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Psaros C, Stanton AM, Goodman GR, Blyler A, Vangel M, Labbe AK, Robbins GK, Park ER. A resiliency intervention adapted for older women with HIV: Results from a pilot randomized controlled trial in the northeastern US. J Health Psychol 2024:13591053241253050. [PMID: 38761072 DOI: 10.1177/13591053241253050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aging with HIV often results in psychosocial and health-related challenges for women; however, no resiliency interventions exist for older women with HIV (WWH). WWH aged ≥50 were randomized to 10 group sessions of an adapted resiliency intervention or time-matched supportive psychotherapy. Assessments were conducted at three timepoints. Feasibility and acceptability metrics were defined a priori; differences in resilience, stress coping, anxiety, and depression across timepoints were assessed. Overall, 44 WWH enrolled; participants were 58 years old on average, and 56.4% identified as Black/African American. Among those who attended any sessions, all feasibility metrics were met, and the intervention was acceptable. The interaction of study arm and time was associated with significant decreases in depression and a trend toward significant decreases in anxiety. The intervention was not associated with changes in resilience or stress coping. Adjusting delivery modality may further reduce barriers to attendance, improving feasibility and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georgia R Goodman
- Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, USA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, USA
| | - Abigail Blyler
- Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- University of Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mark Vangel
- Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- Harvard Medical School, USA
| | - Allison K Labbe
- Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- Harvard Medical School, USA
| | | | - Elyse R Park
- Massachusetts General Hospital, USA
- Harvard Medical School, USA
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Lee JS, Batchelder AW, Stanton AM, Westphal L, Klevens RM, Mayer KH, O'Cleirigh C. Structural vulnerabilities and PrEP awareness among Boston heterosexuals and people who inject drugs at risk for HIV: findings from 2018 to 2019 cycles from the Boston, MA site of the NHBS. AIDS Care 2024; 36:641-651. [PMID: 38091449 PMCID: PMC10994762 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2288646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Little is known about biopsychosocial factors relating to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness among people with either heterosexual or injection drug use HIV risk behaviors. Participants engaged in vaginal/anal sex with a person of the opposite sex (N = 515) or were people who injected drugs (PWID; N = 451) in the past 12 months from 2018-2019 in Boston, MA. We examined associations between PrEP awareness and: homelessness; perceived HIV-related stigma; country of birth; bacterial STDs, chlamydia, and/or gonorrhea in the past 12 months, lifetime hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, sexual orientation, and poverty. More PWID (36.8%) were aware of PrEP than people with heterosexual HIV risk (28%; p = .001). Among people with heterosexual risk, homelessness (aOR = 1.99, p = .003), and among PWID: homelessness (aOR = 2.11, p = .032); bacterial STD (aOR = 2.96, p = .012); chlamydia (aOR = 6.14, p = .008); and HCV (aOR = 2.40, p < .001) were associated with increased likelihood of PrEP awareness. In the combined sample: homelessness (aOR = 2.25, p < .001); HCV (aOR = 2.18, p < .001); identifying as homosexual (aOR = 3.71, p = .036); and bisexual (aOR = 1.55, p = .016) were each associated with PrEP awareness. Although having an STD, HCV, identifying as homosexual or bisexual, and experiencing homelessness were associated with increased PrEP awareness, most participants were unaware of PrEP. Efforts to increase PrEP awareness could engage PWID and heterosexual HIV risk behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- J S Lee
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A W Batchelder
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A M Stanton
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - L Westphal
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - R M Klevens
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - K H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - C O'Cleirigh
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Stanton AM, Boyd RL, O’Cleirigh C, Olivier S, Dolotina B, Gunda R, Koole O, Gareta D, Modise TH, Reynolds Z, Khoza T, Herbst K, Ndung’u T, Hanekom WA, Wong EB, Pillay D, Siedner MJ. HIV, multimorbidity, and health-related quality of life in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: A population-based study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0293963. [PMID: 38381724 PMCID: PMC10880982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assesses the perceived impact of health status across life domains. Although research has explored the relationship between specific conditions, including HIV, and HRQoL in low-resource settings, less attention has been paid to the association between multimorbidity and HRQoL. In a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the Vukuzazi ("Wake up and know ourselves" in isiZulu) study, which identified the prevalence and overlap of non-communicable and infectious diseases in the uMkhanyakunde district of KwaZulu-Natal, we (1) evaluated the impact of multimorbidity on HRQoL; (2) determined the relative associations among infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and HRQoL; and (3) examined the effects of controlled versus non-controlled disease on HRQoL. HRQoL was measured using the EQ-5D-3L, which assesses overall perceived health, five specific domains (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression), and three levels of problems (no problems, some problems, and extreme problems). Six diseases and disease states were included in this analysis: HIV, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and TB. After examining the degree to which number of conditions affects HRQoL, we estimated the effect of joint associations among combinations of diseases, each HRQoL domain, and overall health. Then, in one set of ridge regression models, we assessed the relative impact of HIV, diabetes, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, and tuberculosis on the HRQoL domains; in a second set of models, the contribution of treatment (controlled vs. uncontrolled disease) was added. A total of 14,008 individuals were included in this analysis. Having more conditions adversely affected perceived health (r = -0.060, p<0.001, 95% CI: -0.073 to -0.046) and all HRQoL domains. Infectious conditions were related to better perceived health (r = 0.051, p<0.001, 95% CI: 0.037 to 0.064) and better HRQoL, whereas non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were associated with worse perceived health (r = -0.124, p<0.001, -95% CI: 0.137 to -0.110) and lower HRQoL. Particular combinations of NCDs were detrimental to perceived health, whereas HIV, which was characterized by access to care and suppressed viral load in the large majority of those affected, was counterintuitively associated with better perceived health. With respect to disease control, unique combinations of uncontrolled NCDs were significantly related to worse perceived health, and controlled HIV was associated with better perceived health. The presence of controlled and uncontrolled NCDs was associated with poor perceived health and worse HRQoL, whereas the presence of controlled HIV was associated with improved HRQoL. HIV disease control may be critical for HRQoL among people with HIV, and incorporating NCD prevention and attention to multimorbidity into healthcare strategies may improve HRQoL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M. Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ryan L. Boyd
- The Obelus Institute, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Conall O’Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Stephen Olivier
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Brett Dolotina
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Resign Gunda
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- School of Nursing and Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Olivier Koole
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Dickman Gareta
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | | | - Zahra Reynolds
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Thandeka Khoza
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Kobus Herbst
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- DSI-MRC South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN), South African Medical Research Council, Durban, South Africa
| | - Thumbi Ndung’u
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Willem A. Hanekom
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily B. Wong
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Deenan Pillay
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark J. Siedner
- Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Safren SA, Lee JS, Andersen LS, Stanton AM, Kagee A, Kirakosian N, O'Cleirigh C, Joska JA. The salience of structural barriers and behavioral health problems to ART adherence in people receiving HIV primary care in South Africa. AIDS Care 2024:1-7. [PMID: 38359349 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2308750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Multilevel factors (individual and structural) influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy, particularly in high HIV prevalence areas such as South Africa. The present study examined the relative importance of structural barriers to HIV care and behavioral health factors, depression and alcohol use, in Khayelitsha, Cape Town, South Africa. People receiving HIV care in six primary care clinics in Khayelitsha (N = 194) completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, the Structural Barriers to Medication Taking questionnaire, and a qualitative rating of past-two-week adherence. Correlations were employed to examine associations among these variables, and hierarchical regression analysis was used to examine the unique effects of structural barriers over and above depression and alcohol use as predictors of adherence. Participants were primarily Black South African (99%) women (83%), and 41 years old on average. All four variables were significantly correlated. The hierarchical regression analysis showed that among behavioral health predictors, alcohol use alone significantly predicted ART adherence (b = -.032, p = .002). When structural barriers was added to the model, it was the only significant unique predictor of ART adherence (b = -1.58, p < .001). Findings highlight the need to consider structural vulnerabilities in HIV care in South Africa when developing behavioral health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Jasper S Lee
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lena S Andersen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ashraf Kagee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Norik Kirakosian
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John A Joska
- HIV Mental Health Research Unit, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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O'Cleirigh C, Foley JD, Stanton AM, McKetchnie SM, Gulbicki LR, Muten J, Chai P, Fitch C, Onofrey S, Klevens RM, Psaros C. Sexual Networking and HIV/STI Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men and Identify as Persons of Color in the Era of COVID-19 in Boston, MA: Qualitative Findings from the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:473-487. [PMID: 38165597 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04238-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Men who have sex with men and identify as persons of color (MSM of color) are significantly impacted by HIV in the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic may have disproportionately exacerbated HIV-related disparities among MSM of color by affecting sexual networking behaviors and disrupting access to sexual health care. The current study explored the impact of COVID-19 on sexual networking and HIV/sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention behaviors among MSM of color in Boston, MA. Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted via the 2020-2021 Boston sample of the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance (NHBS) project. Eligible participants were at least 18 years old, identified as a man or non-binary person assigned male at birth and as a person of color, and endorsed ever having sex with men. Interviews were coded using inductive and deductive approaches, and themes were extracted using thematic analysis. When participants were asked about the impact of COVID-19 on sexual networking and HIV/STI prevention, the following themes emerged: (1) differing interpretations of COVID-19 public health guidance, (2) behavior change to meet social and sexual needs, (3) limited or changed access to HIV/STI prevention services; and (4) avoidance of healthcare appointments. Overall, the pandemic affected sexual networking and HIV/STI prevention behaviors among MSM of color. Though changes in sexual networking varied, most participants decreased in-person networking, increased dating app use, and prioritized longer-term relationships. Despite loosening of restrictions, these impacts may persist and should inform the adaptation of sexual networking guidance and interventions to mitigate HIV-related disparities in communities of color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conall O'Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Jacklyn D Foley
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha M McKetchnie
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lauren R Gulbicki
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Muten
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Peter Chai
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrated Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Calvin Fitch
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shauna Onofrey
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Seehuus M, Fertig M, Handy AB, Clifton J, Stanton AM. The impact of COVID-19 and long COVID on sexual function in cisgender women. J Sex Med 2024; 21:129-144. [PMID: 38055615 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that COVID-19 impairs sexual function in men, but little is known about the impact of COVID-19 (or long COVID) on sexual function in women. AIM We sought to compare the sexual function of cisgender women who had never had COVID-19, who had COVID-19 but not long COVID, and who had long COVID, and assessed whether long COVID symptoms and/or emotional distress mediate the relationship between COVID-19 history and sexual function. METHODS In total, 2329 adult cisgender women were recruited online as study participants. Half of these women reported having had COVID-19, and the other half reported never having had COVID-19. Of those who had COVID-19, 25% (n = 170) reported having long COVID. We compared the mean Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores by using t-tests for each of the primary comparison categories (never COVID vs COVID and only COVID vs long COVID). Four path models were used to test the hypotheses that (1) long COVID symptoms or (2) depression, anxiety, and/or stress assessed with the subscales of the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) mediated the relationship between COVID-19 and sexual function. OUTCOMES Sexual function was measured with the FSFI, long COVID symptoms were assessed using the Centers for Disease Control working symptom set, and emotional distress was measured with the DASS-21. RESULTS In total, 1313 participants provided data suitable for analysis. The never-COVID group (n = 645, 49.1%) had higher scores on the Desire, Arousal, Lubrication, and Satisfaction subscales of the FSFI (mean [M] [SD] FSFI total Mnever COVID = 27.98 [4.84] vs MCOVID = 27.05 [5.21]) than the combined only-COVID (n = 498, 37.9%) and long-COVID (n = 170, 12.9%) groups. The FSFI subscale scores were significantly higher in the only-COVID group than in the long-COVID group for the Arousal, Lubrication, and Orgasm and lower for the Pain subscales and higher for overall sexual function (FSFI total Monly COVID = 27.49 [5.00] vs Mlong COVID = 25.77 [5.61]. None of the proposed mediation models had adequate model fit. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Clinicians treating cisgender women who have COVID-19 should consider proactively discussing sexual function with their patients and offering available resources. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS In this study we used a large and diverse sample, but this sample did not include transgender or gender-diverse persons. This study was also correlational; as such, causal conclusions cannot be drawn. Further, the mechanism of action remains unexplained. CONCLUSIONS The study findings suggest the following: (1) COVID-19 infection is associated with impaired sexual function in cisgender women, and (2) that women with long COVID experienced incrementally more impaired sexual function than women with COVID-19 who did not develop long COVID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Seehuus
- Department of Psychology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, United States
- Vermont Psychological Services, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
| | - Madison Fertig
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
| | | | - Jessica Clifton
- Department of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, United States
- Parhelia Wellness, Santa Rosa, CA, United States
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
- Fenway Health, Boston, MA, United States
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Joska JA, Lee JS, Andersen LS, Stanton AM, O' Clereigh C, Safren S. "Trajectories of treatment response in a cognitive-behavioral therapy intervention for depression and adherence in persons with HIV in South Africa". J Affect Disord 2023; 343:136-143. [PMID: 37797752 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People with HIV (PHW) are at greater risk of depression than the general population. Insight into the time-to-treatment-response and predictors of response to psychotherapy may improve implementation in primary care. METHODS We assessed depression treatment response among 80 participants in a trial of cognitive-behavioral therapy for adherence and depression (CBT-AD) for PWH with MDD and suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Participants self-reported depressive symptoms (CESD) at each therapy session. Clinicians assessed participants' depression (HAMD), along with potential predictors of response, every four months for one year. Latent class analyses examined classes of responders for the active and the post-treatment phases. Regression analyses identified predictors of class membership for each phase. RESULTS During the active treatment phase (CESD) we identified an early response (at session 2 and with continued trajectory of improvement) and a non-response group. There were also two classes during post-treatment (HAM-D): early responders (4-month) and late responders (12-month). Distress aversion was associated with lower likelihood of early response to CBT-AD (aOR = 0.74, 95%CI[0.56-0.90], p = .009), and social support was associated with increased likelihood of early response (aOR = 2.24, 95%CI[1.07-5.46], p = .045). LIMITATIONS Self-reported depression during the treatment phase may have resulted from social desirability bias. CONCLUSIONS Most participants responded to CBT-AD early during treatment (89 %) and had sustained improvements in depression by 4 months (80 %). Distress aversion was a risk factor for late response, and social support was protective. Future research is needed to assess the optimal dose of CBT-AD in resource limited settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Joska
- HIV Mental Health Research Unit, Neuroscience Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Jasper S Lee
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lena S Andersen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Conall O' Clereigh
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Wirtz MR, Stanton AM, Manohar R, Labbe AK, Zvolensky MJ, Smits JAJ, Hoeppner B, O’Cleirigh C. The Relationship Between Cigarette Dependence and Cessation Methods: Implications for Smoking Cessation Among People With HIV. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 2023; 84:772-780. [PMID: 37219036 PMCID: PMC10600974 DOI: 10.15288/jsad.22-00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE These analyses investigate how dependence may be related to cessation method choice and how this relationship may vary by subpopulation among people with HIV (PWH) who smoke cigarettes. METHOD PWH who smoke (N = 71) were recruited from clinics in Boston, MA. The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) and Smoking History Questionnaire (SHQ) were completed to assess for cigarette dependence, past-week cigarettes per day (CPD), and past cessation method use. Logistic regression examined the association between dependence and previous cessation methods for the whole sample, and moderation analyses assessed this relationship by age and race. RESULTS Higher FTND was associated with less use of behavioral modification methods (odds ratio [OR] = 0.658, 95% CI [0.435, 0.994], p = .047). Higher past-week CPD was associated with use of the American Cancer Society/American Lung Association (ACS/ALA) programs (OR = 1.159, 95% CI [1.011, 1.328], p = .035) and telephone counselling (OR = 1.142, 95% CI [1.006, 1.295], p = .040]). Older participants with more past-week CPD were more likely to have used the ACS/ALA programs (B = 0.0169, 95% CI [0.0008, 0.0331], p = .0401), and White participants with more past-week CPD were less likely to have tried to quit "cold turkey" (B = 0.1676, 95% CI [0.0027, 0.3326], p = .0464). CONCLUSIONS These preliminary results suggest that there is likely not a "one-size-fits-all" approach to cessation for PWH who smoke, especially within subpopulations (i.e., age and race). Implications include ensuring access to multiple cessation methods, identifying methods that could be culturally appropriate outside of the clinical intervention setting, and providing education and support on cessation methods offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan R. Wirtz
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, New York
| | - Amelia M. Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
- The Fenway Health Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rohin Manohar
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Allison K. Labbe
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael J. Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
- Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
- HEALTH Institute, University of Houston, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Bettina Hoeppner
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Conall O’Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- The Fenway Health Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Lee JS, Bainter SA, Tsai AC, Andersen LS, Stanton AM, Magidson JF, Kagee A, Joska JA, O'Cleirigh C, Safren SA. Intersecting Relationships of Psychosocial and Structural Syndemic Problems Among People with HIV in South Africa: Using Network Analysis to Identify Influential Problems. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:1741-1756. [PMID: 36309936 PMCID: PMC10148921 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03906-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
In South Africa, little is known about interrelationships between syndemic problems among people with HIV (PWH). A better understanding of syndemic problems may yield important information regarding factors amenable to mitigation. We surveyed 194 PWH in Khayelitsha, outside of Cape Town, South Africa. We used network analysis to examine the frequency of 10 syndemic problems and their interrelationships. Syndemic problems among PWH in South Africa were common; 159 (82.8%) participants reported at least 2 co-occurring syndemic problems and 90 (46.9%) endorsed 4 or more. Network analysis revealed seven statistically significant associations. The most central problems were depression, substance use, and food insecurity. Three clusters of syndemics were identified: mood and violence; structural factors; and behavioral factors. Depression, substance use, and food insecurity commonly co-occur among PWH in sub-Saharan Africa and interfere with HIV outcomes. Network analysis can identify intervention targets to potentially improve HIV treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper S Lee
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Sq, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Sierra A Bainter
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Alexander C Tsai
- Center for Global Health and Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lena S Andersen
- Global Health Section, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Ashraf Kagee
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - John A Joska
- HIV Mental Health Research Unit, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Sq, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
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Stanton AM, Goodman GR, Robbins GK, Looby SE, Williams M, Psaros C, Raggio G. Preventing cardiovascular disease in midlife women with HIV: An examination of facilitators and barriers to heart health behaviors. J Women Aging 2023; 35:223-242. [PMID: 35201972 PMCID: PMC9399314 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2022.2030203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Midlife women with HIV (WWH) are disproportionately impacted by cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet little is known about perceptions of CVD risk and the factors that influence engagement in heart health behaviors in this population. Few (if any) studies have used a qualitative approach to examine these perceptions, which has important implications for minimizing the negative impact of HIV-related noncommunicable diseases, the risk for which increases after midlife. Eighteen midlife WWH (aged 40-59) in Boston, MA, completed semistructured interviews to explore perceptions of CVD, HIV, and barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Interviews were analyzed via thematic analysis. Participants viewed heart health as important but were unaware of HIV-associated CVD risk. Facilitators included family and generational influences, social support, and access to resources. Physical symptoms, menopause, mental health challenges, and limited financial resources were barriers. Midlife WWH may benefit from tailored CVD prevention interventions that target their unique motivations and barriers to healthy behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Georgia R Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gregory K Robbins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara E Looby
- Metabolism Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marcel Williams
- Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Greer Raggio
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- National Center for Weight and Wellness, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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11
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Stanton AM, Blyler AP, Mosery N, Goodman GR, Vanderkruik R, Sithole K, Bedoya CA, Smit J, Psaros C. "I am scared, I do not want to lie": exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on engagement in care, perceived health, relationship dynamics, and parenting among postpartum women with HIV in South Africa. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:223. [PMID: 37013509 PMCID: PMC10068701 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05520-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND COVID-19 and efforts to manage widespread infection may compromise HIV care engagement. The COVID-19-related factors linked to reduced HIV engagement have not been assessed among postpartum women with HIV, who are at heightened risk of attrition under non-pandemic circumstances. To mitigate the effects of the pandemic on care engagement and to prepare for future public health crises, it is critical to understand how COVID-19 has impacted (1) engagement in care and (2) factors that may act as barriers to care engagement. METHODS A quantitative assessment of COVID-19-related experiences was added to a longitudinal cohort study assessing predictors of postpartum attrition from HIV care among women in South Africa. Participants (N = 266) completed the assessment at 6, 12, 18, or 24 months postpartum between June and November of 2020. Those who endorsed one or more challenge related to engagement in care (making or keeping HIV care appointments, procuring HIV medications, procuring contraception, and/or accessing immunization services for infants; n = 55) were invited to complete a brief qualitative interview, which explored the specific factors driving these challenges, as well as other impacts of COVID-19 on care engagement. Within this subset, 53 participants completed an interview; qualitative data were analyzed via rapid analysis. RESULTS Participants described key challenges that reduced their engagement in HIV care and identified four other domains of COVID-19-related impacts: physical health, mental health, relationship with a partner or with the father of the baby, and motherhood/caring for the new baby. Within these domains, specific themes and subthemes emerged, with some positive impacts of COVID-19 also reported (e.g., increased quality time, improved communication with partner, HIV disclosure). Coping strategies for COVID-19-related challenges (e.g., acceptance, spirituality, distraction) were also discussed. CONCLUSIONS About one in five participants reported challenges accessing HIV care, medications, or services, and they faced complex, multilayered barriers to remaining engaged. Physical health, mental health, relationships with partners, and ability to care for their infant were also affected. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic and general uncertainty about its course, ongoing assessment of pandemic-related challenges among postpartum women is needed to avoid HIV care disruptions and to support wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail P Blyler
- Department of Psychology, Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| | - Nzwakie Mosery
- Wits MatCH Research Unit (WMRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Georgia R Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel Vanderkruik
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kedibone Sithole
- Wits MatCH Research Unit (WMRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - C Andres Bedoya
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Smit
- Wits MatCH Research Unit (WMRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Psaros C, Stanton AM, Raggio GA, Mosery N, Goodman GR, Briggs ES, Williams M, Bangsberg D, Smit J, Safren SA. Optimizing PMTCT Adherence by Treating Depression in Perinatal Women with HIV in South Africa: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Behav Med 2023; 30:62-76. [PMID: 35260947 PMCID: PMC9452601 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-022-10071-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND South Africa (SA) has the greatest HIV prevalence in the world, with rates as high as 40% among pregnant women. Depression is a robust predictor of nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and engagement in HIV care; perinatal depression may affect upwards of 47% of women in SA. Evidence-based, scalable approaches for depression treatment and ART adherence in this setting are lacking. METHOD Twenty-three pregnant women with HIV (WWH), ages 18-45 and receiving ART, were randomized to a psychosocial depression and adherence intervention or treatment as usual (TAU) to evaluate intervention feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effect on depressive symptoms and ART adherence. Assessments were conducted pre-, immediately post-, and 3 months post-treatment, and included a qualitative exit interview. RESULTS Most (67.6%) eligible individuals enrolled; 71% completed at least 75% of sessions. Compared to TAU, intervention participants had significantly greater improvements in depressive symptoms at post-treatment, β = - 11.1, t(24) = - 3.1, p < 0.005, 95% CI [- 18.41, - 3.83], and 3 months, β = - 13.8, t(24) = - 3.3, p < 0.005, 95% CI [- 22.50, - 5.17]. No significant differences in ART adherence, social support, or stigma were found. Qualitatively, perceived improvements in social support, self-esteem, and problem-solving adherence barriers emerged as key benefits of the intervention; additional sessions were desired. CONCLUSION A combined depression and ART adherence intervention appears feasible and acceptable, and demonstrated preliminary evidence of efficacy in a high-need population. Additional research is needed to confirm efficacy and identify dissemination strategies to optimize the health of WWH and their children. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03069417. Protocol available at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03069417.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- , Boston, USA.
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Greer A Raggio
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- National Center for Weight and Wellness, Washington, D.C., USA
| | - Nzwakie Mosery
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Georgia R Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elsa S Briggs
- Department of Health Systems & Population Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Community Health Science, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marcel Williams
- Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C., USA
| | | | - Jenni Smit
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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Stanton AM, Blyler AP, Mosery N, Goodman GR, Vanderkruik R, Sithole K, Bedoya CA, Smit J, Psaros C. "I am scared, I do not want to lie": Exploring the impacts of COVID-19 on engagement in care, perceived health, relationship dynamics, and parenting among postpartum women with HIV in South Africa. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-2463315. [PMID: 36711876 PMCID: PMC9882635 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2463315/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background COVID-19 and efforts to manage widespread infection may compromise HIV care engagement. The COVID-19-related factors linked to reduced HIV engagement have not been assessed among postpartum women with HIV, who are at heightened risk of attrition under non-pandemic circumstances. To mitigate the effects of the pandemic on care engagement and to prepare for future public health crises, it is critical to understand how COVID-19 has impacted (1) engagement in care and (2) factors that may act as barriers to care engagement. Methods A quantitative assessment of COVID-19-related experiences was added to a longitudinal cohort study assessing predictors of postpartum attrition from HIV care among women in South Africa. Participants (N = 266) completed the assessment at 6, 12, 18, or 24 months postpartum between June and November of 2020. Those who endorsed one or more challenge related to engagement in care (making or keeping HIV care appointments, procuring HIV medications, procuring contraception, and/or accessing immunization services for infants; n = 55) were invited to complete a brief qualitative interview, which explored the specific factors driving these challenges, as well as other impacts of COVID-19 on care engagement. Within this subset, 53 participants completed an interview; qualitative data were analyzed via rapid analysis. Results Participants described key challenges that reduced their engagement in HIV care and identified four other domains of COVID-19-related impacts: physical health, mental health, relationship with a partner or with the father of the baby, and motherhood/caring for the new baby. Within these domains, specific themes and subthemes emerged, with some positive impacts of COVID-19 also reported (e.g., increased quality time, improved communication with partner, HIV disclosure). Coping strategies for COVID-19-related challenges (e.g., acceptance, spirituality, distraction) were also discussed. Conclusions About one in five participants reported challenges accessing HIV care, medications, or services, and they faced complex, multilayered barriers to remaining engaged. Physical health, mental health, relationships with partners, and ability to care for their infant were also affected. Given the dynamic nature of the pandemic and general uncertainty about its course, ongoing assessment of pandemic-related challenges among postpartum women is needed to avoid HIV care disruptions and to support wellbeing.
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14
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Kirakosian N, Stanton AM, McKetchnie SM, King D, Dolotina B, O'Cleirigh C, Grasso C, Potter J, Mayer KH, Batchelder AW. Suicidal Ideation Disparities Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Compared to Cisgender Community Health Patients. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1357-1365. [PMID: 36650322 PMCID: PMC9844943 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07996-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals experience more severe psychological distress and may be at higher risk for suicide compared to cisgender individuals. The existing literature largely consists of small-sample studies that do not assess subgroup differences. OBJECTIVE To examine rates of self-reported suicidal ideation among four TGD groups compared to cisgender individuals. DESIGN Data were extracted from the electronic health records of patients receiving primary care at a community health center specializing in sexual and gender minority health. A logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between sociodemographic variables and the presence of current suicidal ideation. PARTICIPANTS 29,988 patients receiving care at a community health center in Northeastern US between 2015 and 2018. MAIN MEASURES Demographic questionnaire, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire KEY RESULTS: Younger age, sexual and gender minority identity, and public/grants-based insurance were associated with significantly higher odds of suicidal ideation. Relative to cisgender men, transgender men (OR=2.08; 95% CI=1.29-3.36; p=.003), transgender women (OR=3.08; 95% CI=2.05-4.63; p<.001), nonbinary (NB) individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB; OR=3.55; 95% CI=1.86-6.77; p<001), and NB individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB; OR=2.49; 95% CI=1.52-4.07; p<001) all endorsed significantly higher odds of current suicidal ideation, controlling for age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and insurance status. Larger proportions of transgender women (23.6%) and NB AMAB individuals (26.7%) reported suicidal ideation not only compared to cisgender men (6.1%) and women (6.6%), but also compared to transgender men (17.4%; χ2[5, n=25,959]=906.454, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS TGD patients were at significantly increased risk of suicidal ideation, even after accounting for age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and insurance status. Findings suggest distinct risk profiles by assigned sex at birth. Consistent assessment of and intervention for suicidal ideation should be prioritized in settings that serve TGD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norik Kirakosian
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Samantha M McKetchnie
- School of Social Work, Boston College, Newton, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dana King
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Brett Dolotina
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Chris Grasso
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer Potter
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail W Batchelder
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Andersen LS, Stanton AM, Magidson JF, Joska JA, O'Cleirigh C, Lee JS, Kagee A, Witten JA, Safren SA. Cognitive and Behavioral Contributions to Depression Severity, Quality of Life, and Functioning Among People Living With HIV in South Africa. Behav Ther 2023; 54:91-100. [PMID: 36608980 DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive-behavioral treatments for depression typically address both behavioral (e.g., activation) and cognitive (e.g., rumination) components, and consequently improve quality of life (QOL) and function in high-resource settings. However, little is known about the cross-cultural applicability and relative contribution of these components to depression symptom severity, QOL, and functional impairment in South Africa and other resource-limited global settings with high HIV prevalence rates. Persons with HIV (N = 274) from a peri-urban community outside Cape Town, South Africa, were administered multiple measures of depression (Hamilton Depression Scale, Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, South African Depression Scale), cognitive and behavioral components related to depression (Ruminative Response Scale, Behavioral Activation for Depression Scale), and measures of QOL and functioning (Sheehan Disability Scale, Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Scale-Short Form). Multiple linear regression models were fit to assess the relative contribution of behavioral and cognitive components to depression severity, QOL, and functional impairment in this population. Models accounting for age and sex revealed that lower levels of behavioral activation (BA) were significantly associated with all measures of depression, as well as with QOL and functional impairment (all ps < .01). Rumination was associated with all measures of depression (all ps < .01), but not with QOL or functional impairment. The consistent and unique association of BA with depression, QOL, and functional impairment bolsters its importance as a treatment target for this population.
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Stanton AM, Hornstein BD, Musinguzi N, Dolotina B, Orrell C, Amanyire G, Asiimwe S, Cross A, Psaros C, Bangsberg D, Hahn JA, Haberer JE, Matthews LT. Factors Associated With Changes in Alcohol Use During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Transition Among People With HIV in South Africa and Uganda. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2023; 22:23259582231161029. [PMID: 36945860 PMCID: PMC10034296 DOI: 10.1177/23259582231161029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying factors associated with alcohol use changes during pregnancy is important for developing interventions for people with HIV (PWH). Pregnant PWH (n = 202) initiating antiretroviral therapy in Uganda and South Africa completed two assessments, 6 months apart (T1, T2). Categories were derived based on AUDIT-C scores: "no use" (AUDIT-C = 0 at T1 and T2), "new use" (AUDIT-C = 0 at T1, >0 at T2), "quit" (AUDIT-C > 0 at T1, =0 at T2), and "continued use" (AUDIT-C > 0, T1 and T2). Factors associated with these categories were assessed. Most participants had "no use" (68%), followed by "continued use" (12%), "quit" (11%), and "new use" (9%). Cohabitating with a partner was associated with lower relative risk of "continued use." Borderline significant associations between food insecurity and higher risk of "new use" and between stigma and reduced likelihood of "quitting" also emerged. Alcohol use interventions that address partnership, food security, and stigma could benefit pregnant and postpartum PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 1846Boston University, Boston, USA
- 446213The Fenway Institute, Boston, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, 2348Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Benjamin D Hornstein
- Department of Medicine, 9967University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Nicholas Musinguzi
- Makerere-Mbarara Universities Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), Mbarara, Uganda
- 108123Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Brett Dolotina
- Department of Epidemiology, 33638Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Catherine Orrell
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Gideon Amanyire
- Makerere-Mbarara Universities Joint AIDS Program (MJAP), Mbarara, Uganda
- 560159Africa Health Research Institute, Durban, South Africa
| | - Stephen Asiimwe
- Global Health Collaborative, Mbarara, Uganda
- Kabwohe Clinical Research Center (KCRC), Kabwohe, Uganda
| | - Anna Cross
- Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, 2348Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
- 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - David Bangsberg
- School of Public Health, Oregon Health and Science University/Portland State, Portland, USA
| | - Judith A Hahn
- Department of Medicine, 8785University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
| | - Jessica E Haberer
- 1811Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
- Center for Global Health, 2348Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA
| | - Lynn T Matthews
- Department of Medicine, 9967University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
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Stanton AM, Goodman GR, Blyler A, Kirakosian N, Labbe AK, Robbins GK, Park ER, Psaros C. Mental Health, Social Connectedness, and Fear During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Perspective from Older Women with HIV. AIDS Behav 2022; 27:2176-2189. [PMID: 36538139 PMCID: PMC9764305 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03950-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Older women with HIV (WWH) confront significant biopsychosocial challenges that may be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Between May 2020 and April 2021, following a resiliency intervention conducted as part of a randomized parent trial, 24 cisgender WWH (M = 58 years old) completed quantitative assessments and qualitative interviews exploring the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. Qualitative data were analyzed via rapid analysis. Most participants were Black (62.5%) and non-Hispanic or Latina (87.5%). Emergent themes included (1) increased anxiety and depression; (2) a loss of social connectedness; (3) fear of unknown interactions among COVID-19, HIV, and other comorbidities; and (4) the use of largely adaptive strategies to cope with these issues. Findings suggest that older WWH face significant COVID-19-related mental health challenges, compounding existing stressors. As the pandemic persists, it will be important to assess the impact of these stressors on wellbeing, identify effective coping strategies, and provide increased support to mitigate COVID-19-related mental health issues over time. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03071887.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M. Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA USA ,Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA USA
| | - Georgia R. Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA USA ,Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Abigail Blyler
- Positive Psychology Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Norik Kirakosian
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL USA
| | - Allison K. Labbe
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Gregory K. Robbins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA
| | - Elyse R. Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA ,Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA USA
| | - Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA USA ,One Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, 02114 Boston, MA USA
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Batchelder AW, Foley JD, Stanton AM, Gorman KR, Morris JC, Scheer JR. Facets of Gender Expression and Discrimination in Relation to Alcohol and Other Drug Use Severity Among Sexual Minority Women and Gender Diverse Individuals Assigned Female at Birth. LGBT Health 2022; 10:191-201. [PMID: 36367714 PMCID: PMC10079249 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2022.0138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth (SMW+) consistently report more alcohol and other drug (AOD) use severity than heterosexual women, with greater disparities reported among bisexual plus (bi+) SMW (including bisexual, pansexual, queer, and those with attractions to more than one gender regardless of identity). Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that SMW with masculine gender expression (e.g., SMW with masculine gender appearance) disproportionately experience problematic AOD use compared to those with feminine gender expression. The minority stress model, which has predominantly been investigated in relation to internalized homonegativity and sexuality-based discrimination, may also account for these AOD use disparities. This study examined gender expression, related discrimination, and AOD use severity among SMW+. Methods: In a 2020 sample of SMW+ (n = 236), we investigated AOD use severity in relation to gender expression (appearance, emotional expression, and gender roles) and gender expression-based discrimination after controlling for internalized homonegativity and sexuality-based discrimination through an online survey. Results: Masculine gender roles were associated with AOD use severity, whereas masculine appearance and emotional expression were not. In multivariable models, gender identity was inconsistently associated with alcohol use severity, sexuality-based discrimination was consistently associated with alcohol use severity and inconsistently associated with other drug use severity, and gender expression-based discrimination was associated with neither. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of examining intersecting aspects of minority identity among SMW+, including facets of gender expression, in relation to AOD use severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail W. Batchelder
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jacklyn D. Foley
- Behavioral Medicine Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amelia M. Stanton
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jenna C. Morris
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jillian R. Scheer
- Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
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19
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Stanton AM, O'Cleirigh C, Knight L, Davey DLJ, Myer L, Joska JA, Mayer KH, Bekker L, Psaros C. The importance of assessing and addressing mental health barriers to PrEP use during pregnancy and postpartum in sub-Saharan Africa: state of the science and research priorities. J Int AIDS Soc 2022; 25:e26026. [PMID: 36251124 PMCID: PMC9575939 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pregnant and postpartum women (PPW) in sub‐Saharan Africa are at disproportionately high risk of HIV infection compared to non‐pregnant women. When used consistently, pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can prevent HIV acquisition and transmission to the foetus or infant during these critical periods. Recent studies have demonstrated associations between mental health challenges (e.g. depression and traumatic stress associated with intimate partner violence) and decreased PrEP adherence and persistence, particularly among adolescents, younger women and women in the postpartum period. However, mental health is not currently a major focus of PrEP implementation research and programme planning for PPW. Discussion PrEP implementation programmes for PPW need to assess and address mental health barriers to consistent PrEP use to ensure effectiveness and sustainability in routine care. We highlight three key research priorities that will support PrEP adherence and persistence: (1) include mental health screening tools in PrEP implementation research with PPW, both to assess the feasibility of integrating these tools into routine antenatal and postpartum care and to ensure that limited resources are directed towards women whose symptoms may interfere most with PrEP use; (2) identify cross‐cutting, transdiagnostic psychological mechanisms that affect consistent PrEP use during these periods and can realistically be targeted with intervention in resource‐limited settings; and (3) develop/adapt and test interventions that target those underlying mechanisms, leveraging strategies from existing interventions that have successfully mitigated mental health barriers to antiretroviral therapy use among people with HIV. Conclusions For PPW, implementation of PrEP should be guided by a robust understanding of the unique psychological difficulties that may act as barriers to uptake, adherence and persistence (i.e. sustained adherence over time). We strongly encourage PrEP implementation research in PPW to incorporate validated mental health screening tools and ultimately treatment in routine antenatal and postnatal care, and we stress the potential public health benefits of identifying women who face mental health barriers to PrEP use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M. Stanton
- Department of Psychological and Brain SciencesBoston UniversityBostonMassachusettsUSA,Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA,Fenway HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA,Fenway HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA,Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Lucia Knight
- School of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Dvora L. Joseph Davey
- School of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa,Division of Infectious Diseases, Geffen School of MedicineUniversity of California Los AngelesLos AngelesCaliforniaUSA
| | - Landon Myer
- School of Public HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - John A. Joska
- HIV Mental Health Research Unit, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Kenneth H. Mayer
- Fenway HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA,Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA,HIV Mental Health Research Unit, Division of Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental HealthUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa,Beth Israel Deaconess Medical CenterBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Christina Psaros
- Massachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA,Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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20
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Psaros C, Stanton AM, Goodman GR, Raggio G, Briggs ES, Lin N, Robbins GK, Park ER. Adapting, testing, and refining a resilience intervention for older women with HIV: An open pilot study. J Women Aging 2022:1-21. [PMID: 35787146 PMCID: PMC9879572 DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2022.2094163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Half of persons with HIV in the United States (US), many of whom are women, are over age 50. Aging women with HIV (WWH) face unique biopsychosocial challenges, including stigma, the physiological effects of aging, and illness-associated stressors. Resilience interventions can build awareness of such stressors and aid in facilitating the relaxation response; however, no existing interventions specifically cater to the needs of older WWH. The content of the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program, which teaches positive psychology strategies, relaxation techniques, and cognitive behavioral skills, was adapted for older WWH. Thirteen WWH over 50 participated in an open pilot of the adapted intervention to iteratively refine the program and its procedures. Participants attended either 8 or 10 weekly group sessions; three groups were conducted in total. Pre- and post-intervention assessments and qualitative exit interviews were conducted. Among completers, an increase in resilience was observed. Though significance testing was not conducted, social support also increased, and depression, anxiety, and HIV stigma decreased from pre- to post-intervention. Over half of eligible women enrolled; completers reported high satisfaction with the program. However, retention was difficult; six participants withdrew or were lost to follow-up. Mean number of sessions attended was 3.5 in the 8-session group and 5 in the 10-session groups. In this small sample, the adapted intervention led to a clinically meaningful increase in resilience, though recruitment and retention were challenging. Further refinements to the intervention are needed to minimize attrition and increase acceptability before additional testing is initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
| | - Amelia M. Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston MA
| | - Georgia R. Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston MA
| | - Greer Raggio
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
| | - Elsa S. Briggs
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
| | - Nina Lin
- Boston Medical Center, Boston MA
| | - Gregory K. Robbins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA
| | - Elyse R. Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA,Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA,Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA
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21
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Foley JD, Stanton AM, Shepard C, Morris J, O'Cleirigh C, Potter J, Batchelder AW. Discrimination experiences, resilience, and cardiovascular disease risk factors among sexual minority women. J Behav Med 2022; 45:461-471. [PMID: 35503193 DOI: 10.1007/s10865-022-00320-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Resilience, or the process of adapting to adversity, may protect against the harmful effects of minority-related stressors on the cardiovascular health of sexual minority women (SMW). An online survey was conducted in a sample of cisgender, non-heterosexual women to evaluate resilience as a moderator of the association between discrimination experiences and key cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors: stress, tobacco-smoking, hazardous alcohol consumption, poor diet quality, physical inactivity, and sedentary behaviors. Overall, 191 women (mean age = 29.34, SD = 6.92; 84.5% White) completed the survey and met eligibility to be included in the data analysis. White race (b = - 6.71, SE = 2.49) and education (b = - 3.36, SE = 0.56) were each independently associated with fewer discrimination experiences. Latinx ethnicity was associated with more discrimination experiences (b = 9.34, SE = 2.61). Education was associated with greater resilience (b = 4.57, SE = 0.83). Multivariable regression models were adjusted for race, ethnicity, and education. Discrimination was associated with a higher likelihood of smoking in the past month (b = 0.04, SE = 0.02) and drinking at hazardous levels (b = 0.09, SE = 0.02). Resilience was associated with less stress (b = - 0.15, SE = 0.02), a lower likelihood of hazardous alcohol consumption (b = - 0.02, SE = 0.01) and less time spent engaging in sedentary behaviors (b = - 0.02, SE = 0.01). One moderation emerged, such that discrimination was negatively associated with stress for those low in resilience (b = - 1.75, SE = 0.58), and not associated with stress for those high in resilience. These findings may inform the development of CVD-risk reduction interventions for SMW, which could include both strategies to mitigate the effects of discrimination on substance use and coping skills to promote resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacklyn D Foley
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Suite 701, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | | | | | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, USA
| | | | - Abigail W Batchelder
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, USA
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22
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Stanton AM, Wirtz MR, Perlson JE, Batchelder AW. "It's how we get to know each other": Substance use, connectedness, and sexual activity among men who have sex with men who are living with HIV. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:425. [PMID: 35241029 PMCID: PMC8895830 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12778-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Among MSM, substance use increases risk for acquiring HIV and is associated with sub-optimal engagement in HIV-related care. Most research related to substance use and sexual activity among MSM focuses on identifying and reducing risk of HIV acquisition and transmission rather than pleasure and agency. However, substance use may also facilitate sexual pleasure and build community, which could be particularly meaningful for individuals who cope with intersecting stigmas related to the disease, sexual identity, and drug use. METHODS To explore the ways in which substance use both promotes and hinders positive sexual expression and healthy sexual relationships, we conducted a secondary analysis of 33 semi-structured qualitative interviews with MSM living with HIV who were poorly engaged in care and reported recent substance use. RESULTS Thematic analysis revealed that substance use was perceived as: (1) a potential pathway to intimacy and enhanced sexual experiences; (2) a tool to help access partners and gain entry to a community; and (3) a source of empowerment, though some noted that it sometimes came at the cost of sexual disempowerment and unbalanced relationships. CONCLUSIONS Clinically, our results suggest that the complex motivations for substance use during sexual activity need to be carefully considered and discussed with patients, especially when attempting to decrease problematic use as a pathway to improved HIV self-care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Behavioral Medicine, One Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,The Fenway Health Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Megan R Wirtz
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Behavioral Medicine, One Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jacob E Perlson
- Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Abigail W Batchelder
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Behavioral Medicine, One Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,The Fenway Health Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA.
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23
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Psaros C, Stanton AM. Patterns of post-partum HIV care engagement. Lancet HIV 2021; 8:e730-e731. [PMID: 34762837 PMCID: PMC10929616 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00270-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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24
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Batchelder AW, Stanton AM, Kirakosian N, King D, Grasso C, Potter J, Mayer KH, O'Cleirigh C. Mental Health and Substance Use Diagnoses and Treatment Disparities by Sexual Orientation and Gender in a Community Health Center Sample. LGBT Health 2021; 8:290-299. [PMID: 34080895 DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2020.0293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study assessed disparities in screener- and provider-identified mental health and substance use diagnoses and treatment attendance by sexual orientation and gender in an urban community health center focused on sexual and gender minority individuals. Methods: Using an electronic data query (October 2015 to October 2018), computerized screening results assessing likely depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder (AUD), and substance use disorder (SUDs); provider diagnoses; and treatment initiation related to mental health and substance use were compared across sexual orientation (heterosexual, gay/lesbian, bisexual, and other) and gender categories (men and women, inclusive of cisgender and transgender individuals; N = 24,325). Results: Bisexual and other-identified individuals were more likely to screen positive for depression and anxiety, followed by gay/lesbian women, compared with heterosexual individuals and gay men (χ2 = 463.22, p < 0.001 and χ2 = 263.36, p < 0.001, respectively). Of those who screened positive for AUDs, women were less likely to be diagnosed by a professional (χ2 = 63.79, p < 0.001) and of those who screened positive for either alcohol or other SUDs, women were less likely to attend one or more substance use-related behavioral health appointments, regardless of sexual orientation (contingency coefficient = 0.14, p < 0.001). Conclusion: This community health center study identified a need for increased mental health services for bisexual and other-identified individuals and increased assessment and initiation of substance use treatment for women, including sexual minority women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail W Batchelder
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Norik Kirakosian
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dana King
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chris Grasso
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jennifer Potter
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kenneth H Mayer
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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Stanton AM, Lee JS, Wirtz MR, Andersen LS, Joska J, Safren SA, van Zyl-Smit R, O'Cleirigh C. Correction to: Tobacco Use and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Individuals with Depression Who Are Receiving Treatment for HIV in Cape Town, South Africa. Int J Behav Med 2021; 28:528. [PMID: 33797057 PMCID: PMC10952127 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-021-09977-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Suite 761, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Jasper S Lee
- Department of Psychology, The University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Megan R Wirtz
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Lena S Andersen
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - John Joska
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, The University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Richard van Zyl-Smit
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Suite 761, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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26
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Stanton AM, Lee JS, Wirtz MR, Andersen LS, Joska J, Safren SA, van Zyl-Smit R, O'Cleirigh C. Tobacco Use and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Individuals with Depression Who Are Receiving Treatment for HIV in Cape Town, South Africa. Int J Behav Med 2021; 28:417-430. [PMID: 33511574 PMCID: PMC8266737 DOI: 10.1007/s12529-020-09951-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide, and prevalence rates are high among people living with HIV (PLWH), particularly in men. Depression is also common among PLWH, especially among smokers, who may use tobacco to manage mood. Although HIV and depression have been linked to functional impairment and poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), little research has examined the degree to which smoking impacts these relationships in low- and middle-income countries with high HIV burden. METHOD Participants (N = 289) were people living with HIV (PLWH) who were being assessed for inclusion in a study targeting depression as a barrier to HIV medication adherence. Linear regression models measured the effect of gender on tobacco use (assessed by the WHO-ASSIST) and on each of the five HRQOL functional impairment domains (assessed by the SF-21). Separate multivariable regression models examined the relationships between habitual tobacco use, defined as daily, almost daily, or weekly use, and the HRQOL domains. RESULTS The prevalence of habitual tobacco use was 23.9% (48.1% among men, 15.5% among women). Habitual tobacco use was associated with decreased cognitive functioning for the whole sample (B = - 8.99, p < 0.05) and with lower levels of pain-related impairment for men (B = 18.1, p < 0.05). Although men reported more tobacco use (B = 8.50, p < 0.001), they reported less pain-related limitations than women (B = 8.70, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In our sample, men reported higher rates of habitual tobacco use than women. Smoking was associated with cognitive impairment and with less pain-related impairment among men. Future smoking cessation treatments tailored to PLWH who have symptoms of depression may benefit from strategies that consider pain management as a pathway to habitual smoking and recognize that motivations for use may differ by gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Suite 761, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
| | - Jasper S Lee
- Department of Psychology, The University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Megan R Wirtz
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Lena S Andersen
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - John Joska
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Steven A Safren
- Department of Psychology, The University of Miami, P.O. Box 248185, Coral Gables, FL, 33124, USA
| | - Richard van Zyl-Smit
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Drive, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925, South Africa
| | - Conall O'Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Suite 761, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
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27
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O'Cleirigh C, King D, Stanton AM, Goldin A, Kirakosian N, Crane HM, Grasso C. Patterns of E-Cigarette Use Among Primary Care Patients at an Urban Community Center. J Community Health 2021; 47:1-8. [PMID: 34215994 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-021-01015-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the US. The number of tobacco products has grown over the past decade. E-cigarette use has increased rapidly in recent years, but patterns and correlates of use have not been thoroughly assessed. We examined relationships among demographic factors, e-cigarette and conventional cigarette use in a large sample (N = 12,409) of adult patients at a community health center in the Northeastern US. Overall, 13% (N = 1675) of the sample reported ever using e-cigarettes. In logistic regression models, ever having used e-cigarettes was associated with younger age (ages 18-25; OR = 3.5, p < 0.001). Being transgender (OR = 1.8, p < 0.001), bisexual (OR = 1.5, p < 0.001), un-partnered (OR = 1.5, p < 0.001), having a lower income (OR = 1.6, p < 0.001) or a high BMI (OR = 1.4, p = 0.009) were associated with increased odds of use, whereas being a woman (OR = 0.7, p < 0.001) or Black/African American (OR = 0.7, p = 0.007) were associated with lower odds of use. Of the participants who reported e-cigarette use, a majority also endorsed current or former use of conventional cigarettes. Individuals who formerly used conventional cigarettes were nearly three times more likely to report daily e-cigarette use than current users. Among primary care patients at a community health center, e-cigarette use was reported by a sizeable portion of the sample. Overall, odds of use were higher in certain patient populations, and individuals who formally used cigarettes were more likely to report e-cigarette use than individuals who currently smoke, suggesting that e-cigarettes may be functioning as a cessation aid or a strategy to reduce conventional cigarette use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conall O'Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. .,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Dana King
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amanda Goldin
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Norik Kirakosian
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, One Bowdoin Square, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Heidi M Crane
- Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Madison HIV Metabolic Clinic, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chris Grasso
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
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28
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Abstract
There is a widely held belief that the amount and intensity of transgressive content in pornography have been rising. Reliably assessing for such an increase, however, is complicated by methodological factors including hand-coding content using conflicting a priori definitions of what constitutes transgressive content. In response to those limitations, the present study used the results of a published empirical content analysis of ~250,000 erotic stories written over 16 years to determine if the amount or popularity of transgressive content (stories high in the themes of violence, family (incest), or BDSM) has changed in that timeframe. Results from the present study indicated no meaningful increase in either the amount of content with those themes or popularity (as measured by story views per day) of any of the three transgressive themes within the erotic narratives over the 16-year period of analysis. These results, in addition to recent research presenting similar findings within pornographic video, do not support popular perceptions that erotic material is becoming increasingly transgressive. Rather, such content within internet-based erotic material, and particularly erotic narratives, appears to be relatively consistent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Seehuus
- Middlebury College, Psychology Department, Middlebury, Vermont
- University of Vermont, Department of Psychological Sciences, Vermont Psychological Services, Burlington, Vermont
| | - Ariel B. Handy
- The University of Texas at Austin, Psychology Department, Austin, Texas
| | - Amelia M. Stanton
- The University of Texas at Austin, Psychology Department, Austin, Texas
- Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, Boston, Massachusetts
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Stanton AM, Batchelder AW, Kirakosian N, Scholl J, King D, Grasso C, Potter J, Mayer KH, O’Cleirigh C. Differences in mental health symptom severity and care engagement among transgender and gender diverse individuals: Findings from a large community health center. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0245872. [PMID: 33493207 PMCID: PMC7833136 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental health disparities among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) populations have been documented. However, few studies have assessed differences in mental health symptom severity, substance use behavior severity, and engagement in care across TGD subgroups. Using data from the electronic health record of a community health center specializing in sexual and gender minority health, we compared the (1) severity of self-reported depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and other substance use symptoms; (2) likelihood of meeting clinical thresholds for these disorders; and (3) number of behavioral health and substance use appointments attended among cisgender, transgender, and non-binary patients. Participants were 29,988 patients aged ≥18 who attended a medical appointment between 2015 and 2018. Depression symptom severity (F = 200.6, p < .001), anxiety symptom severity (F = 102.8, p < .001), alcohol use (F = 58.8, p < .001), and substance use (F = 49.6, p < .001) differed significantly by gender. Relative to cisgender and transgender individuals, non-binary individuals are at elevated risk for depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Gender was also associated with differences in the number of behavioral health (χ2 = 51.5, p < .001) and substance use appointments (χ2 = 39.3, p < .001) attended. Engagement in treatment among certain gender groups is poor; cisgender women and non-binary patients assigned male at birth were the least likely to have attended a behavioral health appointment, whereas transgender men and cisgender women had attended the lowest number of substance use appointments. These data demonstrate the importance of (1) assessing gender diversity and (2) addressing the barriers that prevent TGD patients from receiving affirming care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M. Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Abigail W. Batchelder
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Norik Kirakosian
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - James Scholl
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Dana King
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Chris Grasso
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Potter
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kenneth H. Mayer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Conall O’Cleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Park ER, Sylvia LG, Streck JM, Luberto CM, Stanton AM, Perez GK, Baim M, Bliss CC, Convery MS, Crute S, Denninger JW, Donelan K, Dossett ML, Fava M, Fredriksson S, Fricchione G, George N, Hall DL, Hart BR, Herman J, Hirschberg A, Holt D, Looby SE, Malloy L, Meek J, Mehta DH, Millstein RA, Mizrach H, Rosa K, Slawsby E, Stupinski AC, Traeger L, Vanderkruik R, Vogeli C, Wilhelm S. Launching a resiliency group program to assist frontline clinicians in meeting the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic: Results of a hospital-based systems trial. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2021; 68:111-112. [PMID: 33229013 PMCID: PMC7605784 DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2020.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elyse R. Park
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Corrresponding author at: Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1600, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Louisa G. Sylvia
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Joanna M. Streck
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Christina M. Luberto
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Amelia M. Stanton
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Giselle K. Perez
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Margaret Baim
- Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Cayley C. Bliss
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Mary Susan Convery
- Social Service Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sydney Crute
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - John W. Denninger
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Karen Donelan
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Michelle L Dossett
- UC Davis Health, Department of Internal Medicine, Sacramento, CA, United States of America
| | - Maurizio Fava
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Stacie Fredriksson
- Home Base Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Gregory Fricchione
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Nevita George
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Daniel L. Hall
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Betsy Remington Hart
- Home Base Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - John Herman
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - April Hirschberg
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Daphne Holt
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sara E. Looby
- Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Laura Malloy
- Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jocelyn Meek
- Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Darshan H. Mehta
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Home Base Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Rachel A. Millstein
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Helen Mizrach
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Katherine Rosa
- Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Ellen Slawsby
- Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - A. Clare Stupinski
- Home Base Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Lara Traeger
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Rachel Vanderkruik
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Christine Vogeli
- Health Policy Research Center, Mongan Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Sabine Wilhelm
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America,Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States of America
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Psaros C, Stanton AM, Bedoya CA, Mosery N, Evans S, Matthews LT, Haberer J, Vangel M, Safren S, Smit JA. Protocol for a prospective evaluation of postpartum engagement in HIV care among women living with HIV in South Africa. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e035465. [PMID: 31924641 PMCID: PMC6955573 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa (SA) has the highest prevalence of pregnant women living with HIV in the world. Pregnancy and the postpartum period offer opportunities to engage women in HIV care, to prevent perinatal transmission and to optimise maternal and infant well-being. However, research suggests that remaining engaged in HIV care during this time can be challenging. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We are conducting a 5-year prospective cohort study among pregnant women living with HIV in KZN to estimate the rates and factors associated with attrition from HIV care during this critical period. To determine who is most likely to fall out of care, we are examining a range of relevant variables informed by a socioecological model of HIV care, including individual, relational, community and healthcare system variables. We are enrolling 18-45-year-old women, at 28 weeks or more of pregnancy, who are living with HIV and currently taking antiretroviral therapies. Participants complete quantitative assessments at baseline (pregnancy) and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months postpartum. A subset of women and their partners are invited to complete qualitative interviews to further explore their experiences in HIV care. The main study outcomes are suppressed HIV RNA and retention in care at each study assessment. Our understanding of the factors that drive postpartum attrition from HIV care will ultimately inform the development of interventions to facilitate continued engagement in postpartum HIV care. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION This protocol has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee (Medical) at The University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg, SA) and the Partners Human Research Committee at Partners HealthCare (Boston, Massachusetts, USA). Site support and approval were obtained from the District Hospital and the KZN Provincial Department of Health. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed manuscripts, reports and both local and international presentations (Ethics Registration #170 212).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Psaros
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - C Andres Bedoya
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nzwakie Mosery
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Shannon Evans
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
| | - Lynn Turner Matthews
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jessica Haberer
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark Vangel
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Steven Safren
- Department of Psychology, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
| | - Jennifer A Smit
- MatCH Research Unit (MRU), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Durban, South Africa
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Sexual well-being and intimacy are critical to overall quality of life and retain a high degree of significance for aging individuals, even though these considerations are often overlooked in older populations. Sexual health may be particularly impacted in older individuals living with HIV, especially women, as a result of both physical and psychosocial disease-specific factors. Despite this, sexuality research related to HIV has traditionally focused on risk reduction, rather than on other elements of sexual wellness. In this review, we examine several aspects of sexual well-being that may be important to older women living with HIV (OWLH). Recent Findings This review summarizes existing literature on sexuality in OWLH over the age of 50 and explores five themes related to sexual health: physical and emotional intimacy, desire/interest, satisfaction/pleasure, frequency of sexual activity, and abstinence. Reduced intimacy among OWLH was reported across most studies, due to stigma and disclosure concerns, lack of opportunity for relationships, and difficulty communicating sexual preferences. Data on sexual desire/interest and satisfaction/pleasure among OWLH were mixed. Frequency of sexual activity varied widely across studies, and abstinence emerged as both an intentional and inadvertent decision for OWLH. Factors related to menopause as it relates to sexuality and HIV are also discussed. Summary Sexual health and well-being are important to women living with HIV over 50, though key components such as intimacy, desire, and pleasure remain poorly understood. As this population continues to grow, comprehensive and age-specific interventions are needed to examine positive aspects of sexuality and promote sexual wellness among OWLH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Georgia Goodman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara E Looby
- Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Yvonne L. Munn Center for Nursing Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory K Robbins
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christina Psaros
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Abstract
Research and clinical data have shown that couples with sexual problems report a lack of sexual communication. However, no published meta-analyses have evaluated the relationship between sexual communication and sexual function. This meta-analysis examines the correlation between couples' sexual communication and dimension of sexual function across 48 studies. Sexual communication was positively associated with sexual desire (r = .16), sexual arousal (r = .21), lubrication (r = .17), orgasm (r = .23), erectile function (r = .19), less pain (r = .12), and overall sexual function (r = .35). The effect sizes for sexual desire (r = .21; r = .12) and orgasm (r = .26; r = .16) were higher for women than for men. For overall sexual function, studies with married participants (r = .47) had a larger effect size than studies with participants with multiple relationship types (r = .31) or than studies with dating participants (r = .11). Effect sizes were larger for studies conducted outside of the United States (r = .39) compared to studies conducted in the United States (r = .12). We discuss the importance of addressing the relationship between sexual communication and sexual function, as well as future directions for research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen B Mallory
- Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin
- The Population Research Center, The University of Texas at Austin
| | | | - Ariel B Handy
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin
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Stanton AM, Boyd RL, Fogarty JJ, Meston CM. Heart rate variability biofeedback increases sexual arousal among women with female sexual arousal disorder: Results from a randomized-controlled trial. Behav Res Ther 2019; 115:90-102. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2018.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Seehuus M, Stanton AM, Handy AB. On the Content of "Real-World" Sexual Fantasy: Results From an Analysis of 250,000+ Anonymous Text-Based Erotic Fantasies. Arch Sex Behav 2019; 48:725-737. [PMID: 30796633 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1334-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
A recurring problem with the study of sexual fantasy is that of social desirability bias. Study participants may report fantasies that are consistent with general societal expectations of fantasy content, as opposed to themes characterized by their actual fantasies. The wide availability of erotic material on the Internet, however, facilitates the study of sexual fantasy narratives as they are anonymously expressed and viewed online. By extracting approximately 250,000 text-based erotic fantasies from a user-generated website, we sought to examine "real-world" sexual fantasies, determine the themes that were typical of these narratives, and explore the relationship between themes and story popularity (as assessed by story views per day). A principal components analysis identified 20 themes that commonly occurred across the massive corpus, and a path analysis revealed that these themes played a significant role in predicting the popularity of the sexual fantasy narratives. In particular, the empirically identified themes reflecting familial words (e.g., mother, father) and colloquial sexual words (e.g., cock, fuck) were predictive of story popularity. Other themes identified included those not obviously erotic, such as those consisting of words reflecting domesticity (e.g., towel, shower) and colors (e.g., brown, blue). By analyzing a sexual fantasy corpus of unprecedented size, this study offers unique insight into both the content of sexual fantasies and the popularity of that content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Seehuus
- Department of Psychology, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT, 05753, USA.
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ariel B Handy
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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36
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Handy AB, Stanton AM, Meston CM. What Does Sexual Arousal Mean to You? Women With and Without Sexual Arousal Concerns Describe Their Experiences. J Sex Res 2019; 56:345-355. [PMID: 29746186 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2018.1468867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Sexual arousal is frequently characterized by both subjective (i.e., mental) and physiological (e.g., genital) components. The nuances of these components, however, are difficult to capture via self-report instruments. Asking women to describe sexual arousal in their own words may therefore enhance our understanding of this construct. In the present study, women with (n = 190) and without (n = 610) arousal concerns were recruited online and wrote about their experience of sexual arousal. Seven clusters of words were extracted using automated text analysis, and the prominence of these clusters was compared between groups of women. The autonomic arousal cluster differed between groups such that women with arousal concerns invoked this cluster significantly less than did women with no such concerns. Furthermore, the context cluster significantly predicted group membership (odds ratio [OR] = 1.063); greater scores on this cluster were associated with arousal concerns. Results suggest that autonomic arousal and relationship factors may play important roles in arousal concerns. It is suggested that clinicians assess for aspects of the sexual relationship that may facilitate or hinder sexual arousal. Clinicians may also consider inquiring about the presence or appraisal of autonomic arousal (e.g., one's interpretation of an increase in heart rate or respiration) during sexual activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel B Handy
- a Department of Psychology , University of Texas at Austin
| | | | - Cindy M Meston
- a Department of Psychology , University of Texas at Austin
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OʼCleirigh C, Zvolensky MJ, Smits JAJ, Labbe AK, Coleman JN, Wilner JG, Stanton AM, Gonzalez A, Garey L, Regenauer KS, Rosenfield D. Integrated Treatment for Smoking Cessation, Anxiety, and Depressed Mood in People Living With HIV: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2018; 79:261-268. [PMID: 30212438 PMCID: PMC10041790 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Among people living with HIV, cigarette smoking rates are higher than among the general population, and anxiety, depression, and their disorders are common and associated with smoking and poorer outcomes during cessation. This study evaluated the efficacy of an integrated smoking cessation intervention, developed to target anxiety, depression, and smoking cessation concurrently among people living with HIV. METHOD Smokers living with HIV who reported at least moderate motivation to quit smoking were randomized into a novel 9-week integrated intervention (QUIT), consisting of 1 psychoeducation (prerandomization) session and 9 weekly 1-hour sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation and anxiety/depression plus nicotine replacement therapy, or a 9-week enhanced standard smoking intervention (ETAU), consisting of 1 psychoeducation session (prerandomization) and 4 brief weekly check-in sessions plus nicotine replacement therapy. All were instructed to make a quit attempt at week 6. RESULTS Seventy-two participants were enrolled, and 53 were randomized. 41/53 participants completed the active treatment phase of the study. 7-day point-prevalence abstinence, verified with expired carbon monoxide, was significantly higher among those in the integrated intervention than those in the enhanced standard intervention both end-of-treatment {[MQUIT = 59%, METAU = 9%; b = 5.60, 95% confidence interval: (2.64 to 8.56), t(332) = 3.72, P < 0.001]} and 6-months post-quit date {[MQUIT = 46%, METAU = 5%; b = 7.69, 95% confidence interval: (4.60 to 10.78), t(332) = 4.90, P < 0.001]}. Consideration of patterns of missingness did not alter the significance of these findings. CONCLUSIONS The integrated intervention was associated with substantially higher short-term and long-term abstinence rates than the enhanced standard intervention. These data provide promising initial evidence supporting the benefits of an integrated anxiety-depression/smoking cessation program specifically tailored for people living with HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conall OʼCleirigh
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Michael J Zvolensky
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
- Department of Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Jasper A J Smits
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Allison K Labbe
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jessica N Coleman
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychology & Neuroscience, Duke University, Durham, NC
| | - Julianne G Wilner
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
| | - Adam Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY
| | - Lorra Garey
- Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
| | | | - David Rosenfield
- Department of Psychology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
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Kilimnik CD, Boyd RL, Stanton AM, Meston CM. Identification of Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences and the Sexual Self-Schemas of Women: Implications for Sexual Functioning. Arch Sex Behav 2018; 47:1633-1647. [PMID: 29845443 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-018-1229-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Many individuals who experience nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs) do not identify their experiences with common sexual violence labels (e.g., sexual assault, rape, or abuse), and cognitive mechanisms of identification have yet to be examined. Identification may involve the integration of the experience into sexual self-schemas, which would have implications for sexual well-being. Women were recruited through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (N = 818) to take part in an anonymous online study of sexual experiences. The current study assessed the relationship between textually derived sexual self-schemas and sexual function (measured by the Female Sexual Function Index) in women (M = 35.37 years, SD = 11.27) with NSEs who both did (identifiers, n = 305) and did not (non-identifiers, n = 176) identify with common sexual violence labels, in comparison with those with no NSEs (n = 337). Text analyses revealed nine sexual self-schema themes in participants' essays: Virginity, Openness, Erotophilia, NSEs, Romantic, Sexual Activity, Warmth, Relationships, and Reflection. Analyses demonstrated that identifiers reported significantly poorer sexual functioning and less use of both the Warmth and Openness themes than those with no NSEs. Identifiers also invoked the NSE theme more frequently than both those with no NSE histories and non-identifiers. While greater prominence of the Warmth theme was predictive of greater sexual functioning for both non-identifiers and those with no NSEs, this was not true for identifiers. Instead, the NSE theme was significantly predictive of lower sexual functioning in identifiers. The results suggest that NSE identification may result in greater internalization of the NSE into one's sexual self-schema and, in turn, predict decrements in sexual functioning. The results are discussed in relation to identification interpretation and clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea D Kilimnik
- Psychology Department, The University of Texas at Austin, SEA Building, 108 E. Dean Keeton St., A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Ryan L Boyd
- Psychology Department, The University of Texas at Austin, SEA Building, 108 E. Dean Keeton St., A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Psychology Department, The University of Texas at Austin, SEA Building, 108 E. Dean Keeton St., A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Cindy M Meston
- Psychology Department, The University of Texas at Austin, SEA Building, 108 E. Dean Keeton St., A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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Meston CM, Stanton AM. Comprehensive Assessment of Women's Sexual Arousal Requires Both Objective and Subjective Measurement. J Sex Med 2018; 15:423-425. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Handy AB, Stanton AM, Meston CM. Understanding Women's Subjective Sexual Arousal Within the Laboratory: Definition, Measurement, and Manipulation. Sex Med Rev 2018; 6:201-216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 11/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Handy AB, Stanton AM, Pulverman CS, Meston CM. Differences in Perceived and Physiologic Genital Arousal Between Women With and Without Sexual Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2018; 15:52-63. [PMID: 29289375 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many sexual psychophysiologic studies have failed to find differences in physiologic genital arousal between women with and those without sexual dysfunction. However, differences in self-reported (ie, perceived) measures of genital responses between these 2 groups of women have been noted. AIMS To determine whether women with and without sexual dysfunction differ on measures of physiologic and perceived genital arousal based on type of analytic technique used, to explore differences in perceived genital arousal, and to assess the relation between physiologic and perceived genital arousal. METHODS Data from 5 studies (N = 214) were used in this analysis. Women were categorized into 3 groups: women with arousal-specific sexual dysfunction (n = 40), women with decreased sexual function (n = 72), and women who were sexually functional (n = 102). Women viewed an erotic film while their physiologic genital arousal was measured using a vaginal photoplethysmograph. After watching the film, women completed a self-report measure of perceived genital arousal. OUTCOMES There were differences in vaginal pulse amplitude (VPA) levels and association of VPA with perceived genital sensations based on level of sexual function. RESULTS Commonly used methods of analysis failed to identify significant differences in VPA among these groups of women. When VPA data were analyzed with hierarchical linear modeling, significant differences emerged. Notably, women with arousal-specific dysfunction exhibited lower VPA than sexually functional women at the beginning of the assessment. As the erotic film progressed, women with arousal-specific dysfunction became aroused at a faster rate than sexually functional women, and these 2 groups ultimately reached a similar level of VPA. Sexually functional women reported the highest levels of perceived genital responses among the 3 groups of women. No significant relation between VPA and perceived genital arousal emerged. CLINICAL TRANSLATION Women's perception of their genital responses could play a role in women's experience of sexual dysfunction and might be more clinically relevant for women with sexual dysfunction than genital blood flow. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS This study's large sample is unique in sexual psychophysiology, and it strengthens the credibility of the findings. However, this study is limited in that arousal-specific dysfunction was determined with self-report measures, not by a clinician-administered assessment. CONCLUSION These findings suggest distinct response trajectories in women with and without sexual dysfunction, and although perceived genital responses are important for women who are experiencing problems with arousal, they do not seem to be related to objective measures of physiologic arousal. Handy AB, Stanton AM, Pulverman CS, Meston CM. Differences in Perceived and Physiologic Genital Arousal Between Women With and Without Sexual Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2018;15:52-63.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel B Handy
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Carey S Pulverman
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Cindy M Meston
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas-Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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Althof SE, Meston CM, Perelman MA, Handy AB, Kilimnik CD, Stanton AM. Opinion Paper: On the Diagnosis/Classification of Sexual Arousal Concerns in Women. J Sex Med 2017; 14:1365-1371. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2017.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Stanton AM, Meston CM, Boyd RL. Sexual Self-Schemas in the Real World: Investigating the Ecological Validity of Language-Based Markers of Childhood Sexual Abuse. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw 2017; 20:382-388. [PMID: 28570129 PMCID: PMC5510035 DOI: 10.1089/cyber.2016.0657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
This is the first study to examine language use and sexual self-schemas in natural language data extracted from posts to a large online forum. Recently, two studies applied advanced text analysis techniques to examine differences in language use and sexual self-schemas between women with and without a history of childhood sexual abuse. The aim of the current study was to test the ecological validity of the differences in language use and sexual self-schema themes that emerged between these two groups of women in the laboratory. Archival natural language data were extracted from a social media website and analyzed using LIWC2015, a computerized text analysis program, and other word counting approaches. The differences in both language use and sexual self-schema themes that manifested in recent laboratory research were replicated and validated in the large online sample. To our knowledge, these results provide the first empirical examination of sexual cognitions as they occur in the real world. These results also suggest that natural language analysis of text extracted from social media sites may be a potentially viable precursor or alternative to laboratory measurement of sexual trauma phenomena, as well as clinical phenomena, more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
| | - Cindy M Meston
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
| | - Ryan L Boyd
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin , Austin, Texas
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Pulverman CS, Boyd RL, Stanton AM, Meston CM. Changes in the sexual self-schema of women with a history of childhood sexual abuse following expressive writing treatment. Psychol Trauma 2017; 9:181-188. [PMID: 27336216 PMCID: PMC5182200 DOI: 10.1037/tra0000163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sexual self-schemas are cognitive generalizations about the sexual self that influence the processing of sexually pertinent information and guide sexual behavior. Until recently sexual self-schemas were exclusively assessed with self-report instruments. Recent research using the meaning extraction method, an inductive method of topic modeling, identified 7 unique themes of sexual self-schemas: family and development, virginity, abuse, relationship, sexual activity, attraction, and existentialism from essays of 239 women (Stanton, Boyd, Pulverman, & Meston, 2015). In the current study, these themes were used to examine changes in theme prominence after an expressive writing treatment. METHOD Women (n = 138) with a history of childhood sexual abuse completed a 5-session expressive writing treatment, and essays on sexual self-schemas written at pretreatment and posttreatment were examined for changes in themes. RESULTS Women showed a reduction in the prominence of the abuse, family and development, virginity, and attraction themes, and an increase in the existentialism theme. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the validity of the 7 themes identified by Stanton and colleagues (2015) and suggests that expressive writing may aid women with a history of sexual abuse to process their abuse history such that it becomes a less salient aspect of their sexual self-schemas. (PsycINFO Database Record
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Affiliation(s)
- Carey S. Pulverman
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Ryan L. Boyd
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Amelia M. Stanton
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Cindy M. Meston
- Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Stanton AM, Pulverman CS, Meston CM. Vagal Activity During Physiological Sexual Arousal in Women With and Without Sexual Dysfunction. J Sex Marital Ther 2017; 43:78-89. [PMID: 26735491 DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2015.1115793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Recently, heart rate variability (HRV) level has been found to be a risk factor for female sexual dysfunction. Low HRV was a significant predictor of female sexual arousal dysfunction and overall sexual dysfunction. Building upon this finding, the present study examined whether differences in vagal activity between sexually functional and sexually dysfunctional women may be driving the association between low HRV and female sexual dysfunction. Specifically, respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) was assessed before, during, and after physiological sexual arousal in 84 women, aged 18 to 47, to examine potential differences in vagal activity between sexually functional and sexually dysfunctional women. Significant differences in vagal activity between these two groups were observed (p =.02). These findings provide additional specificity to the recently established relationship between HRV and female sexual function while also proposing a mechanism to target during treatments for sexual dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- a The University of Texas at Austin , Department of Psychology , Austin , Texas , USA
| | - Carey S Pulverman
- a The University of Texas at Austin , Department of Psychology , Austin , Texas , USA
| | - Cindy M Meston
- a The University of Texas at Austin , Department of Psychology , Austin , Texas , USA
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Stanton AM, Lorenz TA, Pulverman CS, Meston CM. Response to the letter to the editor. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2015; 40:379. [PMID: 26319662 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-015-9310-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Tierney A Lorenz
- The Kinsey Institute for Research on Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, The Center for Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - Carey S Pulverman
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Cindy M Meston
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, 108 E. Dean Keeton Stop A8000, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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Stanton AM, Boyd RL, Pulverman CS, Meston CM. Determining women's sexual self-schemas through advanced computerized text analysis. Child Abuse Negl 2015; 46:78-88. [PMID: 26146161 PMCID: PMC4527939 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2015] [Revised: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The meaning extraction method (MEM), an advanced computerized text analysis technique, was used to analyze women's sexual self-schemas. Participants (n=239) completed open-ended essays about their personal feelings associated with sex and sexuality. These essays were analyzed using the MEM, a procedure designed to extract common themes from natural language. Using the MEM procedure, we extracted seven unique themes germane to sexual self-schemas: family and development, virginity, abuse, relationship, sexual activity, attraction, and existentialism. Each of these themes is comprised of frequently used words across the participants' descriptions of their sexual selves. Significant differences in sexual self-schemas were observed to covary with age, relationship status, and sexual abuse history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia M Stanton
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
| | - Ryan L Boyd
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
| | | | - Cindy M Meston
- Department of Psychology, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
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Stanton AM. Grandparents' visitation rights and custody. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am 1998; 7:409-22. [PMID: 9894072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Grandparents have traditionally played a central role in the family kinship system. Today the altered patterns of marriage and parenting have had an impact on family structures, including intergenerational family relationships. Grandparent visitation statutes have been established in all 50 states to permit grandparents to seek court-ordered visitation with their grandchildren. Court-ordered visitation, over the objection of a custodial parent, is a controversial legal development that continues to be litigated. All states also have laws that authorize third-party custody, including grandparent custody, in certain circumstances. Grandparents are increasingly involved in third-party custody disputes with the parents of their grandchildren. These disputes most commonly involve grandparents who have already been raising their grandchildren for several years under an informal arrangement. These disputes may pit the child's and grandparents' interest in continuity and care against the parents' interest in family integrity. In other custody disputes grandparents are challenging the parents' fitness for custody. There are a number of different custodial relationships that can be created between grandparent and grandchild, including informal custody, foster care, guardianship, and adoption. In custody disputes between a grandparent and a parent, there may be a tension between awarding custody according to the parent's natural right and awarding custody according to the child's best interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Stanton
- Arizona State University College of Law, Tempe, USA
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