scholarly journals Racialized Sexual Discrimination ( RSD ) in the Age of Online Sexual Networking: Are Young Black Gay/Bisexual Men ( YBGBM ) at Elevated Risk for Adverse Psychological Health?

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 504-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan M. Wade ◽  
Gary W. Harper
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 726-736 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaclyn M. White Hughto ◽  
John E. Pachankis ◽  
Adam I. Eldahan ◽  
Danya E. Keene

Social–sexual networking technologies have been reported to yield both psychosocial benefits and sexual risks for gay and bisexual men, yet little research has explored how technology interacts with the social–geographical environment to shape the health of gay and bisexual men in the relatively understudied environment of small cities. This article draws on 29 semistructured interviews examining the use of social–sexual networking technologies among racially diverse gay and bisexual men in two small cities. Questions probed participants’ use of technology to meet sexual partners, engagement in the gay community, and the role of virtual and nonvirtual spaces in relation to health. Findings suggest that social networking technologies can help men navigate the challenges of small cities, including small and insular gay communities, lack of dedicated gay spaces, and sexual minority stigma. However, participants also describe declines in gay community visibility and cohesion, which they attribute to technology use. The article concludes by discussing the intersections of virtual and physical space in small cities as sites for the production of health and illness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  

Abstract Over the past decades, public health research has started to examine the higher risk of mental health concerns among sexual minorities (e.g., lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals) when compared with heterosexual individuals. Until more recently, most of this research has been coming from North America and focused on theories of stigma and minority stress in their attempt to explain these elevated rates of mental health problems. Minority stress theory posit stigma to be a root cause of the higher risk of mental health problems among sexual minorities and that stigma results in victimization, discrimination, internalized homonegativity, and identity concealment, which erodes mental health. Exposure to such minority stressors may differ across structural climates, based on population attitudes, discriminatory legislation, and unequal policies. In this way, such structural forms of stigma toward sexual minorities may foster increased exposure to minority stressors and elevated levels of mental health problems among sexual minorities. However, the evidence on these mechanisms remains limited as they have only recently become a topic of research. This workshop includes five empirical presentations from various structural contexts. It focuses on the elevated risk of mental health problems among sexual minorities across these settings, on identifying minority stressors in high-stigma countries, and on linking country-level structural stigma to experiences of minority stressors to explain poor mental health among sexual minorities. First, Michal Pitonak will present results from the first Czech population-based study showing higher rates of substance use, psychological distress, and low life satisfaction among sexual minorities compared to heterosexual individuals. Second, Giuseppina Lo Moro will present results from Italy showing a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms and mental health treatment among sexual minority medical students compared to their heterosexual peers. Next, Guillermo Martínez-Pérez will present findings on experiences of minority stress among Senegalese bisexual men and linkages to mental health. Finally, Arjan van der Star will extend these findings with data showing how the mental health effects of structural stigma and minority stress may be related to time both before and since migrating among migrant sexual minority men in the low-structural-stigma context of Sweden. Key messages Sexual minorities across the globe are at an increased risk for mental health problems and stigma-based minority stress experiences compared with heterosexual individuals. Structural forms of stigma, such as country-specific negative societal attitudes and discriminatory laws, may drive this elevated risk depending on length of exposure.


Author(s):  
Christine Parrish ◽  
Carole Roth ◽  
Brooke Roberts ◽  
Gail Davie

Abstract Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is recognized as the signature injury of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet there remains limited understanding of the persisting cognitive deficits of mTBI sustained in combat. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have traditionally been responsible for evaluating and treating the cognitive-communication disorders following severe brain injuries. The evaluation instruments historically used are insensitive to the subtle deficits found in individuals with mTBI. Objectives: Based on the limited literature and clinical evidence describing traditional and current tests for measuring cognitive-communication deficits (CCD) of TBI, the strengths and weaknesses of the instruments are discussed relative to their use with mTBI. It is necessary to understand the nature and severity of CCD associated with mTBI for treatment planning and goal setting. Yet, the complexity of mTBI sustained in combat, which often co-occurs with PTSD and other psychological health and physiological issues, creates a clinical challenge for speech-language pathologists worldwide. The purpose of the paper is to explore methods for substantiating the nature and severity of CCD described by service members returning from combat. Methods: To better understand the nature of the functional cognitive-communication deficits described by service members returning from combat, a patient questionnaire and a test protocol were designed and administered to over 200 patients. Preliminary impressions are described addressing the nature of the deficits and the challenges faced in differentiating the etiologies of the CCD. Conclusions: Speech-language pathologists are challenged with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating the cognitive-communication deficits of mTBI resulting from combat-related injuries. Assessments that are sensitive to the functional deficits of mTBI are recommended. An interdisciplinary rehabilitation model is essential for differentially diagnosing the consequences of mTBI, PTSD, and other psychological and physical health concerns.


2010 ◽  
Vol 43 (15) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
MITCHEL L. ZOLER
Keyword(s):  

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 206-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahel Bachem ◽  
Andreas Maercker

Abstract. The present study introduces a revised Sense of Coherence (SOC) scale, a new conceptualization and operationalization of the resilience indicator SOC. It outlines the scale development and aims for testing its reliability, factor structure, and validity. Literature on Antonovsky’s SOC (SOC-A) was critically reviewed to identify needs for improving the scale. The scale was investigated in two samples. Sample 1 consisted of 334 bereaved participants, Sample 2 of 157 healthy controls. The revised SOC Scale, SOC-A, and theoretically relevant questionnaires were applied. Explorative and confirmatory factor analyses established a three-factor structure in both samples. The revised SOC Scale showed significant but discriminative associations with related constructs, including self-efficacy, posttraumatic growth, and neuroticism. The revised measure was significantly associated with psychological health indicators, including persistent grief, depression, and anxiety, but not to the extent as the previous SOC-A. Stability over time was sufficient. The study provides psychometric support for the revised SOC conceptualization and scale. It has several advantages over the previous SOC-A scale (unique variance, distinct factor structure, stability). The scale could be used for clinical and health psychological testing or research into the growing field of studies on resilience over the life span.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document