individuals disproportionately experience overlapping health disparities, such as drug use and elevated depressive symptoms, which are often driven by minority stressors. We sought to better understand the interaction between drug use and mental health, as it may be fruitful in developing effective interventions to address co-occurring health disparities. In a longitudinal, 5-wave sample of 300 Black and Hispanic/Latino sexual and gender diverse (SGD) individuals collected between March 2020 and March 2022, we found a within-person association between greater than average levels of psychological distress (depression and anxiety) and more frequent extra-medical use of cannabis, inhalants, methamphetamines, and opioids over the span of two years. These associations held after adjusting for the direct, within-person association of internalized homonegativity with drug use frequency. These results suggest that psychological distress explains at least some variance in drug use among Black and Hispanic/Latino SGD individuals. This highlights the importance of interventions that focus on mental health among Black and Hispanic/Latino SGD individuals who report drug use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan J Watson
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA.
| | - Antonia E Caba
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
| | - Eric K Layland
- College of Education & Human Development, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA
| | - Kay Simon
- College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ethan Morgan
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, 1585 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - E Jennifer Edelman
- Yale School of Medicine and Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Philip A Chan
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence Rhode, Island
| | - Lisa Eaton
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA
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Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Aversion: A Canadian Community-Based Study. J Sex Med 2022; 19:1269-1280. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.05.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Exercise as a Mitigator of Poor Mental Health Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults. J Phys Act Health 2021; 18:548-556. [PMID: 33848980 DOI: 10.1123/jpah.2020-0703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There is a positive association between exercise and improved mental health in the general population. Although there is a greater burden of psychological distress among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, little is known about the association between exercise and mental health in this population. The authors explored the association between exercise and poor mental health reported by LGB adults in the United States. METHODS Our analyses used data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the association between exercising and mental health days adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS Data were available for 6371 LGB participants. LGB adults who participated in any exercise reported almost 1.0 day less of poor mental health in the past 30 days compared with LGB adults who did not exercise (P ≤ .01). LGB adults who met one or both of the physical activity guidelines had between 1.2 and 1.7 days less of poor mental health compared with those who did not meet the guidelines (P ≤ .01). CONCLUSION Fewer days of poor mental health were reported by LGB adults who exercised. Determining whether physical activity interventions, including aerobic and strengthening exercises, could improve mental health outcomes in LGB adults should be studied.
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Baumel K, Hamlett M, Wheeler B, Hall D, Randall AK, Mickelson K. Living Through COVID-19: Social Distancing, Computer-Mediated Communication, and Well-Being in Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Adults. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2021; 68:673-691. [PMID: 33523776 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2020.1868190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has had far-reaching effects on people's lives, with evidence of a disproportionate impact on marginalized groups. Given existing health disparities and research on minority stress, COVID-19 may have uniquely impacted psychological well-being among sexual minorities. In an online survey of adults in the U.S. (N = 1,007) conducted in April 2020, we examined differences between sexual minority and heterosexual participants in psychological well-being, social distancing, computer-mediated communication, and COVID-19-related worry and experiences. Sexual minorities reported lower thriving and greater psychological distress, social distancing, computer-mediated communication, and COVID-19 worry and experiences than heterosexual participants. Social distancing and distress were positively correlated among sexual minorities and more frequent computer-mediated communication predicted greater thriving across groups. Path analyses showed sexual minorities' poorer psychological well-being was mediated by their greater COVID-19 worry and social distancing, in particular. These findings shed light on the distinct impact of COVID-19 on sexual minorities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Baumel
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University , Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Mara Hamlett
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University , Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Brittany Wheeler
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University , Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Deborah Hall
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University , Glendale, Arizona, USA
| | - Ashley K Randall
- Counseling and Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University , Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Kristin Mickelson
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Arizona State University , Glendale, Arizona, USA
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Sheinfil AZ, Foley JD, Ramos J, Antshel KM, Woolf-King SE. Psychotherapeutic depression interventions adapted for sexual and gender minority youth: A systematic review of an emerging literature. JOURNAL OF GAY & LESBIAN MENTAL HEALTH 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2019.1622616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alan Z. Sheinfil
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Jacklyn D. Foley
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Jeremy Ramos
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Kevin M. Antshel
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Sarah E. Woolf-King
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Praeger R, Roxburgh A, Passey M, Mooney-Somers J. The prevalence and factors associated with smoking among lesbian and bisexual women: Analysis of the Australian National Drug Strategy Household Survey. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2019; 70:54-60. [PMID: 31082663 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.03.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In many countries, sexual minority women smoke at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts. Analyses tend to combine lesbian and bisexual women, preventing an understanding of relevant factors associated with smoking for each group. This analysis used a representative sample of the Australian population to compare tobacco use between heterosexual, lesbian and bisexual women, and examine factors associated with smoking among these groups. METHODS In a secondary analysis of data from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey (N = 23,855), descriptive statistics were produced for heterosexual (n = 11,776), lesbian (n = 135) and bisexual (n = 167) women. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was undertaken to assess which factors were associated with current smoking among the different groups. RESULTS Compared to heterosexual women, lesbian and bisexual women were more likely to be current smokers (OR 2.9(1.8,4.5) and OR 3.6(2.4, 5.4) respectively). Employment, income and psychological distress were significant factors associated with smoking for lesbian women. Recent illicit drug use was the only significant factor associated with smoking for bisexual women. CONCLUSIONS We need to better understand the psychological, social and cultural factors that influence initiation, and sustain smoking among lesbian and bisexual women. Our findings demonstrate that sexual minority women in Australia warrant specific policy attention in a national framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Praeger
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Health Ethics, Level 1 Medical Foundation Building, 91-97 Parramatta Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
| | - Amanda Roxburgh
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Megan Passey
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University Centre for Rural Health, 61 Uralba Street, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia.
| | - Julie Mooney-Somers
- University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Health Ethics, Level 1 Medical Foundation Building, 91-97 Parramatta Road, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia.
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