Sexual orientation as social justice faultline: the role of stigmatised identities and minority community solidarity in social inequalities in wellbeing.

Social views of sexual interest in same-sex partners continue to vary widely. Depending on historical era and cultural context, homosexuality is variously regarded as a sin, a mental disorder, a choice or an innate characteristic. As sexual minorities, lesbian, gay and bisexual people continue to experience social stigma and marginalization to a greater or lesser extent, despite increased acceptance in many, mostly Western counties. The social stigma affecting LGB people reflects the prevailing expectations of heterosexuality and gender conformity, and the negative stereotyping of people who do not meet these expectations. Social stigma compromises the social identity of LGB people. LGB social stigma is also a formidable social justice fault line that adversely affects the social inclusion and mental and physical health of LGB people. This social inequality in health and wellbeing is a result of the additional, minority, stressors that LGB people uniquely face, including experiences of discrimination, expectations of rejection, internalized stigma, and concerns regarding disclosure. The solidarity of LGB communities and their heterosexual allies is critical to providing social support that contributes to the wellbeing of LGB people, enabling personal contact that promotes attitude change, and facilitating the collective activism required to achieve social justice for LGB people

Evaluation and enumeration of online test providers for sexually transmitted infections, specifically chlamydia, in the Netherlands

Acknowledgements We thank all the experts who assisted in the assessment of the quality indicators for the weighing. In addition, we thank all the self-test and self-sample test providers whom we were able to contact and provided the valuable information in the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

People with long-term conditions are more adherent to protective behaviours against infectious disease

We thank all respondents for giving their time to respond to the survey.Peer reviewe

Development of transmission-reducing behaviour adherence measure (TRAM) for monitoring and predicting transmission-reducing behaviours during the pandemic

There is a need for a measure to monitor adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs) during pandemics. An adherence measure can monitor current TRBs, assess change over time and, potentially, predict later behaviours. The TRB adherence measure (scale consisting of seven items) includes questions based on government behavioural directives in Scotland that were common internationally, i.e., physical distancing, face covering and hand hygiene. Data were collected weekly for 6 weeks at the beginning of the pandemic, including a later follow-up repeated measure of some participants, in 20-minute structured telephone surveys with a nationally representative random sample of adults in Scotland. A total of 2969 people completed the adherence items and were highly adherent. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional scale (CFI = .95; TLI = .93; RMSEA = .08; SRMR = .08), although internal consistency was low (Cronbach’s alpha = .49). The adherence score significantly predicted adherence to a validity test item (ΔR2 = .114, F(1,2964) = 379.76, p < .001). It also predicted adherence to TRBs later over and above personal habitual styles (Creature of Habit Scale: COHS). The adherence score has been developed for routine monitoring of adherence to TRBs during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used to predict future similar behaviours and adherence to other behaviours, although it may be necessary to explore adherence to the specific behaviours occasionally. Adherent behaviour for one TRB is likely to be associated with adherence to government directives to other TRBs. Importantly, these TRBs are likely to be crucial in reducing COVID-19 case numbers, as well as protecting against other infectious diseases including influenza and the common cold

An experimental COVID-19 messaging study in a representative sample of the Scottish population: Increasing physical distancing intentions through self-efficacy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful to all the participants of the Scottish Health Council (SHC) Public Engagement Group and the NHS Research Scotland Primary Care Patient and Public Involvement. CHARIS was funded via a grant from the Chief Scientist Office, Edinburgh (COV/ABN/20/07).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

People with long-term conditions are more adherent to protective behaviours against infectious disease

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between long-term condition status and adherence to protective behaviours against infectious disease (face covering, physical distancing, hand hygiene).Study designRepresentative cross-sectional observational survey in summer 2020 in Scotland.MethodsIndependent variable is LTC status (LTC, disability, no LTC); dependent variable is adherence to protective behaviours (face covering, hand hygiene, social distancing); moderator variables are age, gender and area deprivation; mediator variables are perceived threat and psychological distress. P values of p < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.Results3972 participants of whom 2696 (67.9%) indicated not having a LTC. People with no LTC had lowest adherence to protective behaviours, perceived threat and psychological distress. Age did not moderate the relationship between LTC status and adherence; females were more adherent than males and this gender difference was greater in people with disability compared to people with no LTC; for people with a LTC adherence was greater in the more deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas whereas adherence in those with no LTC was not related to area deprivation; threat appraisal partially mediated the relationship between having a LTC or disability and adherence; psychological distress did not mediate the relationship between LTC status and adherence.ConclusionsThis study addresses a gap in evidence about protective behaviours of people with LTCs. Perceptions of threat may be useful intervention targets against winter flu and during future pandemics in order to protect people with LTCs who are one of the most vulnerable groups of the population

Using behavioural theory to understand adherence to behaviours that reduce transmission of Covid-19:evidence from the CHARIS representative national study

Objectives: To examine the ability of four models of behaviour, namely, Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM) and Social Cognitive Theory and the Reasoned Action Approach (SCT and RAA) to understand adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs) advised by national governments for suppression of SARS-CoV2. Design: A series of six cross-sectional telephone surveys of a random representative sample of adults living in Scotland. Methods: Self-reported adherence to three TRBs (physical distancing, wearing a face covering and hand washing), PMT, CS-SRM and SCT/RAA constructs, and sociodemographic variables were measured each week for 6-weeks (n=~500p/w; 3rd June-15th July) via a 15min telephone survey. Results: Adherence was high (‘Always’ or ‘Most times’) throughout for physical distancing and hand washing, and, when mandated, for wearing a face covering. Older people were more adherent to all TRBs. Constructs from all three models predicted all three TRBs. Intention and self-efficacy (SCT/RAA) were the only beliefs to predict to all three TRBs each week and for all groups equally; intention was the strongest predictor. The predictive utility of PMT and CS-SRM varied by TRB and by group. Of note was the observation that several illness beliefs were associated with adherence only for those who believed they had not had Covid-19. Conclusions: The CHARIS project has identified beliefs about specific behaviours, the illness and the risks associated with lower adherence rates that might be addressed in national interventions. It confirms previous findings that some groups show lower levels of adherence and might be specially targeted

Development of transmission-reducing behaviour adherence measure (TRAM) for monitoring and predicting transmission-reducing behaviours during the pandemic

Funding Information: We would like to thank the participants, the Scotland-wide consortium of 33 behavioural and health scientists, and our PPI Groups. CHARIS was funded via a grant from the Chief Scientist Office, Edinburgh (COV/ABN/20/07). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

How Parents’ Ideals are Offset by Uncertainty and Fears : A Systematic Review of the Experiences of European Parents regarding the Sexual Education of Their Children

Funding Information: This study is part of a project funded by Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Seksualiteit under grant 19.006. The authors thank Kristin Jansen, Oka Storms, Hannan Nhass, Simon Timmerman, Nelleke Westerveld, Wilma Schakenraad and Shirin Eftekharijam from Movisie, the Dutch National Centre of Expertise of Social Issues. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Sexually transmitted infection prevention behaviours: Health impact, prevalence, correlates, and interventions

Objective: Sexually transmitted infections remain a major public health threat globally, which disproportionately affect young people, and men who have sex with men. We review the current state of behavioural science research on STI prevention behaviour, including the definition, health impacts, correlates and determinants, and individual and environmental interventions to promote STI prevention behaviour. Design: Narrative review. Results: The range of STI prevention behaviours has extended substantially in the past decade, from an initial focus on abstinence, partner reduction and condom use, to also include other approaches, notably treatment-as-prevention, pre-exposure prophylaxis (i.e., the use of drugs for treatment by uninfected people), and vaccination for some STI. Also, the prior dominance of a social-cognitive perspective on behavioural determinants and interventions has been replaced by a social-ecological approach highlighting the complex interplay of multilevel correlates and determinants that underpins interventions addressing individual, social as well as structural factors. Conclusion: STI prevention theory and practice have evolved substantially, posing critical challenges and opportunities for health psychology and other behavioural sciences. While manifold, these amount to a need for health behaviour theorizing that embeds proximal determinants in an understanding of environmental influences and provides practical guidance for interventions adapted to specific contexts