Dianne L. Kerr

A Comparison of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual College Undergraduate Women on Selected Mental Health Issues

Abstract Objective: To investigate selected mental health characteristics of lesbians and bisexual undergraduate college women as compared with heterosexual college women. Participants: Self-identified lesbians and bisexual and heterosexual female college students who took part in the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment II (ACHA-NCHA-II) in Fall 2008, Spring 2009, and Fall 2009. Methods: A secondary analysis of the ACHA-NCHA-II data set for 3 semesters was conducted. Comparisons of lesbians and bisexual and heterosexual female college students were made. Results: Bisexual women reported the worst mental health status in all areas studied including anxiety, anger, depressive symptoms, self-injury, and suicidal ideation and attempts. Both bisexual women and lesbians had a far greater likelihood of having these mental health issues when compared with heterosexual women. Lesbians and bisexual women utilized significantly more mental health services (with the exception of clergy) than heterosexual women. Conclusions: College health professionals should recognize and address the mental health needs of bisexual and lesbian undergraduate college women.

Substance use of lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual college students

OBJECTIVE To compare self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students to heterosexual peers and to each other on alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) measures and alcohol use consequences. METHODS Preexisting data (Falls 2009-2011) from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA-II) were analyzed. RESULTS Bisexual college students had greater odds of ATOD use than heterosexual and gay/lesbian students. Bisexual women had the highest levels of use. LGB students had more serious consequences due to alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS ATOD use among LGB students was more prevalent than heterosexuals during the past 30 days, year, and life-time. LGB students report more negative alcohol consequences.

An Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use Comparison of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Undergraduate Women

Background: Little research has focused specifically on alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use of lesbian and bisexual women in general or the college subgroup specifically. Previous research shows sexual minority women at increased risk when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Objectives: The purpose of the current study was to compare ATOD use of lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual undergraduate college women. Methods: A secondary analysis of three fall semesters (2009–2011) of American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA-II) data was conducted. Women who self-identified as gay/lesbian (N = 538), bisexual (N = 1579), and heterosexual (N = 40,869) were compared on ATOD use. Chi-square Tests were used to analyze differences between the groups and logistic regression determined odds ratios of ATOD use. Results: Bisexual women had greater odds of using alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana than heterosexual women and lesbians. They also had greater odds of using all illicit drugs (except steroids) and misusing prescription drugs than heterosexual women and greater odds of using amphetamines other than meth, sedatives, and ecstasy when compared to lesbians. Lesbians had greater odds of using tobacco, marijuana, sedatives, hallucinogens, other illegal drugs and misusing prescription drugs than heterosexual women. Conclusions/Importance: The study confirms increased ATOD use among sexual minority women as compared to their heterosexual counterparts with bisexual women having the highest use. This is the first study to examine misuse of prescription drugs among a large number of lesbian and bisexual college women, and contributes to the scant literature addressing college womens ATOD use by sexual orientation.

Student perceptions and practices regarding carrying concealed handguns on university campuses

Abstract Objective: This multisite study assessed college students perceptions and practices regarding carrying concealed handguns on campus. Participants: Undergraduate students from 15 public midwestern universities were surveyed (N = 1,800). Methods: Faculty members distributed the questionnaire to students in general education classes or classes broadly representative of undergraduate students. Results: Useable questionnaires were returned by 1,649 students (92%). The majority (78%) of students was not supportive of concealed handguns on campuses, and 78% claimed that they would not obtain a permit to carry a handgun on campus, if it were legal. Those who perceived more disadvantages to carrying handguns on campus were females, who did not own firearms, did not have a firearm in the home growing up, and were not concerned with becoming a victim of crime. Conclusions: The majority of students was not supportive of concealed handguns on campus and claimed that they would not feel safer if students and faculty carried concealed handguns.

Getting to Know Generation X: Health Education for the Thirteenth Generation

Abstract Approximately 80 million Americans ranging in age from 11 to 31 make up the largest group of young adults in American history. This new generation has been dubbed “Generation X.” This article acquaints readers with this new generation of youth as they are described by the popular press and in health education literature. The article describes the following: (1) sociodemographic characteristics, (2) health characteristics as described in Healthy People 2000 and other health education literature, (3) learning characteristics of this generation, (4) the basis for conflict between generation X and the baby boomers, and (5) ways to conduct more effective health education with this generation given their characteristics. Recommendations for health educators, many of whom are baby boomers, to overcome these conflicts and effectively reach this group with health and education messages will be provided.

Examining Behavioral and Psychosocial Predictors of Antibody Testing among College Youth: Implications for HIV Prevention Education and Testing

Young adults continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. Despite efforts, antibody testing rates have remained stable. Utilizing a sample of 1,874 students from three universities and seven instruments, this study examined hypothesized demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial predictors of HIV antibody testing. Logistic regression indicated that sexual regulation, depression, attributional style, drug and alcohol use/abuse, HIV knowledge, and sexual risks significantly predicted the likelihood of testing among students. Comprehensive HIV prevention approaches among youth must examine the impact of personal and health locus of control and mood state, among other factors, on health promoting and protective behaviors.

Ethical Issues in Professional Development: Case Studies regarding Behaviour at Conferences.

Health education professionals are often called upon to be role models of professional conduct as well as mentors to their students. Part of that mentoring, particularly of graduate students, involves preparing students to conduct research, and publish and present results of their work at state and national conference venues. Health educators often urge students to attend and present at professional conferences, but little preparation is given regarding behavioural expectations of the students who attend. Likewise, faculty was not mentored about conference behaviour expectations during their own professional preparation, and may not appropriately behave. Some view conference attendance merely as a chance to get away from academic responsibilities, visit a desirable location, or time to have fun with friends. This article presents scenarios of potential professional conference behaviours of health education faculty and students. A series of discussion questions relating to the values, morals, and ethics of the situation follow each scenario. The article concludes with a discussion of what the authors believe is appropriate and inappropriate conference behaviour. This information may be valuable to faculty and students alike as they determine the ethics involved with behaviour at professional conferences.

Advocacy 201: Incorporating advocacy training in health education professional preparation programs

Involvement in advocacy is a responsibility of health educators, as identified by the National Commission on Health Education Credentialing. Of all the professional responsibilities, participation in advocacy-related activity is often neglected. This lack of participation may be due to the absence of advocacy and policy skills training in health education professional preparation programs. The lack of training may be attributed to various reasons, such as the university faculty being unsure about how to include students in advocacy work, students being unable to see the relevance of advocacy to their studied field or the lack of available time to conduct advocacy by students and faculty alike. This article will focus on promoting advocacy among health education faculty and students, and provide creative strategies to incorporate advocacy knowledge and skills into health education coursework. A review of common health education courses is provided with suggestions for relevant advocacy projects, course assignments and proposed evaluation strategies.

LGBT Populations and Substance Abuse Research: An Overview

This chapter presents a brief overview of substance abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations, with the major focus on methodological issues specific to substance abuse research in LGBT populations. While often studied as a group, LGBT communities contain subpopulations that vary by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, geography, culture, and other factors. Subpopulations also differ in their risk of substance abuse due to stigma, internalized homophobia, social norms, access, and other factors. Research with LGBT populations presents many distinct challenges. These include, but are not limited to, varied definitions of sexual orientation and related sampling issues. Convenience or poorly advised sampling strategies often result in small, nonrepresentative samples which limit the generalizability of research. Ethical considerations of researching substance abuse in LGBT populations are also paramount, with accepted ethical considerations associated with researching sensitive topics generally, as in the case of substance use and abuse, compounded by issues associated with studies being conducted on populations that are already socially stigmatized and marginalized as a sexual minority. Additional research is clearly needed to fully understand substance use and abuse within the LGBT population, with resources available to further this important area of study.

Conducting Research on Adolescent Substance Abuse

Adolescents represent a challenging population for substance abuse research. Adolescence is a time of experimentation with many health risk behaviors including alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use with a potential for lifetime health consequences, including dependence. Despite recent decreases in adolescents’ use of certain illicit drugs such as cocaine, hallucinogens, and LSD, use of marijuana remains an area of significant concern. Another area of concern is the nonmedical use of prescription medications. Abuse of alcohol among adolescents and young adults also remains problematic. Some adolescent groups are more at risk than others, including runaway or “throwaway” youth, homeless youth and youth in juvenile detention or foster care. This chapter explores key issues in substance abuse in adolescent populations. Current research on the incidence and prevalence of substance use among youth is reviewed, with a focus on national surveys such as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health, and the Monitoring the Future Study. Obstacles to conducting substance abuse research are also explored, including Institutional Review Board considerations and youth assent/consent issues. National Advisory Council on Drug Abuse Guidelines for Substance Abuse Research Involving Children and Adolescents are presented in their entirety to assist researchers seeking to conduct research on this population.