Experiences of sexist discrimination as a potential explanatory factor for alcohol and drug misuse among Latina young adult women.

RATIONALE: Marianismo beliefs, or traditional female gender role beliefs among Latinas, have been found to serve as risk or protective factors linked with health risk behaviors in prior studies, including alcohol and drug misuse. However, limited research has examined potential factors that may contribute to or explain these associations. Sexist discrimination, which can serve as a significant stressor that may contribute to substance misuse, is one potential factor that may link marianismo beliefs and substance misuse among Latina young adult women. OBJECTIVE: This study examined sexism as a potential mediator of hypothesized negative associations between five marianismo beliefs (Family Pillar, Virtuous and Chaste, Subordinate to Others, Silencing Self to Maintain Harmony, and Spiritual Pillar) and alcohol and drug misuse using structural equation modeling. METHOD: Participants included 611 cisgender Latina full-time college student young adult women in the U.S. ages 18-26 who participated in an online cross-sectional survey about their health and behaviors. RESULTS: Results delineated experiences of sexism as a significant risk factor for alcohol and drug misuse and as a potential explanatory factor that may partly explain associations between certain marianismo beliefs (i.e., Virtuous and Chaste beliefs) and substance misuse. Specifically, experiences of sexism partially accounted for the negative association between endorsement of the Virtuous and Chaste belief and increased alcohol and drug misuse among Latina young adults. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and intervention efforts should take a culturally responsive, gender-informed approach to address substance misuse among Latina young adults and address the negative influence of sexism on health.

Program Director Reports of COVID-19 Lockdown-Driven Service Changes in Community-Based STI Clinics and Syringe Services Programs in the Southeastern U.S.

The COVID-19 pandemic strained the U.S. health care system, posing logistical challenges for community-based programs. This study surveyed 11 program directors in sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics and syringe services programs (SSPs) that served people who use substances and are at risk for HIV in five southeastern U.S. states. Brief survey questions asked about programs' use of in-person and telehealth services. Results indicated widespread reduction of in-person services and concomitant adoption of telehealth services. In STI clinics, telehealth replaced in-person visits for all but urgent treatment of active symptoms. In SSPs, in-person contact continued or increased from pre-pandemic volumes. In both programs, the most salient telehealth use barrier was limited device or internet access and limited technological ease. Services were sustained through innovative adaptations. This snapshot of response to the early COVID-19 lockdown phase offers actionable guidance about service preparedness for future public health catastrophes in community-based programs serving vulnerable populations.

PrEP for people who use opioids: A NIDA clinical trials network survey study in Southern U.S. cities where HIV incidence is high.

BACKGROUND: People who use opioids (PWUO) are at increased risk for HIV. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective but underutilized as HIV prevention among PWUO. This study examined predictors of willingness to take daily oral PrEP and long-acting injectable (LAI) PrEP among PWUO across eight Southern urban cities with high HIV incidence. METHODS: HIV-negative PWUO (N = 308) seeking services in community-based programs participated in this cross-sectional survey study. Measures included demographics, sexual risk behavior, substance use frequency, and awareness of and willingness to take oral and injectable PrEP. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Willingness to take daily oral and LAI PrEP was moderately high (69.16% and 62.02%, respectively). Half had heard of PrEP, but only 4% had ever taken it. Only education and condomless vaginal sex predicted willingness to take oral PrEP. Only education predicted willingness to take LAI PrEP. Polysubstance use was prevalent, with substantial proportions of PWUO reporting frequent use of injection drugs (opioids or stimulants, 79.5%), non-injection opioids (73.3%), non-injection stimulants (71.1%), cannabis (62.6%), and hazardous drinking (29.6%). About 20% reported past-year condomless anal sex, and one-third reported past-year condomless vaginal sex. CONCLUSIONS: PWUO in this study were amenable to PrEP, particularly in light of education and condomless vaginal sex. Careful consideration for matching PrEP messaging to the PWUO audience is needed. PrEP promotion should expand beyond men who have sex with men to include groups such as these predominantly heterosexual, polysubstance-using PWUO with HIV risk who were open to both formulations of PrEP.

Sexual Identity Development and Social Ecological Facilitators and Barriers of PrEP Uptake and Adherence Among Latinx Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Latinx gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (LMSM) report lower pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use than their white, non-Latinx counterparts. We hypothesize that this disparity is partially attributable to social ecological factors that can be addressed via prevention interventions. In this retrospective study, we first examined data from 253 LMSM to determine whether theorized associations existed between acquisition of a PrEP prescription (uptake) in relation to several social ecological factors based on a conceptual framework of determinants of access to and uptake of PrEP for LMSM. We also explored relations between frequency of PrEP use (adherence) and social ecological factors with a subsample of 33 LMSM who had initiated PrEP 12 months prior to assessment. In this study, individual-level factors from this framework included age and socioeconomic status. Perceived access to medical care represented both individual- and community-level determinants of PrEP uptake and adherence. Interpersonal-level factors were social support and relationship status. Structural/cultural-level factors were sexual identity development status, the masculinity norm of heterosexual self-presentation, traditional Latinx masculine gender role beliefs of machismo and caballerismo, racial identity, and immigration status. Results indicated that older men and those who endorsed the synthesis/integration status of sexual identity development were more likely to acquire a PrEP prescription during their lifetime in comparison to peers. PrEP adherence was linked with being older, reporting higher socioeconomic status, reporting more appraisal social support, self-identifying as white-Latinx, being U.S.-born, and endorsing less sexual identity uncertainty and more heterosexual self-presentation. Results specify modifiable factors that may inform tailored, community-based prevention efforts to increase PrEP use and decrease existing HIV/AIDS disparities among LMSM.

Technology Access and Perceptions of Telehealth Services Among Young Adults Involved in the Court System.

PURPOSE: This study examined access to technology and telehealth among young adults (ages 18-24) who were court-involved and were recruited from an alternative sentencing program in New York City. METHODS: Using sequential mixed methods design, we examined demographic factors linked with access to technology and perceived usefulness of the Internet among n = 321 young adults who were court-involved (75% male, 65% African American, 35% Latinx). We then conducted in-depth interviews with 27 young adults to elicit first-person account of their access to, interest in, and experience with technology and telehealth. RESULTS: Although most participants had access to a phone with a data plan, a substantial proportion reported inconsistent access to the technology critical to telehealth. Certain young adults were more likely to lack consistent access to the technology needed for telehealth, including Black young adults, males, those with less than a high school diploma, those with a history of homelessness, and those who had difficulties paying for basic necessities. Qualitative interviews revealed that most had a strong self-efficacy using technology, while distrust of technology, inexperience with and skepticism of telehealth, low perceived need for care, and medical mistrust were common significant barriers in this underserved population. DISCUSSION: Findings underscored the critical need to address medical mistrust and increase access to and utilization of care among young adults who are court-involved. Results can inform the development and implementation of interventions designed to improve accessibility and acceptability of telehealth.

Do Traditional Gender Role Beliefs Promote Abstinence and Sexual Health Behaviors Among Latina College Students?

Traditional gender role beliefs, or marianismo beliefs, are theorized to be largely protective against health risk behaviors, including sexual risk behaviors among Latina young adults. However, measurement differences across studies and research with heterogeneous samples of abstinent and sexually active Latina young adults have led to unclear findings. Thus, we investigated whether endorsement of certain marianismo beliefs may promote sexual health behaviors or solely promote abstinence. Guided by gender role schema theory, this study investigated the multidimensional construct of marianismo beliefs in relation to past-year abstinence from sexual activity, STI and HIV testing, and condom use among 611 Latina young adults. Results indicated that endorsement of the Virtuous and Chaste belief was associated with decreased odds of sexual activity (i.e., increased odds of being abstinent) in the past year. None of the five marianismo beliefs were significantly linked with condom use. Among sexually active participants, the Virtuous and Chaste belief was associated with decreased likelihood to be tested for both STIs and HIV in the past year. Findings support the notion that certain marianismo beliefs (e.g., the Virtuous and Chaste belief) may promote abstinence, yet pose a risk for sexual health via reduced likelihood for STI and HIV testing. Results may inform culturally-tailored HIV prevention interventions with Latinas to reduce the disproportionate HIV burden in this population.

Supervisor Cultural Humility and Supervisee Nondisclosure: The Supervisory Working Alliance Matters.

Given that half or more of supervisees (therapist trainees) never have their clinical work monitored or observed, supervisees who withhold salient information in clinical supervision compromise supervisors' ability to monitor client welfare and promote supervisees' professional development. Attempting to further understand the factors explaining supervisee nondisclosure, we tested the supervisory working alliance as a mediator of the hypothesized inverse relations of cultural humility and collaborative supervision with supervisee nondisclosure (supervision-related and clinically-related nondisclosure) among a diverse sample of 214 supervisees in applied psychology and allied mental health programs. Results supported the hypotheses that (1) descriptively, supervision-related nondisclosure was more prominent than clinically-related nondisclosure, (2) cultural humility substantially inversely predicted supervisee nondisclosure, and (3) the supervisory working alliance fully mediated the inverse relations of cultural humility and collaborative supervision with supervisee nondisclosure. Understanding the mechanisms underlying supervisee nondisclosure have broad implications for clinicians and researchers alike.

Neighborhood Collective Efficacy: A Longitudinal Social Determinant of Access to Medical Care Among Recently Immigrated Latina Young Adults.

The present longitudinal study examined changes in perceived access to health care among a recently immigrated cohort of Latina young adults who were assessed annually during their first 3 years in the United States. A parallel process growth model of perceived access to health care and neighborhood collective efficacy was examined, accounting for socioeconomic indicators and immigration status. Five hundred thirty Latina young adults (ages 18-23) participated at baseline assessment, and approximately 95% were retained over three annual assessment time points. Participants' mean level of perceived access to health care increased during their initial 3 years in the United States. Women who reported more of an increase in perceived access to health care tended to also indicate increased neighborhood collective efficacy relative to their peers during their first 3 years in the United States. Findings offer important information about the individual- and community-level factors that influence recently immigrated Latinas' health care access.

Trajectories of life satisfaction in Hispanic individuals over the 10 years after traumatic brain injury: A model systems study.

PURPOSE: To identify life satisfaction trajectories at 1-10 years post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) and examine which demographic and injury characteristics at the time of injury are associated with those trajectories. METHODS: Participants included 1,051 Hispanic individuals from the multi-site, longitudinal TBI Model Systems (TBIMS) database. Individuals were enrolled after sustaining a TBI and while undergoing inpatient rehabilitation at a TBIMS site; they were included if they completed the Satisfaction with Life Scale during one or more follow-up data collections at 1, 2, 5, or 10 years after TBI. RESULTS: A linear (straight-line) movement of life satisfaction trajectories was the best fit to the data. Across the overall sample, life satisfaction increased over time, with higher trajectories for Hispanic individuals who had been partnered at baseline, born outside the US and experienced a nonviolent injury cause. There were no significant interactions between time and any of these main effect predictors, suggesting no differential change over time in life satisfaction trajectories as a function of these characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Results revealed increases in life satisfaction over time among Hispanic individuals with TBI and shed light on critical risks and protective factors that may inform targeted rehabilitation services with this underserved group.

Sexual Health and Sexual Quality of Life Among Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury in Latin America.

Background: Sexual changes are an area of primary concern for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and their partners, but the topic has gone largely unexplored in the research literature. Objectives: This study examined how individuals with SCI in Latin America experience their sexuality and what issues they and their partners face in this area. Methods: A total of 248 individuals with SCI from Latin America completed an online 60-item survey regarding sexuality. Results: The majority of participants (87.7%) reported that they had noticed changes in sexuality after the injury, mainly physical problems (50.7%), emotional problems (38.7%), and changes in relationships with partners (27.5%). Regarding sexual desire, 47.2% indicated that desire remained the same after SCI. The majority of participants (81.9%) indicated not having received any information about sexuality after SCI during their hospital stay but reported that they would have liked to have received information (98.1%). Of all participants, 66.1% reported never having been asked about problems or difficulties in their sexual life after SCI by any health professional. Conclusion: Interventions designed to educate individuals with SCI regarding the effect of injury on their sexual functioning, responsiveness, and expression, as well as to support them in maintaining and enhancing their sexual well-being, may be extremely beneficial, particularly in Latin America. Findings highlight the distinct need for professionals to introduce the topic of sexuality by discussing it in a straightforward, nonjudgmental manner and to integrate discussions about sex and related issues into assessment, planning, and ongoing treatment.

A Qualitative Study of Barriers and Facilitators of PrEP Uptake Among Women in Substance Use Treatment and Syringe Service Programs.

PrEP is an HIV prevention option that could benefit substance-involved women, a high-risk population with low PrEP uptake. Little is known about their interest in PrEP. This qualitative study used in-depth interviews to examine PrEP willingness, barriers, and facilitators among 16 women in outpatient psychosocial substance use treatment, methadone, and/or harm reduction/syringe programs in NYC. All expressed willingness to use PrEP, but only during periods of perceived risk. Women perceived themselves to be at high risk for HIV when engaging in active substance use and/or transactional sex. They perceived themselves to be at low risk and therefore unmotivated to take PrEP when abstinent from these activities. Paradoxically, a major barrier to using PrEP was anticipated interference from substance use and transactional sex, the very same activities that create a perception of risk. Facilitators of PrEP use included perceptions of it as effortless (as opposed to barrier methods during sex) and effective, safe, and accessible. Other barriers included fear of stigma and doubts about adhering daily. Recommendations for best PrEP implementation practices for substance-involved women included tailored and venue-specific PrEP information and messaging, PrEP discussion with trusted medical providers, and on-site PrEP prescription in substance use treatment and harm reduction programs.

RESUMEN: PrEP es una opción de prevención de VIH que puede beneficiar a las mujeres que consumen sustancias, una población de alto riesgo con baja aceptación de la PrEP, pero poco se sabe de su interés en la PrEP. Este estudio cualitativo utilizó entrevistas para examinar el interés en tomar la PrEP y las barreras y los facilitadores del uso de la PrEP entre 16 mujeres en tratamiento por el uso de sustancias en clínicas ambulatorias, clínicas metadonas, o programas de reducción de daños en la ciudad de Nueva York, Estados Unidos. Todas las participantes expresaron su disposición a usar PrEP, pero solo durante períodos de riesgo percibido (por ejemplo, tiempos de uso de sustancias activas y/o sexo transaccional). Paradójicamente, una barrera importante para el uso de PrEP fue la interferencia anticipada por el uso de sustancias y el sexo transaccional, las mismas actividades que crean una percepción de riesgo. Los facilitadores incluyeron percepciones de PrEP como sin esfuerzo durante las relaciones sexuales, efectiva, segura, y accesible. Otras barreras incluyeron el miedo del estigma y dudas sobre la adherencia diaria. Las recomendaciones para las mejores prácticas de implementar la PrEP para mujeres que consumen sustancias incluyeron información y mensajes de PrEP personalizados y específicos del lugar, discusión de PrEP con proveedores médicos confiables, y prescripción de PrEP en el sitio en programas de tratamiento y reducción de daños por uso de sustancias.

Associations Between Ethnic Identity Commitment, Discrimination, and Sexism With Sexual Risk Among Latina College Students.

According to intersectionality theory, oppression predisposes individuals from disadvantaged groups to experience disparities in health. Such disparities are evident in the sexual health among college-aged Latina women living in the U.S., who tend to report significantly higher rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies than their White peers. Guided by intersectionality theory, the present study examined sexual risk behaviors (i.e., inconsistent condom use, number of sexual partners) in relation to ethnic identity development and reported experiences of discrimination and sexism among 450 Latina college students (ages 18-26 years old). Notably, results indicated that Latinas who reported relatively lower levels of ethnic identity commitment had, on average, approximately five more sexual partners when they had reported greater lifetime experiences of sexism. Findings highlight how sexist experiences contributed to an increased number of partners among Latinas reporting relatively lower levels of ethnic identity commitment, demonstrating that strong ethnic identity commitment was protective against risk in accordance with past research. Results indicate a continued need for sexual health interventions with Latina college students.

Según la teoría de la interseccionalidad, la opresión predispone a los individuos de grupos desfavorecidos para experimentar las disparidades en la salud. Tales disparidades son evidentes en la salud sexual entre las mujeres Latinas de edad universitaria que viven en los Estados Unidos, que tienden a reportar tasas significativamente más altas de las infecciones de transmisión sexual y los embarazos no deseados en comparación con sus compañeras Blancas. Guiado por la teoría de interseccionalidad, el presente estudio examinó los comportamientos de riesgo sexual (i.e., el uso inconsistente de condón, el número de parejas sexuales) en relación con el desarrollo de la identidad étnica y las experiencias reportadas de la discriminación y el sexismo entre 450 estudiantes universitarias Latinas (edades de 18­26 años). Notablemente, los resultados indicaron que las Latinas que reportaron niveles relativamente más bajos de compromiso de identidad étnica tenían, en promedio, aproximadamente cinco parejas sexuales más cuando habían reportado más experiencias de sexismo de por vida. Los hallazgos resaltan cómo las experiencias sexistas contribuyeron a un mayor número de parejas sexuales entre las Latinas que reportan niveles relativamente más bajos de compromiso de identidad étnica, demostrando que un fuerte compromiso de identidad étnica era protector contra el riesgo de acuerdo con investigaciones anteriores. Los resultados indican una necesidad continua para promover la salud sexual de las estudiantes universitarias Latinas.

The Role of Objectification in College Women's Substance Misuse and Sexual Risk.

Sexism and objectification present major challenges for mental and physical health among women. Scholars have called for research to identify mechanisms that underlie these associations as well as to delineate factors to target in prevention and intervention efforts. This study aimed to build on central tenets of objectification theory through its examination of sexist experiences in relation to body surveillance, body shame, depressive symptoms, and the health risk behaviors of substance use (i.e., alcohol and drug misuse) and sexual risk (i.e., condom use and number of sexual partners) among a large sample of college student women. We also examined whether body surveillance, body shame, and depressive symptoms would mediate theorized pathways extended to substance use and sexual risk. A sample of 505 full-time college student women ages 18-26 completed an online survey that assessed their health and behaviors. We used structural equation modeling to test mediation hypotheses. Results largely supported hypotheses, extended objectification theory to sexual risk, and expanded upon past research on objectification in relation to substance use. Notably, results of this study provided a more nuanced knowledge of how objectification may lead to increases in sexual risk when assessed by number of sexual partners (but not condom use). Further research is warranted to understand potential explanatory pathways between sexism, objectification, and sexual risk. Findings can inform prevention and intervention efforts to target body surveillance, body shame, and depressive symptoms to attempt to reduce the burden of sexist experiences on women's health.

Discrimination-Based Acculturative Stress, Depression, and Alcohol Use among Latina Emerging Adults During Initial Months in the USA.

Background: The present study examined the links between discrimination-based acculturative stress (DAS), depressive symptoms, and alcohol use among recently immigrated Latina young adults and explored potential within-group Latina ethnic differences. Methods: Structural equation modeling was used to assess these relations among 530 Latina young adults (age 18-23) who had immigrated to the U.S. within approximately 12 months prior to assessment. Results: Women reporting more DAS indicated more depressive symptoms and alcohol use than counterparts reporting less DAS. Women reporting more time in the U.S. experienced higher levels of DAS. Undocumented participants, and those who had lived in the U.S. for less time, reported more depressive symptoms than their peers. Discussion: Findings highlight the need for mental health clinicians to attend to their local sociopolitical climate context for discriminatory practices and integrate cultural factors in mental health and alcohol use interventions targeting Latina young adults who recently immigrated to the U.S.

Associations between Impulsivity and Exercise Addiction, Disordered Eating, and Alcohol Use Behaviors: A Latent Profile Analysis.

BackgroundDespite the known negative consequences of exercise addiction and preliminary evidence suggesting that it may co-occur with other health risk behaviors, no studies to date have examined exercise addiction among college students in conjunction with disordered eating behaviors and alcohol use. The aim of this study was to describe which college students are most at-risk for co-occurring health risk behaviors to enhance the efficiency of health risk prevention efforts. Method: Guided by multidimensional theories of impulsivity and substance use models of comorbidity, this study used latent profile analysis to examine whether separate, conceptually meaningful profiles of risk for exercise addiction, disordered eating behaviors, and alcohol use would emerge among 503 college students from a large public university. Results: The best-fitting model supported three profiles. MANOVA results revealed significant profile differences based on exercise addiction, binge eating, purging, laxative/pill/diuretic use, exercising longer than 60 minutes, negative urgency, and problematic alcohol use. Profile 3 students (n = 29), labeled the Affect Driven Health Risk-Takers, demonstrated the highest levels of impulsivity (i.e., negative urgency, lack of premeditation, lack of perseverance, and sensation seeking) and the most risk behaviors compared to the other two profiles. Profile membership was associated with distinct levels of negative urgency, exercise addiction, disordered eating behaviors, and problematic alcohol use. A small proportion of undergraduates demonstrated co-occurring exercise addiction, disordered eating behaviors, and problematic alcohol use. Profile membership also predicted the health outcomes of clinically significant exercise addiction and hazardous alcohol use. Conclusions: Findings illuminated how patterns of risk behavior engagement were associated with clinically significant exercise addiction and hazardous alcohol use and will inform prevention efforts and clinical interventions with at-risk college students.

Psychotherapies for clients with physical health conditions: A scoping review of demographic reporting.

Recent research has highlighted the importance of investigating the efficacy of psychotherapeutic interventions for individuals with physical health conditions. To date, there is evidence that psychotherapeutic interventions are efficacious for a range of physical health conditions (e.g., cancer, obesity, and diabetes). However, less is known about for whom psychotherapeutic interventions for physical health conditions are effective. One reason for this might be pervasive underreporting of demographic data in research, despite the National Institute of Health's 2016 call to action to include such information. Specifically, studies that fail to report full demographic data of participants may reinforce inequities for historically and societally marginalized groups that are traditionally underrepresented in health research; function to restrict researchers from identifying nondiverse, unrepresentative samples; and limit the capacity for future research to address such limitations. To address this gap, we conducted a scoping review of reported demographic data in randomized clinical trials of psychotherapeutic interventions for cancer, obesity, and diabetes. We aimed to identify the frequency and type of demographic data in reported sample characteristics from 2016 to the present. Findings revealed that, on average, studies reported approximately 5 of the 8 demographic domains of interest (M = 5.1; SD = 1.24; range 3-7)-age, sex assigned at birth, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, education, mental health status-suggesting that researchers are not reporting demographic data regularly or consistently. The current article discusses the implications of underreporting demographic data for external validity and provides suggestions for future research directions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Trauma-Related Distress During the COVID-19 Pandemic In 59 Countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended life like few other events in modern history, with differential impacts on varying population groups. This study examined trauma-related distress among 6,882 adults ages 18 to 94 years old in 59 countries during April to May 2020. More than two-thirds of participants reported clinically significant trauma-related distress. Increased distress was associated with unemployment; identifying as transgender, nonbinary, or a cisgender woman; being from a higher income country; current symptoms and positive diagnosis of COVID-19; death of a loved one; restrictive government-imposed isolation; financial difficulties; and food insecurity. Other factors associated with distress included working with potentially infected individuals, care needs at home, a difficult transition to working from home, conflict in the home, separation from loved ones, and event restrictions. Latin American and Caribbean participants reported more trauma-related distress than participants from Europe and Central Asia. Findings inform treatment efforts and highlight the need to address trauma-related distress to avoid long-term mental health consequences.

A Survey of Latin American Rehabilitation Professionals on Addressing Sexuality-Related Concerns After Spinal Cord Injury.

To examine rehabilitation professionals' training and education, attitudes, beliefs or misconceptions, and assessment of issues related to sexuality in individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and their romantic partners. 318 healthcare professionals from Latin America (LA) who worked with individuals with SCI completed an online survey. 99.0% affirmed that sexuality is an issue that should be addressed during the rehabilitation of people with SCI. 86.0% reported being asked questions about sexuality after SCI by their patients and/or their partners, but only 33.2% of the professionals affirmed that it was very likely for them to initiate a conversation about the topic. Only 35.4% reported discussing sexuality issues with patients and their partners as a regular practice; further, 61.5% of the sample reported not being prepared at a scientific, therapeutic, and/or educational level to be able to advise people with SCI in the area of sexuality. 95.9% indicated they would be interested in attending courses, seminars, or conferences tailored to the topic of sexuality after SCI. Participants agreed nearly unanimously (96.8%) that it would be easier to discuss sexuality with people with SCI and their partners if they had more training on this topic, which they believed should have been received during their undergraduate (63.5%) and advanced (34.9%) studies. Findings provide insight into the way sexuality is addressed and attended to in the field of rehabilitation in LA and inform initiatives to improve the provision of care in the realm of sexuality for individuals after SCI.

Grief and bereavement beliefs among U. S. mental health professionals and the general public.

The present study examined beliefs about grief and bereavement in a sample of mental health professionals and the general public in the United States. In part 1 of this study, we developed a 12-item questionnaire based on extant thanatology literature and expert review. In part 2, 210 participants rated their beliefs about grief and bereavement using this questionnaire. Participants rated most items accurately, and mental health professionals were more likely to answer items accurately compared to the general public. These findings provide support for increasing grief literacy in professional and public domains.

Marianismo Beliefs, Intimate Partner Violence, and Psychological Distress Among Recently Immigrated, Young Adult Latinas.

Marianismo is a Latino cultural value that describes both positive and negative aspects of traditional Latina femininity. Marianismo emphasizes culturally valued qualities such as interpersonal harmony, inner strength, self-sacrifice, and morality. Endorsement of marianismo is hypothesized to correlate with individual economic, educational, and personal variables. Marianismo also is theorized to potentially influence attitudes about, experiences of, and responses to intimate partner violence (IPV) among Latina women. The present study examined whether endorsement of marianismo beliefs mitigated or exacerbated psychological distress after experiences of IPV in a sample of 205 recently immigrated Latina women, aged 18 to 23 years. Latina women experiencing higher levels of IPV and endorsing greater marianismo beliefs were hypothesized to indicate greater psychological distress. Unexpectedly, women who endorsed more Subordinate to Others/Self-Silencing to Maintain Harmony marianismo beliefs indicated more psychological distress (p = .05), greater symptoms of psychological distress (p = .01), and greater average distress (p = .03) when they also reported less IPV than peers. Implications for understanding Latinas' responses to and reporting of IPV, as well as for culturally tailored counseling interventions for this underserved and understudied population, are discussed.