Engaging sexual minority adolescents in nationwide at-home HIV prevention research in the U.S.

Objectives: This study examined research-related privacy and confidentiality concerns among adolescent sexual minority males (ASMM) and provides lessons learned to inform recruitment and enrollment strategies for this population.

Methods: Participants were a 2017-2018 internet-based U.S.

A Web-Based Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Intervention (Thrive With Me) in a Community-Recruited Sample of Sexual Minority Men Living With HIV: Results of a Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Most new HIV infections are attributed to male-to-male sexual contact in the United States. However, only two-thirds of sexual minority men living with HIV achieve an undetectable viral load (UVL). We tested a web-based antiretroviral therapy adherence intervention called Thrive with Me (TWM) with core features that included medication self-monitoring and feedback, HIV and antiretroviral therapy information, and a peer-to-peer exchange.

Examining the impact of daily discrimination on alcohol use among racially diverse, trauma-exposed sexually minoritized adults: A pilot study.

Objective: Identity-based stress and trauma are key drivers of alcohol use-related health inequities among minoritized people. Research on intersectional experiences of identity-based stress and alcohol use among trauma-exposed minoritized people is scant. This pilot study used a 30-day diary design to examine the effect of identity-based discrimination exposure on alcohol use in a racially diverse sample of trauma-exposed sexual minoritized (SM) adults ( = 47; 63.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Among Adolescents and Youths Living With HIV: Evaluation of Electronic Health Record Findings and Implications.

Background: The HIV epidemic remains a major public health concern, particularly among youths living with HIV. While the availability of antiretroviral therapy has significantly improved the health outcomes of people living with HIV, there is growing evidence that youths living with HIV may be at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying mechanisms linking HIV and cardiovascular disease among youths living with HIV remain poorly understood.

Coping Strategies as a Moderator for the Association between Intimate Partner Violence and Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Transgender Women.

Evidence suggests that intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with negative mental health outcomes. There is currently limited research on the impact of IPV on the outcomes of mental health for transgender women. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between intimate partner violence, coping skills, depression, and anxiety in a sample of transgender women.

The Use of HIV Pre- and Postexposure Prophylaxis Among a Web-Based Sample of HIV-Negative and Unknown Status Cisgender and Transgender Sexual Minority Men: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: HIV disproportionately affects sexual minority men (SMM) in the United States.

Objective: We sought to determine past HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) use and current and prior pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among a web-based sample of cisgender and transgender men who have sex with men.

Methods: In 2019, HIV-negative and unknown status SMM (n=63,015) were recruited via geosocial networking apps, social media, and other web-based venues to participate in a brief eligibility screening survey.

Methods in HIV-Related Intersectional Stigma Research: Core Elements and Opportunities.

Researchers are increasingly recognizing the importance of studying and addressing intersectional stigma within the field of HIV. Yet, researchers have, arguably, struggled to operationalize intersectional stigma. To ensure that future research and methodological innovation is guided by frameworks from which this area of inquiry has arisen, we propose a series of core elements for future HIV-related intersectional stigma research.

Psychosocial Risk Pathways from Childhood Sexual Abuse to Intimate Partner Violence among Sexual Minority Men: A Test of the Psychological Mediation Framework of Minority Stress.

Although sexual minority men experience elevated rates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and equal or greater rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization compared to heterosexual individuals, little research has examined mechanisms linking these forms of victimization in this high-need population. We examined general (i.e.

Spirituality, self-compassion, and anxiety among sexual minority men: a longitudinal mediation analysis.

Background And Objective: Research related to anxiety among sexual minority men (SMM) typically focuses on risk factors. It has seldom examined factors that may be associated with lower levels of anxiety. This gap in the literature represents an opportunity to explore positive psychological factors that may be related to lower levels of anxiety among this group.

Demographic, clinical guideline criteria, Medicaid expansion and state of residency: a multilevel analysis of PrEP use on a large US sample.

Objective: To explore the association of clinical guideline-related variables, demographics and Medicaid expansion on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake in one of the largest US sample of men who have sex with men(MSM) and transgender and gender non-binary (TGNB) people ever analysed.

Methods: We cross-sectionally analysed predictors of current PrEP use using demographic and HIV risk-related variables (level-1), as well as state-level variables (level-2) (ie, Medicaid expansion status). We further explored the role state of residence plays in PrEP uptake disparities across the USA.

Attachment buffers against the association between childhood sexual abuse, depression, and substance use problems among transgender women: a moderated-mediation model.

Previous research shows a greater prevalence of substance use among childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors. Transgender women experience CSA at a significantly higher rate compared to the general population. Previous studies show a high prevalence of substance use and find that CSA predicts increased drug use among transgender women.

Sexual Shame and Emotion Dysregulation: Key Roles in the Association between Internalized Homonegativity and Sexual Compulsivity.

Sexual minority men (SMM) are at increased risk for mental health problems due to effects of sexual minority stigma (e.g., internalized homonegativity (IH)).

Differences in HIV Risk and Prevention Among Cisgender Latino Sexual Minority Men by Language of Online Survey Completion: Analysis of National and Washington State Data.

Internet-based surveys can be programmed and advertised in multiple languages to reach non-English-speaking individuals, but it is unclear the extent to which this enhances the diversity of participants and supports inclusion of individuals at higher risk for HIV. We sought to examine how language of survey completion (English or Spanish) was associated with sociodemographic characteristics and indicators of HIV risk and prevention among cisgender Latino sexual minority men (SMM). We analyzed national and Washington State data using the Understanding New Infections through Targeted Epidemiology (UNITE) Cohort Study (2017 and 2018) and the Washington HIV/STI Prevention Project (WHSPP) survey (2017 and 2018/2019), respectively.

Examining inequities in rates of undiagnosed HIV and rectal STIs in a large nationwide cohort study of sexual minority men.

Objective: Sexual minority men (SMM) of colour are disproportionately impacted by HIV and bacterial STIs (bSTIs). To better understand within-group heterogeneity and differential risk factors by race and ethnicity, we sought to examine rates of undiagnosed HIV and rectal bSTI at the intersection of racial and ethnic identity with other sociodemographic factors.

Methods: We examined data from 8105 SMM conducting home-based self-testing at enrolment in a nationwide cohort study collected from November 2017 to August 2018.

Chronic High Risk Prescription Opioid Use Among Persons With HIV.

Persons with HIV (PWH) are a population at risk for adverse sequelae of opioid use. Yet, few studies have examined correlates of chronic high risk opioid use and its impact on HIV outcomes. Trends in prescribing patterns and identification of factors that impact the use of opioid prescriptions among PWH are crucial to determine prevention and treatment interventions.

Heterosexual Cisgender Men Partnered with Transgender Women Exhibit Higher HIV/STI Sexual Risk than Their Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Counterparts: Findings from a U.S.-Based Convenience Sample Recruited Online.

Cisgender men are frequently vectors for HIV transmission among transgender women. Despite this, the correlates of sexual risk among these men remain under-examined. The purpose of the present study was to explore potential differences in relationship characteristics, sexual risk-taking, and risk-reduction strategies among cisgender men partnered with transgender women.

Stress-Related Growth Among Transgender Women: Measurement, Correlates, and Insights for Clinical Interventions.

Although transgender women (TGW), and especially TGW of color, are disproportionately exposed to discrimination and violence, many of them experience stress-related growth. However, little is known about the experience of stress-related growth and its correlates among TGW. Using data from a racially-diverse sample of 210 TGW, the short version of the Stress-Related Growth Scale was modified to assess growth as a result of coming to terms with one's transgender identity among TGW.

Intersecting Structural Oppression and Black Sexual Minority Men's Health.

Introduction: Although evidence indicates that Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men experience vast psychological and behavioral health inequities, most research has focused on individual rather than structural drivers of these inequities. This study examines the associations between structural racism and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies and the psychological and behavioral health of Black and White sexual minority men.

Methods: Participants were an Internet-based U.