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Lăzărescu G, Karner-Hutuleac A, Maftei A. Modern homophobia among heterosexual Romanian adults: the roles of sexual orientation beliefs, religiosity, perceived social roles, and social media use. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1219442. [PMID: 37809294 PMCID: PMC10556666 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1219442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to examine some potential predictors of homophobia against lesbians and gay individuals. Our sample comprised 722 heterosexual participants aged 18-74, mostly women (self-reported gender; 224 men and 498 women) with various educational backgrounds (i.e., High School, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees). Participants filled in self-reported scales measuring sexual orientation beliefs (incremental vs. entity views), religiosity, social media use, and perceived gender-transcendent social roles. Correlation analyses and multiple regression models were computed separately for men and women. For all participants, homophobia against lesbians (HAL) was negatively associated with participants' age, religiosity, and gender-transcendent social roles and positively with incremental views about sexuality. However, only in the case of women was HAL positively related to social media use. Next, for both men and women, homophobia against gay individuals (HAG) was negatively related to age, religiosity, and gender-transcendent social roles. However, only in the case of women, HAG was positively related to social media use online and incremental views about sexuality. In the case of men, the most significant predictor of HAL was the perceived gender-transcendent social roles and HAG - perceived gender-linked social roles. For women, perceived gender-linked social roles were the most significant predictor of both HAL and HAG. Results are discussed regarding their use for interventions aimed at reducing homophobia among heterosexual individuals.
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Hong D, Tang C, Barnhart WR, Cui S, He J. Testing the associations between internalized cisgenderism, self-objectification, body shame, and mental health correlates in the framework of the pantheoretical model of dehumanization: A study in Chinese transgender adults. Body Image 2023; 46:62-72. [PMID: 37244012 DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
As an integrated framework informed by the Minority Stress Model and Objectification Theory, the Pantheoretical Model of Dehumanization was proposed to better understand mental health outcomes in transgender individuals. With a sample of 200 Chinese transgender adults, the present study tested the associations and potential mechanisms between internalized cisgenderism, self-objectification, body shame, and mental health correlates in the framework of the Pantheoretical Model of Dehumanization. Correlation and regression analyses were used. Results showed that internalized cisgenderism was positively related to body shame, psychological distress, disordered eating, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Body shame showed significant indirect effects in the association between internalized cisgenderism and suicide attempts, and in the associations between internalized cisgenderism and psychological distress, disordered eating, and NSSI. In addition, body shame had significant indirect effects in the associations between body surveillance and disordered eating, NSSI, and suicide attempts, and in the association between body surveillance and psychological distress. As the first study testing the associations of core variables in the Pantheoretical Model of Dehumanization in a Chinese transgender sample, the findings largely supported the model in describing meaningful variance in Chinese transgender adults' psychological distress, disordered eating, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinan Hong
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chanyuan Tang
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wesley R Barnhart
- Department of Psychology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH, USA
| | - Shuqi Cui
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jinbo He
- School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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3
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Yan W, Huang C, Li C. Family and Relationship Quality among Young Adults with Different Sexual Orientations in Urban China: The Mediating Effects of Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2023; 60:689-703. [PMID: 36125856 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2022.2117772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
This study explored the ambivalent effects of family on the close relationship quality of Chinese young adults. From a national estimate of the urban population across mainland China, 5,089 participants aged 20-39 were recruited for this study. A three-dimensional conceptualization was applied to identify three groups with different sexual orientations in this study. Group A comprised participants who identified as sexual minority people; Group B comprised participants who identified as heterosexuals but were not exclusively attracted to one sex and/or individuals who had had same-sex sexual experiences; Group C comprised participants who identified as heterosexuals. Groups A and B reported lower close relationship satisfaction and psychological well-being than Group C. Life satisfaction and self-esteem partially mediated the association between family and close relationship satisfaction for all groups. However, this relationship was weaker for Group B, and closeness to family benefitted Group B's life satisfaction to a lesser extent, indicating that the nuanced relationship with family influenced the sexual minority people with heterosexual identities. We recommend future directions and practices in local research and policy-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Yan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University
| | - Chengshi Huang
- School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University
| | - Chengyan Li
- Department of Human Resource Management, Shanghai Normal University
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Tie B, Tang C, Ren Y, Cui S, He J. Internalized Homophobia, Body Dissatisfaction, Psychological Distress, and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury Among Young Sexual Minority Men in China. LGBT Health 2022; 9:555-563. [PMID: 35708638 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2022.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Sexual minority men (SMM) have been shown to be at high risk of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Internalized homophobia, body dissatisfaction, and psychological distress have been found to be related to NSSI among SMM, but few studies have focused on the mechanisms underlying these associations. Thus, the current study was conducted to examine the association between internalized homophobia and NSSI, and whether body dissatisfaction and psychological distress mediate this relationship among young SMM in China. Methods: In total, 264 young SMM (mean age, 22.00 ± 2.86 years) in Henan Province, China, participated in the study. A set of questionnaires were used to assess participants' internalized homophobia, body fat dissatisfaction, muscularity dissatisfaction, psychological distress, and NSSI. Correlation and mediation analyses were used to examine the data. Results: Internalized homophobia correlated positively with NSSI (r = 0.24, p < 0.001) among young SMM in China. This relationship was partly mediated by body fat dissatisfaction, muscularity dissatisfaction, and psychological distress. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that internalized homophobia is a risk factor for NSSI among young SMM in China, and that body fat and muscle dissatisfaction and psychological distress underlie the association between internalized homophobia and NSSI. In developing interventions targeting NSSI among SMM, the findings of the current study should be considered to improve intervention outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijie Tie
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chanyuan Tang
- Department of Applied Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yaoxiang Ren
- Department of Applied Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuqi Cui
- Department of Applied Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinbo He
- Department of Applied Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
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Huang YT, Leung VWY, Craig SL, Chui CHK. Cultural consideration for cognitive-behavioural therapy for sexual minority young people in Chinese societies: Perspectives from practitioners and target users. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e2277-e2286. [PMID: 34845775 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although cognitive-behavioural therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes for sexual minority young people (SMYP), existing interventions are primarily designed and evaluated in Western contexts, and their acceptability and responsiveness to culturally relevant issues in the Chinese contexts is uncertain. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring how a manualised community-based cognitive-behavioural intervention (AFFIRM) could be culturally reconsidered for SMYP in Taiwan and Hong Kong and suggest recommendations for future adaptation. Following an empirical, community-based participatory approach, qualitative data were collected between August and September 2018 through five focus groups with 15 SMYP and 18 frontline practitioners in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Thematic analysis revealed that at the surface structural level, translation and examples, and promotion strategies can be fine-tuned to better fit the Chinese context. On the deep structural level, self-differentiation and a pragmatic plan to come out to parents were identified as two concerns of cultural importance for Chinese SMYP. This study exemplifies an empirical, collaborative approach to identifying areas of cultural adaptation for mental health intervention for SMYP in the Chinese cultural milieu. The rationale and strategy for adapting existing intervention protocols to accommodate divergent cultural values are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Te Huang
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Vivian W Y Leung
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shelley L Craig
- Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Cheryl H K Chui
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Gómez F, Cumsille P, Barrientos J. Mental Health and Life Satisfaction on Chilean Gay Men and Lesbian Women: The Role of Perceived Sexual Stigma, Internalized Homophobia, and Community Connectedness. JOURNAL OF HOMOSEXUALITY 2022; 69:1777-1799. [PMID: 34080955 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2021.1923278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The Minority Stress Model has proposed that connectedness to a specific minority community may be a protective factor for stigmatized groups. This study evaluated the mediational role of connectedness with the gay men's and lesbian women's community on the relationship between two minority stressors (internalized homophobia and perceived sexual stigma) with anxiety-depressive symptomatology and life satisfaction. The sample consisted of 467 Chilean self-identified as gay men (57%) and lesbian women (43%). Results revealed that the two minority stressors were associated with anxiety-depressive symptomatology, but only internalized homophobia was associated with life satisfaction. The mediation hypothesis was partially supported by the relationship between internalized homophobia and life satisfaction. Unexpectedly, we found a negative association between connectedness with the gay men's and lesbian women's community and life satisfaction. This finding introduces a view that contrasts with the literature, which proposes that connectedness with the specific community would be a protective factor against sexual stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Gómez
- Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Patricio Cumsille
- Escuela de Psicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jaime Barrientos
- Facultad de Psicología, Universidad Alberto Hurtado, Santiago, Chile
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Zhou J, Wang Y. Does coming out matter? A serial mediation model from outness to reduced psychological distress among Chinese gay men. ASIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/ajsp.12528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jianan Zhou
- Faculty of Psychology Second Military Medical University Shanghai China
| | - Yunxia Wang
- Faculty of Psychology Second Military Medical University Shanghai China
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Out of the Closet, Not Yet Out of the House: Gay Men's Experiences of Homonegativity and Internalized Homonegativity. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9111479. [PMID: 34828524 PMCID: PMC8620701 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9111479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This paper explores how Australian gay men experience gender and sexuality in relation to heteronormative gender norms, specifically masculinity. A sample of 32 gay men 22-72 years of age participated in an online interview, using a videoconferencing software, on masculinity and homosexuality. Thematic analyses revealed that gay men experience gender and sexuality-related strain across all levels of their socioecological environment through social regulation, homophobic discrimination/harassment, and anti-effeminacy prejudice. The gay men expressed feelings of self-loathing, shame, internalized homonegativity, and isolation as a result. In examining interactions at each level of the socioecological environment, future research and practice may gain understanding in the social phenomena and how to ameliorate such strain.
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The influence of internalized heterosexism on life satisfaction: comparing sexual minority women in Belgium and Turkey. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-021-02068-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
AbstractTo date, the majority of research studying lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) health has been conducted in Westernized, predominantly individualistic countries. Building on minority stress theory and models of LGBTQ health, we explored how sexual orientation and nationality moderated the association between internalized heterosexism and life satisfaction for lesbian and bisexual (LB) women living in two countries (Turkey and Belgium) with contrasting social contexts. The results of two-way MANOVA, in a sample of 339 Turkish and 220 Belgian LB women, revealed main effects but no interaction effects. LB women in Belgium reported less internalized heterosexism and more life satisfaction than LB women in Turkey. The results of moderation analyses indicated no moderation effect, however internalized heterosexism and country emerged as the best predictors of life satisfaction. Findings were interpreted with a focus on how culture-specific aspects contribute to life satisfaction among LB women. Our findings suggest mental health professionals working with LB women need to tailor therapeutic interventions to reflect the social context connected to their patients’ nationality, in order to effectively address internalized heterosexism, improve life satisfaction, and promote self- and social advocacy. Cultural values, such as adherence to collectivistic or individualistic norms, should be included as variables in future research examining determinants of LGBTQ health.
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Abstract
Homophobia is still a scourge in the modern era. Despite a greater acceptance of sexual variations and same-sex marriage in many countries, homophobia is widely sustained by religious, political and cultural values and beliefs at individual and social level. Most of homophobic attitudes are based on the principle of heteronormativity according to which heterosexuality is the standard for legitimating social and sexual relationships and homosexuality is considered as an abnormal variant. Homophobia may be also recognised at institutional level (state-sponsored homophobia, social homophobia) and supported by laws or religious beliefs. Moreover, internalised homophobia (IH) is defined as the inward direction of societal homophobic behaviours at individual level and refers to the subjective psychological impact of these negative attitudes. In fact, IH is significantly associated with a high prevalence of internalising mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress/trauma-related disorders, etc. We believe that a set of immediate actions are needed in order to contrast homophobia and its impact on mental health, in particular political initiatives, educational trainings and scientific research should be promoted with a specific focus on mental health needs of people target of homophobia.
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Meyers K, Wu Y, Shin KY, Hou J, Hu Q, Duan J, Li Y, He X. Salient Constructs for the Development of Shared Decision-Making Tools for HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Uptake and Regimen Choice: Behaviors, Behavioral Skills, and Beliefs. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2021; 35:195-203. [PMID: 34037427 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2021.0066] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The availability of multiple pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens creates a preference-sensitive choice for individuals weighing alternative HIV prevention strategies. Investigating factors that are associated with PrEP uptake and regimen choice are key to developing tools to support that decision. A cross-sectional survey was offered to 536 participants in a PrEP demonstration project for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men across 3 cities in China, of which 412 completed surveys and were included in the analysis. We conducted bivariable analyses followed by multi-variable logistic regressions to examine factors associated with overall PrEP uptake and PrEP regimen choice. Among the 412 participants, 36.9% were daily PrEP users, 28.4% were event-driven users, and 34.7% were non-PrEP users. Higher levels of education, lower PrEP use stigma, and higher perceived benefits of PrEP were associated with greater PrEP uptake. More frequent sex, higher PrEP adherence self-efficacy, higher endorsement of the belief in elevated efficacy of daily over on-demand PrEP, and lower endorsement of a desire for a PrEP method that is only taken when needed led to greater odds of choosing the daily PrEP regimen. As multiple HIV prevention modalities become available, there is a greater need for a shared decision-making approach to support this preference-sensitive choice of HIV prevention method. Our findings suggest salient constructs to inform the development of shared decision-making tools to support regimen choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrine Meyers
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Yumeng Wu
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Kee-Young Shin
- Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, Department of Biostatistics, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jianhua Hou
- Center for Infectious Diseases, Beijing Youan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghai Hu
- NHC Key Laboratory of AIDS Immunology (China Medical University), Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | | | - Yao Li
- Division of Infectious Disease, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoqing He
- Division of Infectious Disease, Chongqing Public Health Medical Center, Chongqing, China
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Chan RCH, Huang YT. A Minority Stress Response Model of Health Behaviors in Gay and Bisexual Men: Results from a Taiwanese Sample. LGBT Health 2021; 8:209-221. [PMID: 33625267 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2020.0194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Health disparities among sexual minority men remain and continue to demand novel interventions. Other than risk reduction, a promising approach is to identify pathways to health-promoting behaviors. In this study, depressive symptoms, internalized homophobia, and sense of community connectedness were hypothesized to result from the experience of harassment and rejection, and in turn either promote or inhibit an individual's tendency toward health-promoting behaviors. We accounted for subgroup differences by examining the hypothesized model in gay and bisexual men separately. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey study. One thousand three hundred eighty-one gay (81.5%) and bisexual (18.5%) Taiwanese men 18-49 years of age (mean = 26.56, standard deviation = 6) were recruited through a social media advertisement and completed an online survey. Structural equation modeling was employed to simultaneously examine multiple hypothesized paths. Results: Harassment and rejection were associated with greater depressive symptoms, internalized homophobia, and sense of community connectedness, which in turn yielded direct or indirect associations with health-promoting behavior among gay men. For bisexual men, depressive symptoms remained an important mechanism linking harassment and rejection and health-promoting behavior, whereas the roles of internalized homophobia and sense of community connectedness appeared less obvious. Conclusion: These findings cast new light on the behavioral implications of minority stress and elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms. The study suggests that more effort should be invested to understand and promote the drivers of health-promoting behavior to reduce health disparities in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randolph Chun Ho Chan
- Department of Special Education and Counseling, The Education University of Hong Kong, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
| | - Yu-Te Huang
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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Breen AB, Estrellado JE, Nakamura N, Felipe LCS. Asian LGBTQ+ Sexual Health: an Overview of the Literature from the Past 5 Years. CURRENT SEXUAL HEALTH REPORTS 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11930-020-00298-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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