Why girls choose not to use barriers to prevent STI transmission during female-to-female sex
Abstract Purpose: Using data from a national qualitative study of lesbian, bisexual, and other sexual minority adolescent girls in the U.S., this study examined their awareness of the risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and opportunities for barrier use. Methods: Online asynchronous focus groups were conducted with lesbian and bisexual (LB) girls ages 14–18 years. Girls were […]
Non-binary youth: Access to gender-affirming primary health care
Abstract Background: Transgender (trans) youth who identify outside the gender binary are a growing subpopulation. In this article, we document differences in access to gender-affirming health care between binary and non-binary identified trans youth and explore ways of meeting the health needs of non-binary youth within primary care settings. Methods: The Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey is […]
Being Safe, Being Me in British Columbia: Results of the Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey
The Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey was a national online survey conducted by researchers from several Canadian universities and community organizations. The survey included somewhat different questions for younger (14-18 years) and older (19-25 years) trans youth about a wide range of life experiences and behaviours that influence young people’s health. This report is focused […]
Unhealthy weight control behaviors among youth: Sex of sexual partner is linked to important differences
Abstract Unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) have been decreasing for most youth over time, yet little is known whether these behaviors have changed for sexual minority (e.g., non-heterosexual) youth. This is important because many studies have found that sexual minorities report some of the highest rates of UWCBs. To determine whether or not these behaviors […]
Being Safe, Being Me in the Atlantic Provinces: Results of the Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey
The Canadian Trans Youth Health Survey was a national online survey conducted by researchers from several Canadian universities and community organizations. This report specifically examines trans youth located in the Atlantic Provinces. The survey included 122 participants from the Atlantic Provinces and used somewhat different questions for younger (14-18 years) and older (19-25 years) trans […]
A survey of experiences with surgery readiness assessment and gender-affirming surgery among trans people living in Ontario
This report is based on data from the Canada-wide Gender-Affirming Surgery Experience Survey. The survey was originally designed through a partnership between the Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre (SARAVYC) at the University of British Columbia and Trans Care BC, and resulted in a first report focused on British Columbia, which was published in […]
Enacted Stigma, Mental Health, and Protective Factors Among Transgender Youth in Canada
Abstract Purpose: We aimed to assess the Minority Stress Model which proposes that the stress of experiencing stigma leads to adverse mental health outcomes, but social supports (e.g., school and family connectedness) will reduce this negative effect. Methods: We measured stigma-related experiences, social supports, and mental health (self-injury, suicide, depression, and anxiety) among a sample […]
Sexual minority youth continue to smoke cigarettes earlier and more often than heterosexuals: Findings from population-based data
Abstract Background: An established body of research documents that sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, and bisexual) populations are at higher risk for several adverse health behaviors and outcomes compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Smoking is one behavior where the gap is especially large, particularly among youth. Researchers have increasingly drawn attention to contextual determinants of […]
Evidence of changing patterns in mental health and depressive symptoms for sexual minority adolescents
Abstract Depression, sadness, low self-esteem, and self-harm affect a substantial number of young people in North America. However, the prevalence of these symptoms has been found to be consistently higher for sexual minority (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual) populations. In this study, we traced the trends and disparities in mental health, including self-harm, forgone mental health […]
Disordered eating behaviors among transgender youth: Probability profiles from risk and protective factors
Abstract Purpose Research has documented high rates of disordered eating for lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth, but prevalence and patterns of disordered eating among transgender youth remain unexplored. This is despite unique challenges faced by this group, including gender‐related body image and the use of hormones. We explore the relationship between disordered eating and risk […]
