Perceptions of Sexual Risk and HIV/STI Prevention Among Black Adolescent Girls in a Detention Center: an Investigation of the Role of Parents and Peers.

Black American adolescent girls constitute approximately one third of the US youth legal system population. Their overrepresentation in the youth punishment system is an indicator of significant physical, sexual, and/or behavioral health needs. Since less is known about perceptions of HIV/STI risk among Black girls with juvenile justice histories, we used intersectionality theory to explore the following: (1) how a sample of Black girls in detention endorse their perceptions of sexual safety given the multiple intersections of their race, gender, and SES and (2) how their endorsements align with interlocking systems of social inequality for system-involved Black at the social structural level. We examined relational and behavioral factors associated perceived HIV/STI risk. Among a sample of 188 Black girls (ages 13-17 years), we examined parent and partner sexual communication, fear of condom negotiation, a positive STI test, and partner risk profile as significant correlates. Major findings indicated that greater partner communication was associated with higher perceived HIV/STI risk, whereas having had a risky sexual partner, fear of condom negotiation, and having had a positive STI test were correlated with lower perceived risk. The significant factors identified in this study can be the focus of STI prevention and intervention programs for Black girls with youth punishment histories.

Do Say Gay: Inclusive Sexuality Discussions for Out, Closeted, Questioning, and Straight Youth.

INTRODUCTION: Debates questioning the soundness of inclusive elementary school discussions that acknowledge sexual and gender diverse people are harmful to gay, bisexual, or queer (GBQ) males. With parents as sexual socialization agents, examining sex communication at home is critical for promoting inclusive health information for all youth. METHOD: We examined how GBQ youth (n = 30), aged 15-20 years, conceptualized inclusive sex communication with parents and the value of open sexuality discussions. RESULTS: Most of the sample identified as gay (76.7%) and diverse (13.3% Asian, 13.3% Black/African American, 33.3% Latino). Participants discussed sexual health with their parents and perceived its significance for GBQ, questioning, and heterosexual children. DISCUSSION: Findings can inform interventions that promote inclusive sex communication between parents and children to promote acceptance of sexual and gender diversity and sexual health for all youth.

Martial arts-based curriculum reduces stress, emotional, and behavioral problems in elementary schoolchildren during the COVID-19 pandemic: A pilot study.

This exploratory study examined the impact of Heroes Circle, a martial arts-based curriculum on stress, emotional, and behavioral problems in elementary school children. While students completed classroom surveys at baseline, post-curriculum surveys were collected from teachers, students, and parents/guardians two and five months after COVID-19-related school shutdowns. Satisfaction with the curriculum was high among those who received the intervention. Children reported increased mindfulness and decreased stress over the school year. Most children (77%) were still using the program's techniques and reporting benefits five months later, including lower internalizing symptoms and COVID-19-related fears. These patterns were not observed at the control school.