Early Identification and Management of Cervical Impairments in Pediatric Patients With Concussion May Reduce Risk of Delayed Recovery.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research, including high-quality systematic reviews, has found that cervical injury, which often accompanies concussive head injury, can delay recovery from concussion. One pilot randomized controlled trial found that focused cervical assessment and appropriate intervention in children and young adults with persisting postconcussive symptoms (PPCS) improved recovery outcomes. Our sports medicine clinics adopted this approach early (within 2 weeks) in children (aged 10-18 years) after concussion. This study describes our clinical management protocol and compares the recovery trajectories in children after concussion with and without a concomitant cervical injury. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Three university-affiliated outpatient sports medicine clinics from September 2016 to December 2019. PATIENTS: One-hundred thirty-four concussed children with cervical impairment (mean age 14.9 years, 65% male, and 6.2 days since concussion) were compared with 130 concussed children without cervical impairment (mean age 14.9 years, 57% male, and 6.0 days since concussion). INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Examination findings related to the cervical spine (range of motion, cervical spasm, and cervical tenderness). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recovery time (measured in days), concussion symptom burden (Postconcussion Symptom Scale), and incidence of PPCS. RESULTS: Children with cervical impairment reported a higher initial symptom burden; however, there were no differences in recovery time (33.65 [28.20-39.09] days vs 35.98 [27.50-44.45] days, P = 0.651) or incidence of PPCS (40.0% vs 34.3%, P = 0.340). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that within this pediatric population, early identification and management of cervical injuries concomitant with concussion may reduce the risk of delayed recovery.

Research and engagement considerations for alcohol use telehealth services within HIV care: a qualitative exploration in federally qualified health centers.

The prevalence of alcohol misuse is high among people with HIV (PWH); however, access to and utilization of evidence-based alcohol misuse interventions remain limited. Telehealth is one treatment approach with the potential for enhancing substance use disorder treatment utilization for PWH served by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). However, questions remain regarding barriers to alcohol-focused telehealth service integration and telehealth research in FQHCs. This study employed qualitative methods, guided by the Dynamic Sustainability Framework, to evaluate barriers and cultural factors impacting FQHC telehealth integration. Eighteen qualitative interviews were completed with staff and leaders across four FQHCs. Interviews were analyzed using directed content analysis, and codes were organized into a priori and emergent themes. Key themes included the presence of common workflows for referring clients to substance use disorder treatment; existing research workflows and preferences for active project staff involvement; telehealth barriers including exacerbation of healthcare disparities and high provider turnover; and the importance of cultural humility and telehealth adaptations for sexual, gender, racial and ethnic minority clients. Findings from this study will inform the development of an alcohol-focused telehealth implementation strategy for a Hybrid Type 1 implementation effectiveness trial to enhance FQHC substance use disorder treatment.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02563574..

Transgender and gender diverse adults' reflections on alcohol counseling and recommendations for providers.

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations experience health disparities due to societal stigma that increases TGD individuals' sources of stress and decreases access to health protective resources. Research has linked experiences of stigma to risky alcohol use, yet there remains a dearth of culturally sensitive alcohol use interventions that meet the needs of TGD people. The present study was conducted to inform modifications to the content and delivery of an existing brief, telehealth, motivational intervention to decrease at-risk alcohol use among TGD adults. Individual semi-structured in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with TGD adults who reported recent alcohol use (n = 18) to explore factors that facilitate positive interactions with health care providers and identify relevant information for alcohol use disorder treatment. Participants were recruited from an LGBTQ +-focused health center in Los Angeles, California. Two major themes and recommendations emerged: (a) A multicultural orientation of humility is important to develop productive therapeutic relationships with TGD clients when delivering motivational interviewing; (b) Due to insufficient appropriate data on alcohol use and health in TGD populations, feedback used in motivational alcohol counseling needs to be modified to better serve TGD clients. These findings show that counselors' philosophy and behavior, as well as session content, need to be considered when working with TGD populations within the context of alcohol counseling. These findings also have implications for intervention development, clinical treatment, and future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

"I'm Gay With an Asterisk": How Intersecting Identities Influence LGBT Strengths.

Research attributes health disparities between sexual minority (those whose sexual orientation and/or practices differ from society, [SM]) and heterosexual populations to social marginalization. LGBT strengths (e.g., resiliency derived from LGBT identity) may reduce the impact of social marginalization. However, it is unclear how LGBT strengths are impacted by SMs' other identities (e.g., racial/ethnic and/or gender). To address this knowledge gap, the present study examined data from the LGBT Stress/Strength project, a qualitative research study investigating minority stress and LGBT strengths in relation to drinking. Participants (N = 22) were self-identified SMs in the northeastern U.S. Transcripts from in-depth interviews were coded using thematic analysis. Participants reported social support from other SMs and empathy toward others were forms of LGBT strength. Sampled SMs assigned female at birth had more intergenerational friendships and relied more on social support than those assigned male at birth. In addition, Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) participants described social marginalization from within the LGBT community, which reduced their reliance on social support. Our results suggest that LGBT strengths are influenced by LGBT community members intersecting identities. More research can expand upon these results by investigating how the confluence of SMs identities and LGBT strengths impact health disparities.

Modeling the Impact of Race, Socioeconomic Status, Discrimination and Cognitive Appraisal on Mental Health Concerns Among Heavy Drinking HIV+ Cisgender MSM.

Prior research has attributed mental health disparities between marginalized and non-marginalized populations to socioeconomic differences (i.e., education, income, employment), stigma (e.g., HIV-related discrimination), and cognitive appraisal (i.e., optimism, hostility, satisfaction with life), but the relations among these variables have not been examined concomitantly. The current study utilized structural equation modeling to examine how race and socioeconomic status impact mental health outcomes through increased exposure to stigma and more negative cognitive appraisals. Data came from a randomized controlled trial of motivational interviewing to address heavy drinking in cisgender men with HIV who have sex with men (n = 180). We found that self-reported discrimination experiences related to race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and HIV status significantly mediated the relation between socioeconomic status and mental health concerns, whereas cognitive appraisal did not. These findings suggest that, among heavy drinking men with HIV who have sex with men, having low socioeconomic resources may increase exposure to discrimination which, in turn, may worsen mental health. Interventions that address social determinants, like socioeconomic disadvantage, and that enhance coping resources related to stigma, may have positive effects on mental health.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01328743. Date of Registration 09/09/2019.

RESUMEN: Investigaciones anteriores han atribuido las disparidades de salud mental entre poblaciones marginadas y no marginadas a diferencias socioeconómicas (es decir, educación, ingresos, empleo), estigma (por ejemplo, discriminación relacionada con el VIH) y evaluación cognitiva (es decir, optimismo, hostilidad, satisfacción con la vida), pero las relaciones entre estas variables no han sido examinadas concomitantemente. El estudio actual utilizó modelos de ecuaciones estructurales para examinar cómo la raza y el estatus socioeconómico afectan los resultados de salud mental a través de una mayor exposición al estigma y evaluaciones cognitivas más negativas. Los datos provienen de un ensayo controlado aleatorio de entrevistas motivacionales para abordar el consumo excesivo de alcohol en hombres cisgénero con VIH que tienen sexo con hombres (n = 180). Encontramos que las experiencias de discriminación autoinformadas relacionadas con la raza/etnicidad, la orientación sexual y el estado serológico respecto al VIH mediaron significativamente en la relación entre el estado socioeconómico y los problemas de salud mental, mientras que la evaluación cognitiva no lo hizo. Estos hallazgos sugieren que, entre los hombres con VIH que beben mucho y tienen sexo con hombres, tener bajos recursos socioeconómicos puede aumentar la exposición a la discriminación que, a su vez, puede empeorar la salud mental. Las intervenciones que abordan los determinantes sociales, como la desventaja socioeconómica, y que mejoran los recursos de afrontamiento relacionados con el estigma, pueden tener efectos positivos en la salud mental.

Characterizing Problematic Drug Use Among Transgender Women and Cisgender Men During the Emerging HIV Crisis in the Philippines: Implications for Policy Research.

Drug use and HIV are key issues for public health interventions in the Philippines. We examined associations of problematic drug use among 320 Filipinx transgender women (trans-WSM) and cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). The prevalence of exhibited problematic drug use in this sample was 29.38%. Greater odds of problematic drug use were observed among Filipinx participants who recently engaged in sex work (adjusted OR [aOR] = 2.79, 95% CI [1.08, 7.18]), reported having HIV positive and unknown status vs. negative status (aOR = 3.61, 95% CI [1.39, 9.39], and aOR = 13.99, 95% CI [2.04, 29.69], respectively), exhibited low HIV knowledge (aOR = 4.15, 95% CI [1.82, 9.44]), and displayed hazardous drinking (aOR = 2.77, 95% CI [1.21, 6.33]). Given its correlates of HIV-related indicators, integration of HIV and harm reduction services as a public health intervention could potentially decrease problematic drug use.

Examining the Impact of Race on Motivational Interviewing Implementation and Outcomes with HIV+ Heavy Drinking Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Motivational interviewing (MI)-based interventions focus on changing behavior through building client motivation. It is unknown how racial mismatch between clients and providers may impact MI implementation and subsequent behavior. We used a mixed methods approach to examine differences in Motivational Interviewing Skill Code (MISC) coded sessions and post-session outcomes between a sample of HIV-positive cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) participants of an MI-based intervention to reduce heavy drinking who identified as persons of color (POC; n = 19) and a matched sample of White participants (n = 19). We used quantitative methods to analyze how providers implemented the intervention (i.e., MISC codes) and post-session drinking. We used qualitative analyses of session transcripts to examine content not captured by MISC coding. Quantitative analyses showed that providers asked fewer open-ended questions and had a lower ratio of complex reflections to simple reflections when working with POC participants, but no significant differences were observed in drinking post-intervention between participants. Qualitative analyses revealed that participants discussed how racial and sexual orientation discrimination impacted their drinking. Allowing clients to share their experiences and to explore individually meaningful reasons for behavioral change may be more important than strict adherence to MI techniques.

Discrimination and alcohol problems among heavy drinking HIV-positive men who have sex with men: The buffering effect of a brief Motivational Intervention to reduce alcohol use.

INTRODUCTION: Heavy alcohol use negatively impacts health outcomes among people with HIV and is especially prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM). Alcohol problems among MSM with HIV may occur, in part, due to increased stress caused by experiences of identity-based discrimination, such as heterosexism, HIV stigma, and racism. The current study examined (a) whether MSM with HIV who experience greater identity-based discrimination reported higher levels of alcohol problems over time in the absence of alcohol intervention, and (b) whether motivational interviewing (MI) to reduce alcohol use would attenuate the effects of discrimination on alcohol problems. METHODS: Data came from a clinical trial in which MSM with HIV were randomized into brief MI for alcohol harm reduction [n = 89] or an HIV treatment as usual assessment only control [TAU; n = 91]. Alcohol use and problems were assessed at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Generalized Estimating Equations found a significant interaction between MI and baseline identity-based discrimination, such that in those not receiving MI, discrimination prospectively predicted alcohol problems over time (B = 0.065, SE = 0.018, p < .001, 95% Wald CI [.030- 0.100]). In those receiving MI, discrimination did not have an effect (B = - 0.002, SE = 0.131, p = .987, 95% Wald CI [- 0.258 to 0.254]). CONCLUSIONS: Even without explicitly targeting experiences of identity-based discrimination, a person-centered intervention, like MI, appears to mitigate the negative impact of identity-based discrimination on alcohol-related problems.

Characterizing Awareness of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention in Manila and Cebu, Philippines: Web-Based Survey of Filipino Cisgender Men Who Have Sex With Men.

BACKGROUND: The Philippines is experiencing an HIV crisis and is considering implementing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as a national public health strategy for HIV prevention for cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM). However, critical information on the awareness of PrEP among cis-MSM is needed to roll out this public health initiative. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess PrEP awareness and related correlates (ie, sociodemographic variables, social factors, and health care access and use) among Filipino cis-MSM. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey with Filipino cis-MSM (n=179) residing in the cities of Manila and Cebu, Philippines. Multivariable analysis procedures were performed to examine the factors associated with PrEP awareness. RESULTS: Our sample demonstrated high awareness (134/179, 74.9%) and interest (159/179, 88.8%) in taking PrEP. The adjusted model showed that greater odds of PrEP awareness were associated with having a college education or higher versus a high school education or lower (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 7.30, 95% CI 1.01-52.47), earning between PHP 10,000 (US $198.6) and PHP 20,000 (US $397.2) versus

Differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors in Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men who reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown.

INTRODUCTION: Understanding HIV risk and healthcare engagement of at-risk individuals by HIV status is vital to informing HIV programmes in settings where the HIV epidemic is rapidly expanding like the Philippines. This study examined differences in HIV risk and healthcare engagement factors among Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM respectively) who self-reported being HIV negative, HIV positive or HIV unknown. METHODS: Between 2018 and 2019, we conducted Project #ParaSaAtin, an online cross-sectional survey that examined the structural, social and behavioural factors impacting HIV services among Filipinx trans-WSM and cis-MSM (n = 318). We performed multinomial regression procedures to determine factors associated with HIV status (with HIV-negative referent). Co-variates included participant demographics, experiences of social marginalization, HIV risk, healthcare engagement and alcohol and substance problems. RESULTS: Self-reported HIV status of the sample was as follows: 38% HIV negative, 34% HIV positive and 28% HIV unknown. Relative to HIV-negative respondents, HIV-positive respondents were more likely to be older (25- to 29-year-old adjusted risk ratio [aRRR]=5.08, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] = 1.88 to 13.72; 30- to 34-year-old aRRR = 4.11, 95% CI = 1.34 to 12.58; and 35 + years old aRRR = 8.13, 95% CI = 2.40 to 27.54, vs. 18 to 25 years old respectively), to live in Manila (aRRR = 5.89, 95% CI = 2.20 to 15.72), exhibit hazardous drinking (aRRR = 2.87, 95% CI = 1.37 to 6.00) and problematic drug use (aRRR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.21 to 7.13). HIV-positive respondents were less likely to identify as straight (aRRR = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.72), and were more likely to avoid HIV services due to lack of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) discrimination policies (aRRR = 0.37, 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.90). Relative to HIV-negative respondents, HIV-unknown respondents were less educated (some college aRRR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.02 to 0.37, beyond college aRRR = 0.31, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.99, vs. high school or below respectively), had lower HIV knowledge (aRRR = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.20 to 0.71), and were less communicative about safer sex (ARR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.09 to 0.92). Moreover, HIV-unknown respondents were also more likely to have avoided HIV services due to cost (aRRR = 4.46, 95% CI = 1.73 to 11.52). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights differences in HIV risks and healthcare engagement by HIV status. These findings show different barriers exist per HIV status group, and underscore the need to address Filipinx trans-WSM and cis-MSM's poor engagement in HIV services in the Philippines.

Telehealth interventions to reduce alcohol use in men with HIV who have sex with men: Protocol for a factorial randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Heavy alcohol use is prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV and is associated with reduced antiretroviral therapy adherence, reduced HIV viral suppression, and reduced survival. We recently found that compared to HIV treatment as usual, three sessions of in-person motivational interviewing (MI) substantially reduced drinking in MSM with HIV. In an effort to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of this intervention, the present study will test whether MI is more effective than brief intervention when delivered by videoconferencing, whether interactive text messaging (ITM) can enhance the effects of alcohol intervention, and whether extended duration of intervention is more effective than brief duration. METHODS: Using a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design, we will randomly assign 224 heavy-drinking MSM with HIV to: MI or brief intervention (BI); ITM or no ITM; Standard or Extended intervention (EI). All participants will receive intervention immediately after baseline assessment via videoconferencing and at 1-month post baseline via telephone. Participants randomized to EI will receive additional intervention sessions at 3, 6, and 9 months. Participants randomized to ITM will receive daily interactive texts about alcohol use for 1 month, with those randomized to EI receiving weekly interactive texts through 9 months. Alcohol and HIV-related outcomes will be assessed at 6 and 12 months post baseline. CONCLUSION: By testing the combinations of interventions that can most effectively reduce alcohol use among MSM with HIV, this study will set the stage for wider-scale implementation of an optimized intervention combination.

The HIV-Related Risk Factors of the Cisgender Male Sexual Partners of Transgender Women (MSTW) in the United States: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Cisgender male sexual partners of transgender women (MSTW) may be at risk for HIV infection. We performed a review of HIV risk factors among MSTW. We searched PubMed database for empirical quantitative U.S.-based studies that included MSTW and were published in English up to November 2018. Of the 4,680 total papers identified, 6 unique studies were included. MSTW displayed heterogeneity in HIV risk factors (e.g., condom use, sexual partners, sexual positions, substance use). In our exploratory meta-analyses, estimated prevalence of self-reported HIV positive status among MSTW was 30.6%, HIV unknown status was 8.8%, and self-reported condomless anal sex with transgender women was 46.1%. Reports of sexual health communication with transgender women was low. More research on MSTW populations is needed to better understand this population's unique needs in the context of recent advancements in HIV prevention.

Developmental Milestones in Young Transgender Women in Two American Cities: Results from a Racially and Ethnically Diverse Sample.

To understand developmental milestones among young transgender women (YTW), we mapped age estimates per milestone by race/ethnicity and cohort age using baseline data from Project Lifeskills (n=298). Compared with older and white participants, younger black, Latina, Asian, and other/mixed race transgender (trans) women reported earlier experiences of sexual debut, transfeminine identity disclosure to others, sexual debut as trans, transfeminine identity expression in public, and integration of hormone use. Findings call for increased research and utilization of gender-affirmative interventions among YTW, with incorporation of nuanced, intersecting roles of race/ethnicity and cohort age across milestones.

Association between experience of racial discrimination and hazardous alcohol use among Maori in Aotearoa New Zealand.

AIMS: To test whether there is a positive association between experience of racial discrimination and hazardous alcohol use among New Zealand Maori and whether racial discrimination mediates hazardous alcohol use in this group. DESIGN: A cross-sectional mediation analysis using a stratified and nationally representative cross-sectional health survey collected from 2016 to 2017 in New Zealand. SETTING: New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS: We used data from 9884 participants who identified as New Zealand European (7341; 56.9% female) or Maori (2543; 60.5% female) in the 2016-17 New Zealand Health Survey. MEASUREMENTS: We included reports from demographic items (sex, age, ethnicity), the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) and experiences of past year discrimination. We conducted mediation analysis with Maori identification as the predictor, hazardous drinking as the binary outcome (0 = AUDIT score less than 8, 1 = 8+) and discrimination as the binary mediator (0 = no discrimination, 1 = experienced racial discrimination). Age, sex and deprivation index were included as covariates. FINDINGS: Maori were more likely to experience discrimination than New Zealand Europeans, and both Maori identification and experiencing discrimination were associated with elevated levels of hazardous alcohol use, P < 0.05. The association between Maori ethnicity on hazardous drinking was partially mediated by discrimination (34.7%, 95% confidence interval 9.70%, 59.60%). CONCLUSION: The association between Maori ethnicity and hazardous drinking in New Zealand may be partially mediated by experience of discrimination.

Do New Zealand sexual minorities engage in more hazardous drinking than non-sexual minorities?

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Research has shown that sexual minorities (SMs) throughout the world display more alcohol use related problems than non-SMs. To date, however, this research has not been replicated in New Zealand. The aim of the current study is to determine whether SMs in New Zealand drink more hazardously than non-SMs. DESIGN AND METHODS: Secondary data analyses were performed using data from the 2015/16 and 2016/17 New Zealand Health Survey. RESULTS: Using a Bayesian logistic regression model we tested whether SM status predicted hazardous alcohol consumption. We found that SMs were 2.2 times (95% HDI [1.7-2.7]) more likely to drink hazardously than non-SMs, but this effect was largely driven by sexual minority women (SMW). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: New Zealand SMs engaged in more hazardous drinking than non-SMs, an effect driven by SMW. A potential reason for these findings could be that, despite New Zealand's relative acceptance of SMs, structural/social discrimination may persist and have a disproportionate effect on women. More research is needed to determine what factors, such as stigma/discrimination, impact SMs' alcohol use in New Zealand.

An mHealth Intervention to Improve Young Gay and Bisexual Men's Sexual, Behavioral, and Mental Health in a Structurally Stigmatizing National Context.

BACKGROUND: Young gay and bisexual men (YGBM) in some Eastern European countries, such as Romania, face high stigma and discrimination, including in health care. Increasing HIV transmission is a concern given inadequate prevention, travel to high-prevalence countries, and popularity of sexual networking technologies. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to adapt and pilot test, in Romania, a preliminarily efficacious mobile health (mHealth) HIV-prevention intervention, created in the United States, to reduce HIV risk among YGBM. METHODS: After an intervention formative phase, we enrolled 43 YGBM, mean age 23.2 (SD 3.6) years, who reported condomless sex with a male partner and at least 5 days of heavy drinking in the past 3 months. These YGBM completed up to eight 60-minute text-based counseling sessions grounded in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral skills training with trained counselors on a private study mobile platform. We conducted one-group pre-post intervention assessments of sexual (eg, HIV-risk behavior), behavioral (eg, alcohol use), and mental health (eg, depression) outcomes to evaluate the intervention impact. RESULTS: From baseline to follow-up, participants reported significant (1) increases in HIV-related knowledge (mean 4.6 vs mean 4.8; P=.001) and recent HIV testing (mean 2.8 vs mean 3.3; P=.05); (2) reductions in the number of days of heavy alcohol consumption (mean 12.8 vs mean 6.9; P=.005), and (3) increases in the self-efficacy of condom use (mean 3.3 vs mean 4.0; P=.01). Participants reported significant reductions in anxiety (mean 1.4 vs mean 1.0; P=.02) and depression (mean 1.5 vs mean 1.0; P=.003). The intervention yielded high acceptability and feasibility: 86% (38/44) of participants who began the intervention completed the minimum dose of 5 sessions, with an average of 7.1 sessions completed; evaluation interviews indicated that participation was rewarding and an "eye-opener" about HIV risk reduction, healthy identity development, and partner communication. CONCLUSIONS: This first mHealth HIV risk-reduction pilot intervention for YGBM in Eastern Europe indicates preliminary efficacy and strong acceptability and feasibility. This mobile prevention tool lends itself to broad dissemination across various similar settings pending future efficacy testing in a large trial, especially in contexts where stigma keeps YGBM out of reach of affirmative health interventions.

Positive psychotherapy for smoking cessation enhanced with text messaging: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite reductions in cigarette smoking in the U.S., improvements in the efficacy of smoking cessation treatments are needed, as rates of sustained abstinence remain disappointingly low. Both low positive affect and high negative affect contribute to smoking relapse and constitute viable targets for smoking cessation interventions. Although some clinical trials have evaluated interventions to address depression as a smoking relapse risk factor, very few have focused on positive affect. Recently, we developed and conducted a preliminary clinical trial of a smoking cessation treatment that targets positive affect and cognitions by incorporating interventions rooted in positive psychology. The current randomized controlled trial will expand upon this preliminary trial to test whether this positive psychology-informed approach results in higher smoking cessation rates compared to a time-matched standard smoking cessation treatment control. METHODS: Three hundred and forty adult daily smokers will be randomly assigned to either positive psychotherapy for smoking cessation or standard behavioral smoking cessation counseling. Participants will meet weekly with a study counselor for 6 weeks and will receive transdermal nicotine patch and text messaging smoking cessation support. Additionally, text messaging in the positive psychotherapy condition will encourage engagement in positive psychology-specific strategies for boosting mood and staying smoke free. Smoking cessation outcomes will be measured at 12, 26, and 52 weeks following target quit date. CONCLUSION: Results from this study will provide evidence on whether incorporating positive psychology interventions into smoking cessation treatment can improve smoking cessation outcomes relative to standard behavioral counseling with nicotine patch and text messaging.

Experimental Investigation of Implicit HIV and Preexposure Prophylaxis Stigma: Evidence for Ancillary Benefits of Preexposure Prophylaxis Use.

BACKGROUND: Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) stigma (ie, negative attitudes toward PrEP users) has been widely documented and is considered a significant barrier to implementation. However, few studies have examined PrEP stigma using implicit measures designed to reduce demand characteristics in responding. This study examined implicit PrEP- and HIV-related stigma among gay and bisexual men using geospatial social networking applications (ie, "hookup apps"). METHODS: Participants were presented with 4 simulated online profiles (pretested for comparability) paired with each of the following characteristics: HIV negative, HIV positive, on PrEP, or substance user. Participants rated the profiles on attractiveness, desirability, trustworthiness, likelihood of condom use, and riskiness of sex. RESULTS: There was no evidence of PrEP-related stigma, ie, participants did not rate profiles of PrEP users more negatively than profiles of HIV-negative individuals not disclosing PrEP use. However, profiles of HIV-positive individuals were rated significantly less attractive and desirable than HIV-negative or PrEP profiles. When the sample was split by history of PrEP use, negative ratings of HIV-positive profiles remained only among participants who had never taken PrEP. Participants with any history of PrEP use demonstrated no difference in ratings by HIV status. CONCLUSION: These data provide the first empirical evidence for lower HIV stigma among PrEP users. Individuals who have used PrEP may "see" HIV-positive individuals differently than those without a history of PrEP use. The lack of evidence for PrEP-related stigma is encouraging and suggests that negative stereotypes about PrEP users may not extend to negative implicit judgments about them on social networking sites.

Demographic Differences in PrEP-Related Stereotypes: Implications for Implementation.

Qualitative interviews about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) stereotypes were conducted with a subsample of 160 MSM who participated in a PrEP messaging study. Negative stereotypes about PrEP users were identified by 80 % of participants. Two types of stereotypes were most common: PrEP users are HIV-infected (and lying about it), and PrEP users are promiscuous and resistant to condom use. Participants' identification of these stereotype categories differed significantly by demographic factors (i.e., race/ethnicity, education). Expanding access to PrEP requires recognizing potential differences in the experience or anticipation of PrEP-related stereotypes that might impact willingness to discuss PrEP with providers, friends, or partners.