Trajectories of Dating Violence: Differences by Sexual Minority Status & Gender

The purpose of this study was to examine how sexual minority status (as assessed using both identity and behavior) was associated with trajectories of dating violence. 

University students from a large Southwestern university completed questions on their sexual minority identity, the gender of their sexual partners, and about experiences of dating violence for six consecutive semesters (N = 1942). Latent growth curve modeling indicated that generally, trajectories of dating violence were stable across study participation. 

Sexual minority identity was associated with higher initial levels of dating violence at baseline, but also with greater decreases in dating violence across time. These differences were mediated by number of sexual partners. Having same and other-sex sexual partners was associated with higher levels of dating violence at baseline, and persisted in being associated with higher levels over time. 

No significant gender difference was observed regarding trajectories of dating violence.

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By:  Martin-Storey A1, Fromme K2.

• 1Département de Psychoéducation, Université de Sherbrooke, Pavillon A7, 2500 Boul. De L'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada. Electronic address: alexa.martin@gmail.com.
• 2Department of Psychology, University of Texas at Austin, 108 E Dean Keeton Stop A8000, Austin, TX 87812-1043, USA. 
• J Adolesc. 2016 Mar 16;49:28-37. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.02.008.

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Beyond Condoms: Risk Reduction Strategies among Gay, Bisexual & Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Receiving Rapid HIV Testing in Montreal, Canada

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) have adapted their sexual practices over the course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic based on available data and knowledge about HIV. This study sought to identify and compare patterns in condom use among gay, bisexual, and other MSM who were tested for HIV at a community-based testing site in Montreal, Canada. 

Results showed that while study participants use condoms to a certain extent with HIV-positive partners and partners of unknown HIV status, they also make use of various other strategies such as adjusting to a partner's presumed or known HIV status and viral load, avoiding certain types of partners, taking PEP, and getting tested for HIV. 

These findings suggest that MSM who use condoms less systematically are not necessarily taking fewer precautions but may instead be combining or replacing condom use with other approaches to risk reduction.

Full PDF article at:   http://goo.gl/HuCkMf

By:  Otis J1,2, McFadyen A3, Haig T3,4,5, Blais M3, Cox J6, Brenner B7, Rousseau R8, Émond G9, Roger M10, Wainberg M7; Spot Study Group.

• 1Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada. otis.joanne@uqam.ca.
• 2CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, Canada. otis.joanne@uqam.ca.
• 3Department of Sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Case postale 8888, succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
• 4CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network, Vancouver, Canada.
• 5COCQ-SIDA, Montreal, QC, Canada.
• 6Direction de santé publique du CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.
• 7Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
• 8RÉZO, Montreal, QC, Canada.
• 9Applied Human Sciences, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
• 10Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire, Centre hospitalier de l'université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. 
• AIDS Behav. 2016 Mar 9

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Victimization, Mental Health & Well-Being among Trans Youths in the Province of Quebec

Introduction 
Trans youths are more likely to experience negative social and parental reactions suggesting reprehension, from disapproving looks to physical violence. While victimization increases the likelihood of poor mental health outcomes, little is known about potential mediating factors between mental health and victimization. Self-esteem is one of the factors that may mediate the impact of homophobic victimization on mental health. Yet, data on trans youths are scarce.

Objectives 
The objectives of this paper are: 

1. to compare trans youths to cisgender heterosexual male and female youths regarding two different forms of victimization (victimization based on gender nonconformity and parental verbal abuse), self-esteem, and psychological distress, as well as 
2. to test a path model of the impact of these two forms of victimization on self-esteem and psychological distress.

Methods 
Data for this study are drawn from the Quebec Youths' Romantic Relationships survey. Data were collected among youth aged 14 to 22 years old recruited either in schools or online. Thirty-seven participants endorsed being trans or questioning their gender identity. They were paired to 74 cisgender heterosexual youths (37 male and 37 female) using propensity scores based on socio-demographic characteristics.

Results 
Results showed that verbal parental abuse and victimization based on gender nonconformity were more prevalent among trans participants. Parental verbal abuse and victimization based on gender nonconformity were both directly and negatively associated with self-esteem (explained variance: 36%). Sexual status explains 19.6% of the variance of parental victimization and 50.6% of the variance of victimization on the basis of gender nonconformity. A higher self-esteem was associated with decreased psychological distress (explained variance: 66.9%). Moreover, parental verbal abuse was also directly associated with higher psychological distress. Although there was no direct relationship between trans status and psychological distress and self-esteem, its total indirect effects on these two indicators of mental health and wellbeing status were significant (p-value < 0.001), suggesting that the impact of sexual status on them is mediated by the victimization.

Conclusion 
This study showed the high vulnerability of trans youths to poor mental health and wellbeing outcomes because of the victimization they experience. The results highlight the importance of preventing victimization based on sexual-minority status and to educate people, including parents, to sexual and gender diversity.

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By:  Raymond G1, Blais M2, Bergeron FA2, Hébert M2.

• 1Département de psychologie, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières.
• 2Département de sexologie, Université du Québec à Montréal.
• Sante Ment Que. 2015 Fall;40(3):77-92. 

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The Prevalence of Paraphilic Interests and Behaviors in the General Population: A Provincial Survey

Paraphilic sexual interests are defined as unusual or anomalous, but their actual occurrence in nonclinical samples is still unknown. This study looked at desire for and experience of paraphilic behaviors in a sample of adult men and women in the general population. A secondary goal was to compare the results of two survey modes-traditional landline telephone versus online. 

A total of 1,040 persons classified according to age, gender, education, ethnic background, religious beliefs, area of residency, and corresponding to the norm for the province of Quebec were interviewed. 

Nearly half of this sample expressed interest in at least one paraphilic category, and approximately one-third had had experience with such a practice at least once. Voyeurism, fetishism, frotteurism, and masochism interested both male and female respondents at levels above what is usually considered to be statistically unusual (15.9%). 

Interestingly, levels of interest in fetishism and masochism were not significantly different for men and women. Masochism was significantly linked with higher satisfaction with one's own sexual life. As expected, the online mode generated more acknowledgment of paraphilic interest than the telephone mode. 

These results call into question the current definition of normal (normophilic) versus anomalous (paraphilic) sexual behaviors.

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By:  Joyal CC1, Carpentier J1.

• 1 University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres and Philippe Pinel Institute of Montreal. 
• J Sex Res. 2016 Mar 3:1-11

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Predictors of Residential Stability among Homeless Young Adults

Background

Homelessness episodes have been shown to be associated with serious health outcomes among youth. This study was undertaken to estimate the probability of reaching residential stability over time and to identify predictors of residential stability among homeless young adults aged 18 to 25 years.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was carried out in Montréal, Canada, between April 5^th 2006 and January 21^th2009. Interviews conducted every three months included questions on life conditions and social and mental health factors that are known to influence residential trajectories. Residential status was determined, starting on the first day after recruitment; each follow-up day was classified as a homeless day or a housed day. A period of 90 days was used to define residential stability; therefore the main study outcome was the occurrence of the first consecutive 90 housed days during the follow-up period. Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional-hazards regression analyses were conducted.

Results

Of the 359 participants, 284 reached 90 days of residential stability over the study period, representing an annual probability of 80.5 %. In multivariate analysis, youth who had a high school degree, had a formal sector activity, and those who had sought psychological help were more likely to reach residential stability. Being a man, injecting substances, and having an informal sector activity were associated with a decreased probability to reach residential stability.

Conclusion

Exposure to factors related to opportunities that promote social integration increases the chance of reaching residential stability. On the other hand, factors related to high level of street entrenchment seem to interfere with stabilization. Maximum efforts should be made to prevent chronic homelessness among youth, targeting not only individual impairments but also hinging on services adapted to foster social connections among the youth.

Below: Cumulative probability to reach a housed status for 90 consecutive days during follow-up

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/51Xaom

By:    Élise Roy, Marie Robert, Louise Fournier, Émélie Laverdière, Djamal Berbiche, and Jean-François Boivin

Addiction Research and Study Program, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 150, Place Charles-Le Moyne, room 200, Longueuil, QC J4K 0A8 Canada

Département de Psychoéducation et de Psychologie, Université du Québec en Outaouais, 283, boul. Alexandre-Taché, bureau 3712, C.P. 1250, Succursale Hull, Gatineau, QC J8X 3X7 Canada

École de Santé Publique, Université Montréal, 7101 Avenue du Parc, 3ième étage, Montréal, QC H3N 1X9 Canada

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, 150, Place Charles-Le Moyne, room 200, Longueuil, QC J4K 0A8 Canada

Charles-LeMoyne Hospital Research Centre, 150, Place Charles-Le Moyne, room 200, C.P. 11, Longueuil, QC J4K 0A8 Canada

Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, 3755, Côte Ste-Catherine, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2 Canada

Élise Roy, Email: ac.ekoorbrehsu@yoR.esilE.

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Explaining the Presence of "Heterosexual" Female Clients of a Rapid HIV Testing Site Located in the Gay Village of Montreal, Quebec

BACKGROUND:

Increasing access and uptake of HIV testing among at-risk women is needed. Examining women's motives for visiting a community-based rapid HIV testing site (Actuel sur Rue-AsR) oriented to men who have sex with men (MSM) could offer suggestions.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the "heterosexual" female and male clients of AsR, located in Montreal's (Canada) gay village, to better understand the women's particular HIV prevention and sexual health service needs.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional pilot study analyzed questionnaire data provided by AsR clients and staff (nurse and community agent teams) between July 2012 and November 2013. Women and men reporting only opposite-sex partners were compared with chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests, as appropriate, on sociodemographics, HIV-related behaviors, motives for visiting AsR, and health service provision.

RESULTS:

AsR received 1901 clients. Among these, 55 women and 147 men reported only opposite-sex partners. Women were significantly younger. Significantly greater proportions of women visited AsR because no appointment was necessary (67% vs 48%), sought testing for condom failure (18% vs 5%), and had no regular doctor (44% vs 27%). Both groups mainly chose AsR for the rapid test results (80% and 77%), visited it to receive the rapid HIV test (71% and 76%), and sought testing due to unprotected vaginal sex (44% and 43%). Similar proportions saw the nurse (91% and 89%), received the rapid HIV test (44% and 35%), and were linked to a medical clinic (49% and 52%), especially, to receive complete sexually transmitted infection testing (50% and 44%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of this innovative study highlight the draw of rapid HIV testing for "heterosexual" users of a site mainly targeting MSM. They also suggest that further research is warranted into the importance for this group of women clients of drop-in and linkage services, particularly given their possible lesser access to regular care.

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By:  Engler K1, Rollet K2, Lessard D3, Thomas R4, Lebouché B3.

• 1Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (http://rimuhc.ca/), Montreal, Quebec, Canada kimcengler@gmail.com.
• 2Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• 3Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• 4l'Actuel Medical Clinic, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• J Prim Care Community Health. 2016 Jan 20. pii: 2150131915626563 

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Teens’ Self-Efficacy to Deal with Dating Violence as Victim, Perpetrator or Bystander

Multiple studies have demonstrated that adolescent dating violence is highly prevalent and associated with internalizing and externalizing problems. A number of prevention initiatives are being implemented in North-American high schools. Such initiatives do not only aim to raise awareness among potential victims and offenders but also among peer bystanders. Since teenagers mainly reach out to their peers when experiencing adversity, it is important to address adolescents’ efficiency to deal with witnessing dating violence or with friends disclosing dating abuse, in addition to increasing ability to deal with experienced dating violence victimization or perpetration. 

The aim of this study is to explore adolescents’ self-efficacy to deal with dating violence victimization and perpetration in their relationships and those of their peers. A paper-and-pencil questionnaire was completed by 259 14–18 years olds in Quebec, Canada. The data allows building insight into adolescents’ confidence to reach out for help or to help others in a situation of dating violence victimization and perpetration. We also considered the impact of gender and dating victimization history. 

Results suggest that dating violence prevention can build on teens’ self-efficacy to deal with dating violence and offer them tools to do so efficiently.

...Girls generally report higher self-efficacy to deal with having witnessed or experienced DV than boys, as suggested by Banyard and colleagues (Banyard, 2008; Banyard et al., 2010). While boys paint a positive picture of their competence to seek help for themselves or others when confronted with DV, they feel less confident than girls. Our results further demonstrate that girls feel most confident to encourage a victim of DV to talk to someone they trust, while boys feel most confident they could intervene when they witness someone being hit. Overall, male teenagers seem to have less difficulty in directly intervening or to act as opposed to talking to someone, whether it concerns something that happens to them or to another. Girls do not present diminished self-efficacy when it comes to verbal skills. This concords with findings based on adult samples of male bystanders to be more likely to engage in heroic and risky behaviour to help others in need, while women prefer more nurturing strategies (Eagly and Crowley, 1986; Frasier Chabot et al., 2009). Also, male respondents in our sample indicate to be least likely to tell on someone who is abusing their partner. Adolescent male tolerance for DV perpetration was also highlighted by Noonan and Charles (2009).

Secondly, since boys seem to feel less confident than girls when confronted with DV, prevention programs, irrespective of their focus on potential victims and perpetrators or on potential bystanders, should pay particular attention to boosting boys’ confidence to deal with DV (Banyard et al., 2010). Particular attention should be paid to their verbal or communication skills. Teenage males feel most confident that they could intervene but present lower self-efficacy as far as talking to someone is concerned. While girls are more inclined to talk to someone, boys are more prone to take action, such as intervening when someone is hit. As such, they may put themselves more at risk of harm by getting involved in a violent situation. Prevention programs need to address dangers of direct interventions by witnesses and offer alternative helping behaviors, such as talking to the victim or reporting violence to an adult. Thirdly, we observed a male tolerance for gendered violence in the form of a lower sense of self-efficacy to tell on a perpetrator among their peers. Although self-efficacy to inform someone about a friend abusing their partner is positive among boys, it received the lowest score in the self-efficacy scale. It therefore justifies highlighting the need to address it in bystander education programs, as already suggested by Gidycz et al. (2011) as well as by Miller et al. (2012). They remark that through bystander education one strives to raise awareness and reduce tolerance for gendered violence, which might in turn dissuade teens from verbally or physically assaulting peers...

Full article at:  http://goo.gl/A2Rrfj

By:  Tinneke Van Camp,1 Martine Hébert,2 Elisa Guidi,2,3 Francine Lavoie,4 Martin Blais,2 and the members of the PAJ Team

¹School of law, University of Sheffield, UK

2Department of sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

3Department of psychology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

4

²Department of sexology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

³Department of psychology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy

⁴School of psychology, Université Laval, Canada

1School of law, University of Sheffield, UK

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Sex Education Groups in a Psychiatric Day Hospital: Clinical Observations

Although the prevalence of sexual dysfunction is high among individuals diagnosed with severe and chronic mental illness, the topic of sexuality is often not part of standard psychiatric assessment. 

Discussions about sexuality could improve patients' quality of life. This article outlines the development and implementation of a sex education group for patients admitted to a psychiatric day hospital in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, along with clinical observations. 

The series was well received by patients who felt that attending the group helped normalize their sexual concerns by providing a safe place in which to learn and to talk about sexuality.

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By:  Persson TJ1, Drury KM1, Gluch E2, Wiviott G3.

• 1 Department of Psychology Concordia University , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
• 2 English Montreal School Board , Montreal , Quebec , Canada.
• 3 McGill University Health Centre , Montreal , Quebec , Canada. 

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