This project investigates the intersectional factors contributing to heightened suicide risk among Black sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth, aiming to identify modifiable protective factors and structural influences. Through a multi-level, mixed-methods approach over 18 months, including surveys, daily diaries, and interviews, the research seeks to inform the development of culturally relevant interventions to address mental health disparities in this population.

5R01MH134051-02

The goal of this study is to inform culturally relevant substance use prevention programs for young sexual minority men using daily diary methods to examine how attachment, social support, and discrimination are associated with substance use and diurnal cortisol.

Emerging adult (EA) sexual and gender minorities (SGM), especially SGM of color, experience a disproportionate burden of mental health disparities as compared to their older SGM and non-SGM counterparts. Moreover, emerging research shows that EA SGM of color who possess multiple, intersecting minority identities (e.g., racial/ethnic minority SGM) are at greater risk for poor mental health outcomes as compared to their White EA SGM counterparts due to experiences with intersectional discrimination. Recent research has shown that mindfulness interventions may be a relevant method through which to reduce the impact of stress among SGM of color and increase well-being. However, there are a myriad of mindfulness interventions, and components of these interventions. Thus, it is unknown which components of mindfulness-based interventions are the most effective at reducing stress and promoting well-being. Thus, this study utilizes the innovative daily diary multiphase optimization strategy (MOST) which employs an 8-component factorial experiment to determine the most effective, efficient, and immediately scalable combination of the mindfulness intervention components of awareness, purpose, connection, and positive reappraisal.

34928237

This study aims to examine whether social support buffers the association between the negative effects of minority stress and pre-clinical cardiovascular disease.

Although cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among men and women over the age of 65 in the United States, men account for more than half of the deaths due to CVD. Moreover, CVD disparities exist among men, such that those who identify as sexual minorities are more likely to experience poor cardiovascular health as compared to heterosexuals. Much research documents the deleterious effects of discrimination among sexual minorities, including dysregulated cortisol rhythms, elevated C-reactive protein, and heightened blood pressure. These are important biological outcomes that influence vascular inflammation, atherosclerosis, stroke, and other cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, there are health behaviors that are along the posited causal pathway between discrimination and CVD risk including substance use, sleep, and physical activity that are important mechanisms to study and understand. Nevertheless, the mechanisms linking discrimination and intermediate cardiovascular factors among racially diverse young sexual minority men (YSMM) remain under-explored. The objective of this study is to examine physiological and behavioral mechanisms linking self-reported discrimination to C-reactive protein, a biomarker of inflammation, in a racially diverse group of YSMM aged 18-35. The long-term objective of this research is to inform the creation of culturally relevant interventions to reduce the risk of CVD among YSMM.

To advance understanding of the social determinants of cardiometabolic behaviors (CHBs), there is a need for measurement and analytical methods that can characterize the experiences and effects of intersectional discrimination in ways that reflect the lived experience of race, place, and identity among young sexual and gender minorities (YSGM). As such, this study aims to characterize instances of intersectional discrimination and to understand key environmental risks and protective resources to measure CHB among YSGM. This study carries out a two-stage, explanatory sequential mixed-methods study in which two types of data are collected from participants: Geographically-Explicit Ecological Momentary Assessment (GEMA) data and in-depth interviews.

This study seeks to examine the association between perceived exposure to sexual orientation and race-related microaggressions and biological stress functioning using a daily diary approach.

MESA is a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLB)-funded longitudinal medical research study aimed at studying the signs of subclinical cardiovascular disease and its risk factors. MESA utilizes a racially diverse, population-based sample of over 6,000 asymptomatic men and women between the ages of 45 and 84. The purpose of this secondary data analysis is to examine physiological and behavioral mechanisms underpinning self-reported discrimination and carotid ultrasound measures (i.e., measures that examine patterns of subclinical cardiovascular disease and inflammation) among a racially diverse sample of men and women.

38390806

The objective of our secondary data analysis with the All of Us Data Program is to examine physiological and behavioral mechanisms that link self-reported discrimination to C-reactive protein (CRP), which is an intermediate outcome used to assess preclinical cardiovascular disease, in a racially diverse sample of men and women. Moreover, potential buffers (e.g., social support) that mitigate the negative effects of discrimination on CRP will be explored. The long-term goal of this research is to inform culturally relevant interventions to reduce the risk of CVD among a racially diverse sample of men and women.

The Flint Adolescent Study (FAS) began in 1994 and is an ongoing interview study that began with 850 9th graders in Flint, MI. The purpose of this study is to examine patterns of risk and resilience throughout the life-course.

In 2015, the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) conducted a survey of over 25,000 transgender and gender non-conforming respondents from all fifty states to ascertain information across a wide array of areas, including education, housing, and discrimination.