Sexual orientation and gender identity victimization among young adults in the New York City metropolitan area: The P18 cohort study.

Abstract

Sexual and gender minority populations are significantly more likely to experience verbal and physical victimization in young adulthood. These analyses examine the types, contexts, and sources of lifetime sexual orientation and gender identity victimization (SGV) in a diverse sample of sexual minority men (SMM) and transgender women as well as the extent to which experiences of SGV vary among subgroups of the population. Cross-sectional data were collected as part of a study of sexual health, mental health, and HIV examined through the lens of syndemic production in young SMM. Measures assessed sociodemographic characteristics as well as the types, sources, and contexts of physical assault and verbal harassment due to actual or perceived gender or sexuality. Verbal harassment was more prevalent in the sample than physical assault (44.5% vs. 11.6%). Schools or sports teams and neighborhoods were the most common contexts for verbal and physical SGV. Strangers were the most frequent perpetrators of SGV, followed by family and peers. Bivariate analyses showed significant differences in SGV based on race, education, perceived familial SES, sexual identity, and borough of residence. In multivariate analyses, race, SES, sexual identity, and borough of residence were significant predictors of verbal SGV. Findings suggest that SGV experiences are not uniform in sexual minority young adults, and thus prevention and care must be targeted. Understanding the multiple identities of sexual minority young adults who experience greater levels of victimization can allow for policy and interventions to best support those at risk.

An exploration of racial differences of psychosocial stressors and their association with mental health between Asian and White sexual minority men: The P18 cohort study.

“…We reported results according to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines for cross-sectional studies (von Elm et al, 2008). Findings related to cigarette smoking and substance use (LoSchiavo et al, 2019), sexualized and gendered-based violence (LoSchiavo et al, 2021), and HIV risk (Halkitis et al, 2015) using data from the P18 Cohort Study are reported elsewhere.…”

“…Sexual orientation was measured using a single item based on the Kinsey scale (Kinsey et al, 1948), with values ranging from exclusively heterosexual (1) to exclusively homosexual (7). Similar to previous studies, we dichotomized sexual orientation as exclusively homosexual or not exclusively homosexual (LoSchiavo et al, 2019). Response options for gender identity included male, female, transfemale, genderqueer, or no gender; we dichotomized responses as cisgender male or transgender due to the small number of noncisgender male participants.…”

Life course history of physical and sexual abuse is associated with cardiovascular disease risk among women living with and without HIV

“…Despite this evidence, researchers have not considered the ACEs and CVD association among people with HIV (PWH). This is a key omission in the literature because PWH and those at risk for acquiring HIV, including sexual and gender minority populations, tend to experience more ACEs than people without HIV [3,[13][14][15][16]. Moreover, people with ACEs are more likely to experience intimate partner violence and other abuses later in life [17], particularly women living with HIV (WLWH) [18,19].…”

Mental health of transgender children and adolescents: a systematic review

“…From this, it would be possible to promote the monitoring of the needs of this population, respecting and guaranteeing human rights and providing quality information about medical care, reducing stigmatization. (3,(16)(17)(18)(19) Thus, the present study aimed to raise, based on published scientific evidence, the relevant aspects about the mental health of transgender children and adolescents, in addition to seeking the impacts of strategies, such as social transition and family support, in reducing psychopathological problems and improving the quality of life of this population.…”