Publications by authors named "Sylvanna M Vargas"

Article Synopsis
  • The study talked to 6 patients and 3 caregivers about their experiences with psychosis using interviews in Spanish.* -
  • Most people noticed symptoms like hallucinations but only sought help when aggressive behaviors or health issues got worse.* -
  • Participants started seeing psychosis as a disorder linked to aggression, which made some feel confused about the diagnosis.*
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The current study describes how a community-partnered participatory research (CPPR) model was used to enhance hair cortisol research engagement among low-income adults of diverse ethnicities and sexual and gender identities. Participants' reported motivations and concerns surrounding providing a hair sample are also described. Participants from a larger longitudinal study were invited to provide a hair sample and/or complete acceptability interviews.

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Objective: This study aimed to use a large population-based sample to investigate age-associated differences in mental distress among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults compared with their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts.

Methods: Data were pooled from five cycles (2014-2018) of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey (N=762,541) and included states that administered the optional SGM module during that interval. Mean days of self-reported mental distress and the rate of frequent mental distress (≥14 days of mental distress per month) were calculated for each age and SGM identity stratum by using linear and logistic regression, respectively.

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Background: The Resilience Against Depression Disparities (RADD), a community partnered, randomized comparative effectiveness study, aimed to address mental health in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) racial/ethnic populations in New Orleans and Los Angeles.

Objectives: To describe engagement methods, lessons learned, and recommendations in engaging LGBTQ individuals and agencies throughout the RADD study.

Methods: RADD used a community partnered participatory research framework to engage LGBTQ community members and agencies.

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The current study uses an intersectional framework to examine subgroup differences in the prevalence of depression among a community sample of predominantly low-income, racial/ethnic and sexual minority adults. Between May 2017-June 2018, participants (N=1753) were recruited from and screened for depression in community organizations that predominantly serve sexual minority clients based in Los Angeles, California and New Orleans, Louisiana. Twenty-six percent of people screened for study eligibility met criteria for depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8≥10).

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Little is known about people who experience multiple types of discrimination (e.g., racism and heterosexism).

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Hoarding disorder has significant health consequences, including the devastating threat of eviction. In this pilot study, critical time intervention (CTI), an evidence-based model of case management shown to be effective for vulnerable populations, was adapted for individuals with severe symptoms of hoarding disorder at risk for eviction (CTI-HD). Of the 14 adults who enrolled, 11 participants completed the 9-month intervention.

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Introduction: Depression is the leading cause of adult disability and common among sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults. The current study builds on findings showing the effectiveness of depression quality improvement (QI) and delivery of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) skills provided by community health workers in reducing depression. Depression QI approaches across healthcare and social/community services in safety-net settings have shown improvements in mental wellness, mental health quality of life and depression over 12 months.

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Relative to non-Latino Whites, Latinos in the United States with major depressive disorder (MDD) show low engagement in antidepressant therapy, whether engagement is defined as pharmacotherapy access, medication initiation, pill-taking, or treatment retention. One potential reason for this disparity in depression care is the low cultural congruence of pharmacotherapy for this population. To examine Latinos' views of depression and antidepressant therapy, we conducted qualitative interviews with 30 Latino outpatients initiating antidepressants prior to their first treatment visit using the semistructured Treatment Adherence and Retention Questionnaire.

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