Perspectives of Gender-Diverse Youth and Caregivers Facing Gender-Affirming Medical Intervention Bans.

In the past 2 years, nearly all 50 states have debated bills seeking to ban minors' access to gender-affirming medical interventions, with many being passed into law. This study documents gender-diverse youths' (GDY) and their caregivers' experiences as they grapple with how such laws impact their families. Sixteen GDY and 16 caregivers participating in a longitudinal study of the impact of gender-affirming care on GDYs' well-being were interviewed about how the legal and social discourse was impacting them and their families.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of socio-cognitive and socio-affective processes association with adolescent substance use.

Background: Social impairments are important features of a substance use disorder diagnosis; and recent models suggest early impairments in socio-cognitive and -affective processes may predict future use. However, no systematic reviews are available on this topic.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses exploring the association between social-cognitive and -affective processes (empathy, callous-unemotional (CU) traits, theory of mind, and social cognition) and substance use frequency (alcohol, cannabis, general drug use).

The Impact of Sociosexualization and Sexual Identity Development on the Sexual Well-Being of Youth Formerly in the Foster Care System.

Purpose: Youth in the child welfare system experience disproportionate rates of negative sexual health outcomes as well as increased engagement in risky sexual behaviors. This study explored the impact of sociosexualization and sexual identity development on the sexual well-being of youth formerly in the foster care system.

Methods: Two hundred and nineteen youth formerly in the foster care system completed an Internet-based survey, including measures of the level of sexuality-related topics discussion, relationship quality with the individual with whom the topics were discussed, adverse childhood experiences, severity of sexual abuse history, sexual identity development, and sexual well-being.

Youth Sexual Development: A Primer for Social Workers.

Sexuality and sexual expression are core aspects of most clients' lives, yet most schools of social work fail to cover sexual development, leaving social workers uninformed about this essential area of human development. This is particularly the case when the sexual development of youths is concerned, as youth sexuality is often considered too controversial to explore. Considering a positive approach to youth sexuality that seeks to enhance youths' sexual development and promote their achievement of full sexual and reproductive rights, this article seeks to provide social workers with a resource they can use to enhance their understanding of youth sexual development and its applicability to social work practice.