Background and Purpose: To report on the psychometric properties of the Acute Coronary Syndrome Response Index in adults without heart disease. Methods: Participants were enrolled online, using social media platforms and an email listserv. The sample of 1,040 was randomly split into two sub-samples for exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: Exploratory factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution for the knowledge subscale, a one-factor solution for the attitudes subscale, and a two-factor solution for the belief subscale. Subsequent confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated an excellent fit for the attitudes and beliefs subscales and an acceptable fit for the knowledge subscale. Conclusions: The Acute Coronary Syndrome Response Index can be used with individuals without diagnosed heart disease. However, researchers may wish to omit the incorrect items in the original version of this instrument.

Background and Purpose: We evaluated the construct validity of the Genetics and Genomics Nursing Practice Survey by investigating the factoral structure, while attempting to account for varied response structures of the items. Methods: Exploratory factor analyses provided insights into item loadings. Confirmatory factor analyses and a version of common methods bias analyses evaluated construct validity while considering the instrument’s structural limitations. Structural equation models provided information regarding model fit. Results: The 7-factor model fit these data slightly better (AIC ≈ 169,405; RMSEA = .052) than did the 5-factor model (AIC ≈ 183,599; RMSEA = .063). Neither the CFI or TLI met commonly-accepted thresholds for adequate model fits. Conclusion: The response format of the GGNPS created challenges in evaluating the instrument for construct validity. Nonetheless, these results support the theory-based construct validity of the GGNPS.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) in undergraduate nursing students. Method: An exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess the reliability and construct validity of the MSLQ, using principal axis factoring (PAF) and varimax rotation on the 81-items. Results: 300 Students completed the MSLQ. The MSLQ with 81-items produced an 8-factor solution, eigenvalues greater than 1.0, with only three of the original MSLQ factors retained. Cronbach alpha ranged from .69 to .89; parallel analysis results ranged from 2.22 to 1.80 across the factors. Conclusion: The difference in the empiric fit between the data and the theoretical model suggests the need for instrument revisions, at least for this learner population.

Background and Purpose: The negative attitude towards vaccines for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has motivated the adaptation of instruments for this specific purpose. However, details of the reliability and validity of these scales are unknown. The study aimed to evaluate some indicators of the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccines Scale. Methods: A validation study was carried out with 1,136 students of emerging age (18 and 29 years) from a Colombian university; 65.5% were female. Cronbach’s alpha and McDonald’s omega were calculated for reliability, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes for validity. Additionally, the gender differential item functioning (DIF) was estimated with Kendall’s tau b. Results: The Spanish version of Attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccines Scale showed high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha of .94 and McDonald’s omega of .95), a one-dimensional structure with acceptable goodness-of-fit indicators (CFI = .94, TLI = .91, and SRMR = .04), and non-gender DIF (Kendall’s tau b between .02 and .06). Conclusions: The Spanish version of the Attitude towards COVID-19 Vaccines Scale presents some appropriate reliability and validity indicators among university emerging adults. These findings should be explored in samples with other characteristics.

Background and Purpose: Thresholds are used by nurses in social emotional screening. A purpose of this study is to examine fluctuation of the threshold pattern in a widely-used instrument, Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Social Emotional, Second Edition (ASQ:SE-2). Methods: Threshold settings are investigated against an irreversible pattern of child growth from research literature. Empirical studies are conducted on an issue of 6,039 missing cases in the ASQ:SE-2 normative sample that undermines data quality for the cutoff score configuration. Results: A Bayesian estimate has been suggested to improve the threshold at age 3 with an asymptotically unbiased cutoff score. Given the coverage of ASQ:SE-2 for children from less than 6 months to 72 months for mental health referrals, this study is particularly relevant to the practice of social emotional screening performed by pediatric nurses, school nurses, and nurse practitioners at mental health hospitals. Conclusion: To address the violation of Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory in the ASQ:SE-2 threshold settings, consistent statistical imputations are needed to maintain monotonicity of the cutoff score patterns that are aligned with the irreversible trend of child growth, as well as the well-established national standards for missing data examination.

Background: Academic social bullying in nursing and health professions schools is an understudied area yet emerging research shows it is prevalent. Purpose: This qualitative study derived from two larger quantitative studies targeting the development and validation of an instrument measuring academic social bullying and whose purpose was to understand the phenomenon in greater depth from narrative comments. Methods: Survey design with open ended questions was utilized to obtain content and construct validation along with reliability data for a de-novo instrument measuring academic social bullying. Over 250 nurse academics and 417 health sciences educators in baccalaureate and higher degree programs in the United States responded. This qualitative study focused on analysis of narrative comments (N = 91 nurse respondents and N = 89 health sciences faculty respondents, respectively) provided in response to open ended questions. Results: Five qualitative themes emerged from narrative content analysis. Qualitative themes approximated the construct-validated factors in the quantitative studies but also expanded on them. The themes included: Bullying experiences, faculty issues, issues of academia, student bullying of faculty, and general comments about bullying. Conclusion: Academic social bullying is a significant phenomenon for nursing and health sciences educators affecting faculty well-being. This study’s qualitative findings can help enrich understanding of the problem and augment future quantitative and qualitative studies with the hope of developing targeted interventions.

Background: Cardiac risk perception in patients who had a heart event is unknown. Purpose: Evaluate the validity and reliability of the Post Event-Cardiovascular Risk Perception Survey (PE-CRPS). Methods: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study with a convenient sample of 251 patients who experienced a heart event. Descriptive and exploratory factor analyses was used to analyze the data. Results: Nine of ten items with an oblique (direct oblimin) rotation resulted in two factors extracted, which explained 54% of the variance. The two factors represented perception of medical history variable and a stress/family history variable. Cronbach’s α reliability analyses indicated both factors were reliable; strongly related with a correlation of .69 and .81. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk perception explained by two factors.

Background and Purpose: The Nurses Professional Values Scale-3 (NPVS-3) is an instrument designed to measure nurses professional values. This study aimed to assess the cultural reliability and validity of the NPVS-3 for use in Brazil. Methods: Translation followed the steps: translation, back-translation, Internal consistency was verified using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and construct validity, by confirmatory factor analysis for the NPVS-3 three-domain model. Results: NPVS-3 applied to 169 nursing students. The culturally and semantically equivalent to the original English version was appropriate. The internal consistency values of each factor represented by Cronbach’s alpha were adequate: Care (0.790), Activism (0.898), and Professionalism (0.763). Conclusion: The analyses showed that the Brazilian version of NPVS-3 has high validity and reliability, being effective in assessing professional nursing values for Brazil.

Background and Purpose: Competent nurse managers (NM) are essential to create safe and healthy work environments and support frontline nurses. Measuring NM competence with a valid and reliable instrument is critical in research. We assessed the psychometric properties of the Nurse Manager Competency Instrument for Research (NMCIR). Methods: Item analysis, internal consistency analysis, and confirmatory factor analysis were performed with a sample of 594 NMs. Results: The NMCIR showed high internal consistency. The 26 items were loaded on ten factors with a good overall fit, supporting the hypothesized factor structure. However, the findings showed poor discriminant validity. Conclusion: The NMCIR demonstrates sound psychometric properties for use in studies of NM competence. Further evaluation of the NMCIR is recommended to improve discriminant validity.

Background and Purpose: To adapt, validate and assess the psychometric properties of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS-19 items), Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS-18 items) and Team Skills Scale (TSS-17 items) in 484 undergraduate students. Methods: Transcultural adaptation of the scales was performed. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factor analysis, and convergent and discriminant validity were determined. Results: The instruments showed good internal consistency and test-retest reliability for total score. However, factor analyses revealed differences in the subscales compared to the original validations. The RIPLS detected more differences, discriminating gender, race, course semester and course enrolled. The TSS and IEPS detected differences in age and course enrolled. Conclusions: These scales appear to have satisfactory psychometric properties and could be used in both research and education. The subscales, however, should be interpreted with caution.

Background: Nurses’ knowledge, skills and competencies are paramount for their preparedness to respond to emergency situations. This paper aims to test the psychometric properties and to determine the factor structure of the Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ) among nurses in Malaysia. Methods: There were 418 nurses in Sabah, Malaysia participated in this study. Besides, EPIQ, The Nurse Assessment of Readiness scale and the self-regulation scale were used to the validity of EPIQ. Results: The study revealed that the nine dimensions of EPIQ demonstrated very good reliability and construct validity. All the items showed good intercorrelation. The result of Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 3-factor solution model of EPIQ. The first factor was recategorized into four sub-factor due to the large number of the items loaded in this factor. Conclusions: The findings revealed that the EPIQ has strong psychometric properties. This scale can be used to measure nurses’ preparedness in managing the emergency event in Malaysia.

Background & Purpose: This study aims to consolidate expert views and validated 371 items for developing spiritual intelligence instrument for Muslim nurses guided by the Spiritual Intelligence Model for Human Excellence (SIMHE). Methods: A Fuzzy Delphi Method (FDM) was used to validate these items and analyzed with Triangular Fuzzy Numbers and Defuzzification process. Views from 20 experts from three different backgrounds, namely, theology/Sufism, psychology and Islamic counseling, and evaluation and measurement, were also included in the validation process. Results: All items fulfilled the prerequisite of a threshold level of (d) ≤ 0.2, which obtained more than 75% of expert consensus and α-cut value ≥ of 0.5. Conclusion: The FDM analysis results indicated that all items could further validate the instrument using Rasch measurement analysis.

Background and Purpose: Adapting cross-culturally the Hospital Ethical Climate Survey to Brazilian nurses. Methods: A methodological study comprising translation, back translation, multidisciplinary committee, expert panel, pilot test and validation of the instrument. The validation was carried out with 269 nurses of a university hospital in the South of Brazil. Results: In the validation step, the quadratic weighted Kappa test–retest and the correlation coefficient ranged from 0.15 to 0.74. All factor loadings were higher than 0.4, ranging from 0.445 to 0.859. The Portuguese version of the instrument had a 0.93 Cronbach’s alpha and the confirmatory analysis demonstrated the model’s suitability with five factors and 26 items validated. Conclusions: The version of the instrument adapted to Brazilian Portuguese was considered valid and reliable in this sample.

Health studies using biospecimens have an underrepresentation of sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) participants, making it difficult to use data to advance SGM health knowledge. This study examined: 1) the willingness of SGM adults to provide research biospecimens, 2) if SGM groups differ in their willingness, 3) the relationship of demographic characteristics with willingness, and 4) the ideas/concerns of SGM adults toward providing research biospecimens. Data collected in 2018–2019 from The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality Study were analyzed. Regressions examined willingness to provide biospecimens (blood, buccal swab, hair, saliva, and urine) across SGM groups (cisgender sexual minority [SM] men, cisgender SM women, gender-expansive, transfeminine, and transmasculine adults; N = 4,982) and the relationship of demographics with a willingness to provide each biospecimen type. A thematic analysis of an open-ended item elucidated SGM adults’ (N = 776) perspective toward providing biospecimens. Most SGM adults were willing to provide biospecimens. Cisgender SM women were less willing to provide some types (blood 54% and urine 63%) than the other groups. Cisgender SM men were most willing to provide all types. Older age, identifying as pansexual, and income >$50,000/year were associated with increased odds of providing biospecimen(s). Gender identity was a significant predictor for all biospecimen types. A gender identity other than cisgender man was associated with 1.6–2.4× lower odds of providing biospecimen(s). Participants expressed concerns about data confidentiality and privacy, data access and misuse, research purposes, and inadvertent disclosure of SGM status. SGM adults’ concerns about donating biospecimens can be used to create an affirming and inclusive methodology.

Access to emergency food is critical for the survival and health of vulnerable populations, but its importance is not understood in the context of food deserts. Using a cross-sectional survey based on Albany and Troy, New York, we compared the two food desert models, one based on paid (e.g., grocery stores) and the other based on free food options (e.g., emergency food sites such as pantries and soup kitchens). Structural equation modeling was conducted to identify pathways among people’s access to food sites, food consumption patterns, food insecurity, and health conditions. Access to grocery stores did not show significant links to food insecurity or health conditions, whereas access to emergency food, especially time taken to such food outlets, was found to be a significant factor for increased consumption of fresh food. Among the diet-related variables, food insecurity showed the strongest link to negative health outcomes. Access to free or low-cost options needs to be taken into consideration when designing research and practice concerning food deserts, food insecurity, and subsequent health effects.

There has been much controversy surrounding critical race theory (CRT) and the discussion of race and racism in education. The national emergence of racial injustices such as state-sanctioned violence, police killings of people of color, schools’ pipeline to prison, and COVID-19 racial disparities, in addition to racial justice movements such as #BlackLivesMatter, #SayHerName, and #BlackAndMissing has ignited the need for the social work profession to bring awareness to the pervasiveness of race and to fully acknowledge the role of white supremacy on education, social systems, institutions, legal systems, and culture. This article highlights the need for social work education to develop anti-racist education and practice and increase awareness of white supremacy in the United States. In addition, this article suggests the value of infusing CRT as an anti-racist pedagogy and tool to teach race, actively oppose racism, and organize social change.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) may significantly impact treatment outcomes for depression in primary care. An analysis of patients in collaborative care was conducted to explore the association between SDOH and depression baseline scores and treatment outcomes as assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9). Although individuals’ baseline PHQ9 scores did not differ by SDOH flag, there was a direct effect of SDOH on PHQ9 reduction rates. SDOH did not significantly moderate the association between collaborative care treatment and depression outcomes. Individuals flagged with SDOH showed higher depression scores at the end of the treatment despite a higher clinical dosage. Routine screening for SDOH in collaborative care and primary care should be further explored.

Transition milestones (e.g., telling family members that one is transgender and beginning hormone treatments) are specific transition-related events in transgender persons’ lives that demarcate what their life circumstances were before versus after the milestone was reached. This article examines the relationship between transition milestones and psychological distress in a large sample of transgender adults. Data from the 2015 U.S. National Transgender Survey were used to examine 11 specific transition milestones in a sample of 27,715 transgender Americans aged 18 or older. A majority (64.6%) of respondents reported that psychological distress had affected them “some” or “a lot.” Along with nine of the demographic measures and 13 of the support/discrimination measures, nine of the 11 transition milestones under study were found to be related to psychological distress levels. Reaching specific transition milestones plays an important role in many transgender adults’ lives and may be highly beneficial in helping them to reduce psychological distress.

Latine communities comprise 18% of the U.S. population but account for 27% of all new HIV infections in 2019. Arguably, a key ingredient to reducing HIV infection rate is knowing one’s status. A precursor to knowing is actually getting tested for HIV. The more information one has concerning how social determinants serve as conduits and barriers to getting testing, the more beneficial to all communities, especially marginalized ones. To help fill this knowledge gap, this article utilizes critical race theory and intersectionality as theoretical frameworks, employs secondary analysis of the Latine sample within the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as hierarchical logistical regression modeling to examine the relative impact of health and healthcare, substance use, and key demographics on whether or not a respondent gets tested for HIV. Furthermore, to examine gender differences across these relationships for Latine adults, analyses are performed first for both genders and then separately for male and female respondents.

Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) are at increased risk of adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) provide healthcare to underserved and vulnerable populations to address socioeconomic health disparities. This study aims to explore whether SGM adult patients at a large, multisite FQHC in Connecticut, USA, are more likely than heterosexual, cisgender (cis) patients to have indications or diagnoses of depression, suicidal thoughts, and/or substance use disorders (SUDs) in their medical charts. We used retrospective data from the electronic health records of FQHC patients with a medical visit between April 2016 and June 2019 who had sexual orientation and gender identity documented in their chart. In addition to demographic variables, the extracted data included patients’ most recent Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and diagnostic codes for depression, suicidal thoughts, and SUDs. We conducted hierarchical logistic regressions and generalized linear and latent mixed models to answer our research questions. In comparison to heterosexual and cis patients, SGM patients had significantly higher odds of reporting severe depression, any depression, and/or suicidal thoughts. Compared to heterosexual women, sexual minority women were more likely to have an SUD in their medical chart. Bisexual men had higher odds of cannabis use disorder compared to heterosexual men. Compared to cis women, transgender women had higher odds of alcohol and opioid use disorders and having one or more SUDs. This study provides evidence of mental health and substance use disparities experienced by SGM patients at FQHCs.

Multiple studies have described the relationship between discrimination and health outcomes among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). However, little attention has been paid to prejudiced events in workplace environments. Rooted in a social determinant of health framework, we sought to examine associations between sexuality-based workplace discrimination (SBWD) and health outcomes in an online survey of Canadian GBMSM (N = 7,872). A minority (6.5%) of GBMSM reported past-year SBWD, which was more common among those identified as queer, Latino, Aboriginal, single, or with annual income less than CAD $30,000. GBMSM partnered with a man or woman reported less SBWD than single men. After adjusting for sociodemographics, SBWD was positively associated with having discussed depression and anxiety with a healthcare provider, suicidality, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and intimate partner violence (IPV). More GBMSM who reported SBWD rated their health as poor, as compared with those who did not report SBWD. This is the first study to examine SBWD as a social determinant of health among Canadian GBMSM. Findings document that despite the social and legal gains of the last three decades, about 1 in 15 GBMSM report recent workplace discrimination due to their sexuality, which threatens their health. Work-based policies and interventions are urgently needed to provide safer workplace environments for sexual minorities.

The Bidimensional Acculturation Scale (BAS) is one of the most widely used acculturation scales in public health research, assessing two cultural dimensions of acculturation–Hispanic (eg, how often participants read, speak, and think in Spanish) and non-Hispanic domains (eg, how often participants read, speak, and think in English). The BAS has been shown to have acceptable reliability, but the factor structure of the BAS remains untested since its development in 1996 with a primarily Spanish-speaking sample (74%). Furthermore, the BAS has not been examined with a sample of Latinx sexual minorities, for whom the acculturation process may differ based on their sexual orientation. The current study examined the psychometric properties of the BAS with a sample of 357 Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM) recruited via Amazon Mechanical Turk, the majority of whom identified as cisgender gay and bisexual men. Our findings confirmed that the factor structure of the BAS and the internal consistency of each factor were high. Regarding validity, the non-Hispanic domain was positively correlated with increased generational status and English language proficiency. Additionally, the non-Hispanic domain significantly predicted lower scores of lifetime experiences of intersectional forms of discrimination and the Hispanic domain significantly predicted higher scores of lifetime experiences of intersectional forms of discrimination. These findings further support the psychometric properties of the BAS with robust validity in a sample of LSMM.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s guidelines for syphilis screening in nonpregnant adults and adolescents recommend increased screening intervals for populations at elevated risks, such as sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) and persons living with human immunodeficiency virus. However, few investigations have examined compliance with these guidelines in clinical practice, and none have examined the role that social and cognitive factors at the provider level play in adhering to these practice guidelines. To this end, a systematic review of the syphilis screening literature and the literature documenting the application of behavioral theory to assess healthcare professionals’ clinical behavior was used to identify opportunities for synthesis between these two research areas. Several databases were searched for review articles compiling original studies of provider interventions to increase syphilis screening and studies that apply behavioral theory to healthcare provider behavior and behavioral intentions. Reviews were included if published in English and included detailed descriptions of the original articles. Five review articles met the inclusion criteria: three focused on applying of behavioral theory to clinician behavior, and two focused on syphilis screening. From these reviews, 82 original articles were extracted: 70 from the theoretical literature and 12 from the syphilis screening literature. Reviewing both the theoretical literature and the syphilis screening literature provides insight into how these two areas of research may be synthesized to enhance provider-level interventions that result in increased adherence to screening guidelines.

This study aimed to assess potential disparities in pandemic-related stress associated with gender identity, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation among college students. We used the 2021 Spring American College Health Association (ACHA)-National College Health Assessment (NCHA) data collected at one large, southeastern university in March of 2021. The sample (n = 659) included 18–32 year-old students who self-identified as cisgender (cis) men, cis women, and transgender/gender nonbinary (TGNB). The majority of students reported being extremely or very concerned with several pandemic-related outcomes, eg, uncertainty regarding the future. In addition, 47% of students reported witnessing racial/ethnic discrimination as a result of the pandemic, and 43% of students reported increased stress due to the pandemic. For the majority of measures, the negative impact of the pandemic was significantly higher among cis women and/or TGNB students relative to cis men, racial/ethnic minorities relative to non-Hispanic (NH) white students, and sexual minorities relative to heterosexual students. Among diverse racial/ethnic groups, experiencing racial/ethnic discrimination as a result of the pandemic was most commonly reported by NH Asian/Asian American (AAA; 18%) and NH black/African American (BAA; 14%) students. Our findings reinforce the importance of needs assessment and future monitoring of mental health and well-being among college students, especially minority students, as they are more likely to be severely impacted by the pandemic. In addition, the study revealed that substantial numbers of students witnessed discrimination against racial/ethnic minorities as a result of the pandemic, suggesting that there is a need for the implementation of additional programs to promote equity, equality, and inclusion among all individuals.

In this study, we examined how mental health inequities by gender and sexual identity changed from before the COVID-19 pandemic to during the early phase of the pandemic. Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults and non-SGM adults were recruited through social media to complete online questionnaires. Results indicate a worsening change in depression from before the pandemic to during the early phase of the pandemic that was significantly greater for gender minorities compared to cisgender women. Anxiety and loneliness scores did not change differentially for gender minorities (vs cis women) or sexual minorities (vs heterosexuals). Overall, COVID-19 had a greater negative impact on depression for gender minorities compared with cisgender women.

Transgender women are disproportionately incarcerated across the United States, placing a burden of adverse health outcomes on this marginalized population. This exploratory study was designed to document the experiences of transgender women experiencing the cycle of incarceration; explore the degree to which the lack of targeted re-entry services contributes to this cycle of incarceration; and identify structural and/or community-level points for advocacy, support, and programming. We use qualitative interviews and geospatial mapping to describe the lack of access to resources, as well as challenges regarding finding housing, accessing healthcare, and meeting probation and parole requirements. In 2017, we interviewed six transgender women, all of whom are previously incarcerated adults residing in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Additionally, we mapped mental health providers and transinclusive resources using geographic information system software to explore barriers related to transportation and access. Results indicate that access to healthcare, housing, transportation, and transinclusive community support is the most significant barrier to successful re-entry. These analyses suggest that transgender women residing outside the central downtown area of Pittsburgh have increased difficulty regarding access to probation and parole offices, trans-inclusive healthcare, and LGBTQIA+ community spaces. These preliminary data suggest that there are missed opportunities within re-entry services to change the social and health trajectories of transgender women who are returning to their communities from jail or prison. Future multilevel interventions should incorporate healthcare, transinclusive community support, stable housing, and the alleviation of transportation barriers. Colocation of re-entry services may increase access, support, and treatment for transgender women re-entering the community.

Sexual minority men report higher suicidal ideation compared to heterosexual men. As a consequence of the high levels of stigma in Nigeria and most of sub-Saharan Africa, few studies have investigated psychosocial risk factors for suicidal ideation in these settings. The present study aimed to fill this research gap by identifying factors associated with suicidal ideation among Nigerian sexual minority men. Eighty-one sexual minority men were assessed for suicidal ideation, sociodemographic and family background, sexuality-related, minority stress, and psychosocial factors. Childhood adversity, minority-stress factors, and all three psychosocial (intimate partner violence, alcohol use problems and depressive symptoms) variables were significantly associated with increased suicidal ideation (ΔR² = 11%, 15% and 20% respectively). Our findings highlight the importance of known risk factors for suicidal ideation as well as factors specific to sexual minority men. Recognising these factors may help in identifying young sexual minority men who may require further support in high-stigma settings such as Nigeria.

Relative exclusion of sexual minorities (SM) from sports participation (SP) has been noted in cross-sectional data across cohorts of youth and adults. The relative lack of physical activity likely contributes to health disparities. Our aim was to determine associations between adolescent SP and adulthood team and individual SP among those ever identifying as SM (Ever SM). A complete case analysis was conducted with nationally representative data (n = 8,791) from the Add Health study across three timepoints (Waves I, III, and IV). In the full sample of Ever and Never SM, Ever SM were less likely to play team sports at Waves III and IV when adjusting for adolescent SP, race/ethnicity, age, and sex. SM status had no significant effect on individual SP. In a subpopulation analysis of Ever SM and adjusting for demographics, adolescent SP significantly predicted individual SP in adulthood (Wave III—OR: 1.53; CI: 1.04, 2.27; Wave IV—OR: 1.61; CI: 1.13, 2.30) but did not predict adulthood team SP at either adult wave (Wave III—OR: 1.40; CI: 0.94, 2.01; Wave IV—OR: 1.06; CI: 0.57, 2.00). These findings suggest disparities in team sports persistence by SM status, potentially contributing to reduced physical activity among SM throughout the lifespan. Targeted efforts to support the retention of SM athletes within team sports environments may contribute to overall well-being.

The extant data suggest that LGBT communities were disproportionately impacted by the economic ramifications of the pandemic and were more likely to report being uninsured throughout the first two years of the pandemic. Additionally, these groups are at heightened vulnerability for several health conditions that require insurance to manage or prevent. Thus, there is a need to assess changes in pandemic-era insurance coverage among these populations. This study uses data collected as part of the Together 5000 study, a U.S. national, internet-based cohort study of cisgender (cis) men, trans men, and trans women who have sex with men. We analyze insurance data across three different assessments between 2019 and 2021, exploring changes in insurance coverage and type. Among our sample, 6.4% lost their insurance in 2020 because of the pandemic. Insurance loss was associated with living in a state that had not expanded Medicaid, race/ethnicity, employment status, and income. Among those who lost their insurance in early 2020, most (59.2%) reported gaining insurance by 2021, with those living in nonexpanded states less likely to gain insurance. Finally, those who were uninsured prior to the pandemic were less likely to report gaining insurance by 2021 when compared with those uninsured as a result of the pandemic. This suggests that there are uninsured cis gay and bisexual men and transgender individuals (GBT) that continue to go unreached by policies to assuage uninsurance. Further policy intervention is needed to address uninsurance among LGBT individuals, which has important implications for addressing health disparities among these populations.

Although health inequities among Black same gender loving men (SGLM) are well documented (e.g., chronic psychological disorders, HIV, suicide), there are few accessible, culturally affirming, and community-led interventions designed to reduce these inequities. The present manuscript describes the process through which we developed iTHRIVE 365, a multicomponent health-promotion intervention designed by Black SGLM for Black SGLM. We utilized a community-based participatory research approach (CBPR) that included collaboration between THRIVE SS, a Black SGLM-run community-based organization, and a multisectoral team of public health, research, and digital design professionals to develop the intervention. A five-phase development process included four phases of focus groups and a technical pilot to assess community priorities and incorporate input on each feature of the intervention. Directed content analysis indicated that participants wanted a multicomponent and technology-mediated intervention that promotes health knowledge and motivation, Black SGLM social support, access to affirming healthcare, and housing and economic resources. iTHRIVE 365 combines multilevel and culturally affirming intervention features to combat the effects of oppression and ultimately promote Black SGLM’s biopsychosocial health.

Many LGBTQ+ people face significant physical and mental health, social, and economic disparities, disparities that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent qualitative and quantitative research has explored some of the specific ways that LGBTQ+ people have been developing and using resilience strategies during the pandemic, but little is currently known regarding specific pandemic-related stressors unique to LGBTQ+ individuals, social support networks and community resilience developed by LGBTQ+ individuals, and accessibility of both LGBTQ+-specific and general healthcare needs. The present study was conducted to help address these gaps in the current research literature. As part of a larger online survey on LGBTQ+ people and the impacts of COVID-19, participants (N = 220) were asked a series of open-ended questions about their general and identity-specific concerns, forms of coping, and forms of social support accessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the consensual qualitative research modified method (CQR-M), 31 subdomains grouped under seven main domains were revealed: (1) societal orientation; (2) personal worries; (3) personal maintenance and planning; (4) concerns for close others; (5) source of connection; (6) connection format; and (7) LGBTQ+ affirmative care. The findings in the present study expand research and health provider understanding of unique forms of distress, coping, social support, and community resilience experienced and engaged in by LGBTQ+ people during the COVID-19 pandemic. These qualitative findings can help inform more targeted interventions at individual, community, and public policy levels.