Impact of family rejection and racism on sexual and gender minority stress among LGBTQ young people of color during COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: Given the inequitable impact of COVID-19 on sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth and current sociopolitical racial justice concerns in the United States, this study examines the impact of SGM-related family rejection and racism since the start of COVID-19 on SGM-related internalized homophobia and identity concealment among SGM college students of color (SOC). METHOD: Participants were a subset of SOC (n = 200) from a larger nonprobability cross-sectional study about minority stress and COVID-19 pandemic experiences among SGM college students. Participants completed survey items specifically related to changes in minority stress and racism experiences since the start of COVID-19. Logistic regression models were used to examine the independent and interactive effects of racism and family rejection on identity concealment and internalized homophobia since the start of COVID-19 (adjusting for covariates). RESULTS: Main effects models revealed that increased racism and family rejection were significantly associated with greater odds of experiencing identity concealment since the start of COVID-19. The interaction of increased racism and family rejection was also significantly associated with greater odds of experiencing identity concealment since the start of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Study findings suggest that the intersection of racism and family rejection since the start of COVID-19 consequently translates to increased experiences of identity concealment. Such experiences are known to negatively impact mental health across the life course among SGM young people. Public health, medical, mental health, and higher education stakeholders must implement SGM-affirmative and antiracist practices and interventions to support SGM SOC during COVID-19 and beyond its containment. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Asthma academy: A student nurse-led telehealth education program for low-income family caregivers of children with asthma.

AIMS: The aims of the Asthma Academy study were to (1) evaluate the telehealth performance of DNP students, (2) evaluate the perceived learning experience of DNP students and (3) investigate whether an association exists related to student performance and family caregiver outcomes. DESIGN: A descriptive study was conducted with doctor of nursing practice students. METHODS: Students conducted telehealth visits to help family caregivers of children with asthma and were rated on their performance by two faculty members using a rubric. Student perception data were gathered via survey. RESULTS: Out of a total possible score of 15 points, the mean telehealth performance score of students was 13.38 points. Students indicated the telehealth experience was valuable and that they were satisfied with their learning. This model of leveraging telehealth to bridge nursing students to the community may be adapted to help family caregivers of children with various disease foci.

Mental Health among LGBTQ Cannabis Users During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Analysis of the COVID-19 Cannabis Health Study.

The purpose of this study is to compare the responses of LGBTQ cannabis consumers and their non-LGBTQ counterparts on anxiety, depression, substance use, and COVID-19 coping and stress during the pandemic. Data from an internet-survey of cannabis users during the COVID-19 pandemic were analyzed (N = 2,319). Approximately 18% of the sample identified as LGBTQ. Bivariate analyses were used to examine the relationship between LGBTQ identity and symptoms of anxiety and depression, substance use, and pandemic-related coping strategies and stressors. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between pandemic stressors and coping strategies with LGBTQ identity, while adjusting for sex, age, and race and ethnicity. Differences in the proportion of medicinal cannabis use among LGBTQ respondents (74.6%) and non-LGBTQ respondents (75.3%) were insignificant. LGBTQ cannabis users were more likely to report COVID-19 related stressors and coping behaviors, including increased alcohol use. After adjustment for covariates, LGBTQ cannabis users were more likely to report symptoms of depression and anxiety than non-LGBTQ cannabis users. These results show that compared to their cisgender heterosexual counterparts, LGBTQ cannabis users are experiencing more problematic mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latinx Health Disparities Research During COVID-19: Challenges and Innovations.

BACKGROUND: The Center for Latino Health Research Opportunities (CLaRO) supports and facilitates research addressing substance abuse, violence/trauma, and HIV/AIDS among diverse and underserved Latinx populations. CLaRO runs a pilot awards program for early-stage investigators conducting Latinx health disparities research. This pilot awards program was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating innovative responses for research continuity. PURPOSE: The purpose of this commentary is to describe the challenges and innovative research methods developed in response to COVID-19 to continue Latinx health disparities research in the context of COVID-19. METHODS/RESULTS: This commentary provides a brief description of each CLaRO pilot project, the challenges introduced by COVID-19, and innovative research methods to continue Latinx health disparities research during and beyond COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the challenges COVID-19 presents to the continuity of health disparities research, it also presents unprecedented opportunities to innovate. Such innovation is essential for solving persistent scientific, public health, and clinical challenges underlying current and emerging health disparities.

LGBTQ populations: Psychologically vulnerable communities in the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the wake of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the psychological consequences that will follow, it is critical to acknowledge and understand the unique vulnerabilities of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ) populations in order to provide equitable mental health intervention that reaches these highly at-risk groups. It is well established that LGBTQ persons face social disadvantages and mental health disparities, which may be exacerbated as a result of COVID-19 pandemic trauma and social isolation measures. This commentary highlights structural, social, and individual-level challenges among LGBTQ populations in the context of COVID-19 and proposes prevention recommendations to mitigate the psychological ramifications of COVID-19 pandemic-related trauma among LGBTQ persons. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).