Using data from the first national probability sample of Black, White, and Latinx sexual minority people in the United States, we examined whether and how sexual identity development timing and ...pacing differs across demographic subgroups at the intersections of cohort, sex, sexual identity, and race/ethnicity. Among a sample of 1,491 participants aged 18-60 from 3 distinct birth cohorts, we measured participants' ages of sexual identity development milestones, including first same-sex attraction, first self-realization of a sexual minority identity, first same-sex sexual behavior, first disclosure to a straight friend, and first disclosure to a family member. Participants from more recent cohorts reported earlier and accelerated pacing of milestones relative to those from older cohorts. Subgroups defined by sex and sexual identity varied in milestone timing and pacing, with gay males reporting an earlier onset of some milestones than other subgroups. Those who used newer identity labels (e.g., pansexual, queer) reported younger ages of milestones relative to bisexual participants but similar ages to lesbian and gay participants. Black and Latinx participants reported some milestones at younger ages than White participants. Race-stratified models testing groups at the intersection of cohort, sex, and sexual identity revealed subgroup differences in ages of first disclosure to family, as well as differences in the time between self-realization, same-sex sexual behavior, and disclosure to a straight friend. The results suggest substantial variation in the developmental timing and pacing of milestones across social identities and the need to further examine how milestone timing is related to identity, stress, and health.
For over two decades, the minority stress model has guided research on the health of sexually-diverse individuals (those who are not exclusively heterosexual) and gender-diverse individuals (those ...whose gender identity/expression differs from their birth-assigned sex/gender). According to this model, the cumulative stress caused by stigma and social marginalization fosters stress-related health problems. Yet studies linking minority stress to physical health outcomes have yielded mixed results, suggesting that something is missing from our understanding of stigma and health. Social safety may be the missing piece. Social safety refers to reliable social connection, inclusion, and protection, which are core human needs that are imperiled by stigma. The absence of social safety is just as health-consequential for stigmatized individuals as the presence of minority stress, because the chronic threat-vigilance fostered by insufficient safety has negative long-term effects on cognitive, emotional, and immunological functioning, even when exposure to minority stress is low. We argue that insufficient social safety is a primary cause of stigma-related health disparities and a key target for intervention.
•Sexually- and gender-diverse (SGD) individuals have pronounced health disparities, typically attributed to excess stress.•In addition to excess stress, SGD individuals also experience insufficient social safety.•Social safety (social connection, inclusion, and protection) are fundamental human needs.•Those without sufficient social safety experience chronic threat-vigilance, which has negative long-term health effects.•To reduce SGD health disparities, we need to reduce minority stress while also increasing social safety.
Introduction: Gender and sexual minority/minoritized groups are at a higher risk of substance misuse and related harm compared to the rest of the population. However, limited research has focused on ...understanding the extent of these issues and the support needs of all minoritized groups within the LGBTQ + population.
Methods: This qualitative cross-sectional survey sought to explore LGBTQ + individuals' perspectives on substance use and treatment experiences. Researchers used a manual thematic analysis approach to thoroughly study the data, examining each part closely to uncover themes and patterns. Co-produced with stakeholders and developed with input from LGBTQ + individuals with lived experience, the survey included 38 participants across the UK.
Results: Cannabis (83% n = 20), ecstasy (68% n = 15), and cocaine (67% n = 16) were commonly used substances, while some participants (19% n = 6) reported consuming high levels of alcohol. Many respondents highlighted the role of "stigma" and peer pressure within the LGBTQ + communities as a motivator for substance use. Participants expressed a preference for informal support due to fears of "discrimination" from formal treatment services.
Conclusions: The study underscores the need for research inclusive of all LGBTQ + groups and highlights the importance of tailored interventions that address the diverse needs of LGBTQ + individuals. Further exploration of peer-led interventions is necessary to assess their effectiveness. The findings emphasize the necessity of person-centered treatment approaches that recognize the heterogeneity of service users.
Existing research depicts intergroup prejudices as deeply ingrained, requiring intense intervention to lastingly reduce. Here, we show that a single approximately 10-minute conversation encouraging ...actively taking the perspective of others can markedly reduce prejudice for at least 3 months. We illustrate this potential with a door-to-door canvassing intervention in South Florida targeting antitransgender prejudice. Despite declines in homophobia, transphobia remains pervasive. For the intervention, 56 canvassers went door to door encouraging active perspective-taking with 501 voters at voters' doorsteps. A randomized trial found that these conversations substantially reduced transphobia, with decreases greater than Americans' average decrease in homophobia from 1998 to 2012. These effects persisted for 3 months, and both transgender and nontransgender canvassers were effective. The intervention also increased support for a nondiscrimination law, even after exposing voters to counterarguments.
Social media use among young people has raised concerns about its potential impact on mental health. However, research is limited regarding whether certain subgroups may be differently affected. This ...study uses data from the 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a nationally representative sample of middle and high school students aged approximately 11–18 years (n = 23,366). Mental health conditions were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and social media use was categorized by frequency levels. We employed multinomial logistic regression and a finite mixture Poisson model to explore the relationship between social media use, sexual identity, and mental health status. The study found a consistent association between social media use and mental health conditions, particularly among frequent users. The finite mixture model revealed two latent groups based on mental health status: a ‘better’ group with minimal or no poor mental health indicators and a ‘worse’ group with more indicators. For both groups, social media use was associated with mental health conditions, with a stronger association among frequent users. Notably, sexual minorities, especially bisexual students, were more likely to report poor mental health indicators. This study suggests that frequent social media use may adversely affect young people's mental health and that different youth subgroups may respond differently to social media use and mental health conditions.
In this review, we explore the intricate development of sexual identity, drawing insights from genetic, endocrinological, neuroanatomical, and neurophysiological studies. Gender identity, ...encapsulating an individual's internal perception as male or female, undergoes a nuanced and gradual formation, commencing early in life and progressing through distinct stages. Gender nonconformity delineates behaviors that diverge from culturally prescribed norms, while gender dysphoria encompasses the emotional distress experienced by some individuals due to a mismatch between their gender identity and assigned sex at birth. The genesis of sexual identity involves multifaceted processes spanning numerous years. Human sex differentiation involves the suppression or inactivation of specific genes, a phenomenon illuminated by genetic investigations into gender dysphoria, which have shown comparable rates of genetic variations to the general population. Nevertheless, twin studies suggest an augmented likelihood of transsexuality among family members, hinting at potential environmental influences. Brain sexual differentiation occurs during mid-to-late pregnancy due to the impact of gonadal hormones. The mechanisms underpinning the loss of feminine brain characteristics and subsequent masculinization likely involve a combination of factors, indicating a complex interplay rather than a singular cause. Studies propose that human sexual behavior is not governed by a solitary gene but rather by a network of genes dispersed across the genome. Notably, disparities in brain structures, functionalities between genders, as well as variations in endocrine and serotonin-dopamine levels, are implicated in the etiology of gender dysphoria, contributing to the understanding of this complex phenomenon situated between genders.
Bu gözden geçirmede cinsel kimlik gelişimini bu konuda yapılan genetik, endokrinolojik, nöroanatomik, nörofizyolojik çalışmaların ışığında açıklanması hedeflenmiştir. Cinsel kimlik bireyin kendisini öznel olarak kadın ya da erkek olarak algılamasını ifade eder. Cinsel kimlik gelişiminin erken yaşlarda başladığı, uzun yıllar süren aşamalı bir süreç olduğu ve çeşitli aşamalardan geçtiği belirtilmektedir. Cinsiyet uygunsuzluğu kültürel olarak tanımlanan normlara uymayan cinsiyet rol davranışını belirtir. Cinsiyet hoşnutsuzluğu ise, cinsiyet uyumsuzluğu olan bazı bireylerin yaşayabileceği duygusal karmaşa veya sıkıntıyı ifade etmektedir. İnsanlarda cinsiyet farklılaşması bazı genlerin basımlanması ya da inaktivasyonu ile meydana gelmektedir. Cinsiyet hoşnutsuzluğ örneklemlerindeki genetik araştırmalar rutin moleküler karyotiplemede değişiklik oranlarının genel popülasyona benzer olduğunu göstermiştir. Ancak yapılan ikiz çalışmalarında aile üyeleri arasında artan transseksüelite riski paylaşılmış çevrenin de etken olabileceğini düşündürmüştür. İnsanlarda beynin cinsel yönden farklılaşması gonadal hormonlar etkisi ile gebeliğin ortası/sonlarında olmaktadır. Eldeki veriler değerlendirildiğinde beynin dişil özelliklerinin kaybolması ve erkeksileşmesi için olasılıkla birden fazla mekanizmanın rol oynayabileceği düşünülebilir. Yapılan çalışmalar insanlarda cinsel davranışın tek bir gen tarafından belirlenmediğini, tüm genoma yayılmış çoklu genlerce belirlendiğini düşündürmektedir. Erkek ve kadın beyni yapı ve işlevlerin farklı olması, endokrinolojik ve serotonin- dopamin düzeyinde ki farklılıklar cinsiyetler arasında CH etiyolojisinde etkili olabilir.
College students disproportionately experience victimization, stalking, and relationship violence when compared with other groups. Few studies explore victimization by the gender identity of college ...students, including those who identify as transgender. The purpose of this study is to explore the rates of violence experienced by transgender students compared with male and female college students. This study utilized the National College Health Assessment–II (NCHA-II) and included data from students (n = 82,538) across fall 2011, 2012, and 2013. Bivariate statistics and binary logistic regression were conducted to test the relationships between gender identity and victimization. Transgender students (n = 204) were compared with male (n = 27,322) and female (n = 55,012) students. After adjusting for individual factors, transgender students had higher odds of experiencing all nine types of violence when compared with males and higher odds of experiencing eight types of violence than females. Transgender students experienced the highest odds in crimes involving sexual victimization, including attempted sexual penetration (adjusted odds ratio aOR: 9.49, 95% confidence interval CI = 6.17, 14.59, d = 1.00), sexual penetration without consent (aOR: 9.06, 95% CI = 5.64, 14.53, d = 0.94), and being in a sexually abusive relationship (aOR: 6.48, 95% CI = 4.01, 10.49, d = 0.48), than did male students. Findings reveal increased odds of victimization among transgender students when compared with male and female students. Results demonstrate the need for more comprehensive violence prevention efforts in college settings.
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