The Italian Validation of the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people experience high levels of minority stress and associated risk for negative mental health outcomes. Notwithstanding, TGNC people may resist the negative effects of minority stress on health through the resilience factors. As no comprehensive measures of gender minority stress and resilience exist in Italy, this study evaluated the psychometric characteristics of an Italian language version of the Gender and Minority Stress and Resilience Measure (GMSR) in an Italian sample of 203 TGNC individuals ranged from 18 to 66 years of age (M = 30.70, SD = 10.79). The GMSR, developed in the United States in 2015, assesses distal stressors (discrimination, rejection, victimization, and nonaffirmation), proximal stressors (internalized transphobia, negative expectations, and nondisclosure), and resilience factors (pride and community connectedness). Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the original 9-factor model had adequate fit to the data obtained from the Italian sample. Criterion validity was partially confirmed, as the stress scales positively correlated with anxiety and depression, and pride negatively correlated with depression, but not anxiety. On the contrary, community connectedness did not correlate with any of the mental health measures. Instead, both convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed as both distal and proximal stressors positively correlated with perceived stress, community connectedness was positively associated with perceived support from friends, and all correlations were below .60. This study offers evidence of the reliability and validity of the GMSR in the Italian context, providing Italian clinicians and researchers with a comprehensive tool to assess gender minority stress in TGNC individuals

Testing a model of minority identity achievement, identity affirmation, and psychological well-being among ethnic minority and sexual minority individuals

How is social identity related to psychological well-being among minority individuals? Drawing on developmental models of identity formation (e.g., Erikson, 1968) and on Social Identity Theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), we tested a conceptual model examining links between two key aspects of social identity and psychological well-being. We proposed that the association between identity achievement (exploring and understanding the meaning of one\u27s identity) and psychological well-being is mediated by identity affirmation (developing positive feelings and a sense of belonging to one\u27s social group). Across three studies, including ethnic minority high school students (Study 1), ethnic minority college students (Study 2) and lesbian and gay male adults (Study 3), we found strong support for the model. Results suggest that the process of exploring and understanding one\u27s minority identity can serve as an important basis for developing positive feelings toward and an enhanced sense of attachment to the group, which can in turn confer psychological benefits for minority individuals. Implications and directions for future research are discussed

Social Services for Sexual Minority Youth: Preferences for What, Where, and How Services are Delivered

As part of an internet-based study to investigate experiences of sexual minority youth in the U.S., 544 youth, ages 14-19, were surveyed about their need for services, where they preferred to receive these services, and their preferred method of service delivery. The survey was anonymous and youth were recruited from LGBTQ-specific listservs and venues as well as through social networking sites as a way of reaching youth often not represented in LGBTQ surveys. Youth highly endorsed many types of services, settings, and modes of delivery. Some subgroup differences emerged. Transgender youth and those uncertain about their gender identity expressed stronger interest than others in services to address stress, family issues, and self-defense, and in receiving support and guidance from LGBTQ adults. Few differences in service preferences along demographic lines such as race/ethnicity emerged; however, African American youth were more likely than others to prefer services offered in a place of worship. Contrary to predictions, geographic and community variables were not related to service type, delivery format, or location preferences

Perceived psychosocial impacts of legalized same-sex marriage: A scoping review of sexual minority adults’ experiences

A growing body of literature provides important insights into the meaning and impact of the right to marry a same-sex partner among sexual minority people. We conducted a scoping review to 1) identify and describe the psychosocial impacts of equal marriage rights among sexual minority adults, and 2) explore sexual minority women (SMW) perceptions of equal marriage rights and whether psychosocial impacts differ by sex. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework we reviewed peer-reviewed English-language publications from 2000 through 2019. We searched six databases (PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, JSTOR, and Sociological Abstracts) to identify English language, peer-reviewed journal articles reporting findings from empirical studies with an explicit focus on the experiences and perceived impact of equal marriage rights among sexual minority adults. We found 59 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Studies identified positive psychosocial impacts of same-sex marriage (e.g., increased social acceptance, reduced stigma) across individual, interpersonal (dyad, family), community (sexual minority), and broader societal levels. Studies also found that, despite equal marriage rights, sexual minority stigma persists across these levels. Only a few studies examined differences by sex, and findings were mixed. Research to date has several limitations; for example, it disproportionately represents samples from the U.S. and White populations, and rarely examines differences by sexual or gender identity or other demographic characteristics. There is a need for additional research on the impact of equal marriage rights and same-sex marriage on the health and well-being of diverse sexual minorities across the globe

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Affirmative Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is highly effective for a wide range of problems; however, few studies address its use with lesbian, gay, or bisexual clients. Furthermore, although many cognitive-behavioral techniques are similar for heterosexual and nonheterosexual clients, cultural sensitivity and knowledge will enhance the use of CBT techniques and, if neglected, can hinder treatment. This chapter addresses the use of a culturally sensitive, affirmative CBT in treating lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients. We include two case examples to illustrate some of the presenting concerns of LGB clients and some of the ways in which CBT approaches might be implemented in a culturally sensitive manner. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved