With a United States-based sample of 326 sexual minority men, the present study tested hypotheses derived from objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997), minority stress theory (e.g., Meyer, 2003), and prior research regarding men and body image (e.g., McCreary & Sasse, 2000). Specifically, we examined a path model wherein objectification constructs (internalized standards of attractiveness, body surveillance, body dissatisfaction, and drive for muscularity) and a minority stress variable (internalized heterosexism) were direct and indirect predictors of intention to use anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and compulsive exercise. Results of the path model yielded adequate fit to the data. Regarding direct links, internalized heterosexism was correlated positively with internalized standards of attractiveness and related positively to body dissatisfaction, internalized standards of attractiveness related positively to drive for muscularity and body surveillance, and drive for muscularity related positively with intention to use AAS and compulsive exercise; internalized standards of attractiveness yielded a significant and positive indirect link to intention to use AAS through drive for muscularity. Implications of our findings, regarding the application and limitations of the objectification theory framework for research and practice with sexual minority men, are further discussed.

Drawing from minority stress (Meyer, 2003) and feminist multicultural (Brown, 1994) theories, the present study investigated the additive and interactive relations between 2 types of external minority stress (heterosexist discrimination and racist events) and 4 internal stress processes related to identifying as a South Asian American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) person (internalized heterosexism, acculturation, enculturation, and outness as LGBQ) with psychological distress. With 142 participants, Pearson's correlations, multiple regression, and simultaneous multiple moderation analyses were conducted. Experiences of heterosexist discrimination, racist events, and internalized heterosexism were correlated positively with psychological distress and enculturation was correlated negatively. In a test of the additive model, heterosexist discrimination, racist events, and internalized heterosexism accounted for significant and unique variance in psychological distress, but outness, acculturation, and enculturation did not. To test the interactive model, the simultaneous moderating roles of the internal stress processes were examined in the links between the external minority stressors to psychological distress. Only outness as LGBQ emerged as a moderator. The link between racist events and psychological distress was exacerbated in instances of higher outness, such that respondents with high racist events and high outness reported the highest levels of psychological distress. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed and future research directions focused on the needs of South Asian American LGBQ people are suggested.

Counseling psychologists should take an active approach in broaching issues of sex and sexuality, given that clients may hesitate to initiate such conversations due to their discomfort or fears about therapists' attitudes or judgments. Research has suggested that mental health providers need to be skilled and comfortable addressing issues of sex and sexuality in order to provide culturally competent, holistic care for clients. Consistent with a sexpositive approach, which views sexuality as a universal human experience and an important aspect of overall psychological health, quality of life, and relational satisfaction, in this article we present five recommendations for counseling psychologists, encouraging them to integrate topics of sex and sexuality into clinical practice. Following Pederson's (2000) Triad Training Model of awareness, knowledge, and skills, we provide recommendations accompanied with questions and examples of proactive and sex-positive language.

This study provides a content analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles about consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) from a social scientific lens published from 1926 through 2016, excluding articles specific to polygamy or other faith-based relational practices. The content analysis yielded 116 articles, with most of the articles being nonempirical research (n ϭ 74) rather than empirical studies (n ϭ 42). Although the number of published articles about CNM has increased significantly in recent decades (n ϭ 26 from 1926 to 2000 compared with n ϭ 90 from 2001 to 2016), the topics discussed in CNM literature were narrow in scope and focused on (a) relationship styles, (b) CNM stigma, and/or (c) LGBTQ issues. Content analysis data showed that the vast majority of articles were published in journals about sexuality, suggesting that CNM remains an underexamined topic in psychological science. Additionally, only a handful of the total articles centered on topics related to family concerns (n ϭ 5) or training and counseling (n ϭ 2). Findings from this content analysis suggest that individuals and families who practice CNM are an underserved and understudied group that would benefit from advancements in psychological scholarship specific to their experiences.

The recent proliferation of mobile dating applications (“apps”) has led to profound shifts in the ways sexual minority men (SMM) connect with others and themselves (Anderson, Holland, Koc, & Haslam, 2018). These apps, which often categorize users by factors such as body build, may promote sexual harassment and objectification (Griffiths, Murray, Krug, & McLean, 2018), potentially compounding already disproportionate body image concerns among this population (Daniel & Bridges, 2010). To test relations of app use and online objectification, we examined a path model testing tenets of objectification theory (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997) among a national sample of 230 SMM. We measured direct and indirect relations between patterns of app use (i.e., number of apps used, app use frequency), online objectification, internalization of sociocultural standards of attractiveness, two psychological reactions (i.e., body surveillance, body satisfaction), and self-esteem, a mental health risk particularly salient among SMM. The present study demonstrated support for expansions of objectification theory both online and among SMM. Regarding direct relations, number of apps used (though not app use frequency) was positively related with objectification, internalization, and body surveillance, and negatively related with body satisfaction and self-esteem. Variables yielded indirect relations via internalization, body surveillance, and body satisfaction. Implications of our findings, as well as limitations and implications for future research and practice, are discussed.