Jessica A. Latack

Perceived Mental Illness Stigma, Intimate Relationships, and Sexual Risk Behavior in Youth With Mental Illness

The current study examines the role of mental illness–related stigma on romantic or sexual relationships and sexual behavior among youth with mental illness (MI), including youths’ experiences of stigma, the internalization of these experiences, and the behavior associated with managing stigma within romantic and sexual relationships. We conducted in-depth interviews with N = 20 youth with mental illness (MI) (55% male, 16-24 years, 75% Latino) from 4 psychiatric outpatient clinics in New York City. We conducted a thematic analysis to investigate shared experiences of MI stigma and its impact on youth’s sexual or romantic relationships and associated behaviors. Our analysis revealed four main themes: (1) societal perceptions of those with MI as partners (societal stigma); (2) individual experiences of stigma within relationships (individual level); (3) internalized stigma of self as a partner (social-psychological processes); and (4) managing a stigmatized identity, of which some of the behaviors directly placed them at increased risk for HIV. We found that just under half of the sample (n = 9/20) endorsed all themes, including engaging in HIV/STI sexual risk behaviors as a method to manage a stigmatized identity, which suggests that MI stigma and sexual risk may be linked. We discuss differences by gender and diagnosis. Findings provide new information for providers and researchers to address on the role of stigma experiences in the romantic and sexual behavior of youth in psychiatric treatment. Implications for stigma and HIV/STI prevention interventions are discussed.

Romantic relationship involvement as a minority stress buffer in gay/lesbian versus bisexual individuals

ABSTRACT This study examined romantic relationship involvement as a moderator of the associations between discrimination/victimization and depression/anxiety in gay/lesbian versus bisexual individuals. Data from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions were used. Analyses were conducted separately for gay/lesbian versus bisexual individuals (N = 577 lesbian, gay, or bisexual individuals). For gay/lesbian individuals, the only significant association was a positive association between discrimination and anxiety. For bisexual individuals, there were significant positive associations between discrimination and depression/anxiety for those who were single, but not those who were partnered. There was also a significant association between victimization and anxiety, but this association was not moderated by relationship involvement. Findings provide partial support for relationship involvement as protective for bisexual individuals. Promoting the benefits of relationships may contribute to reducing sexual orientation-related health disparities.

Transdiagnostic psychopathology mediates the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections in adulthood

Exposure to childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with elevated rates of mental disorders, sexual risk behavior, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adulthood. Mental disorders themselves are associated with an increased risk for HIV/AIDs and STIs as well, and thus may mediate the association between CSA and HIV/AIDS and other STIs. The links among CSA, disorders, and STIs are unclear, however. The current study tested the hypothesis that the association of CSA with STIs is mediated by adult transdiagnostic psychopathology. We examined the potential mediating role of transdiagnostic psychopathology factors-internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT)-in the association between CSA and receiving a past-year diagnosis of HIV, AIDS, or another STI in a large, national probability sample of adults (N=34,653). Using indirect effects modeling, we found that 54.4% of the association between CSA and subsequent HIV/AIDS/STI diagnosis operated through transdiagnostic psychopathology. The proposed mediation model was supported, indicating that individuals reporting CSA had higher estimated levels of latent general liabilities for INT and EXT disorders, and it was largely these liabilities that accounted for the link between CSA and heightened risk of adult HIV, AIDS, and STI diagnoses.

Romantic competence, healthy relationship functioning, and well-being in emerging adults

A skills-based model of healthy relationship functioning—romantic competence (RC)—is described. Its association with relationship and individual well-being was examined in three studies of emerging adults using the Romantic Competence Interview for Emerging Adults (RCI–EA), which measures competence as the interplay of three skill domains. Across studies (women [n = 102], women and men [n = 187], romantic couples [n = 89]), RC was associated with greater security, healthier decision making, greater satisfaction, and fewer internalizing symptoms. The RCI–EA skill domains formed a latent factor and were associated with self-reports reflective of RC, supporting the constructs validity. The RC construct may thus provide a theory-driven, overarching way to characterize healthy romantic functioning that can reduce negative outcomes.

Attentional Bias for Sexual Threat Among Sexual Victimization Survivors: A Meta-Analytic Review

The current meta-analysis examined the effects of sexual victimization (SV) on attentional bias for sexual threat. This relationship was also examined among victims of SV with and without a current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The broader aim was to elucidate potential mechanisms operating between SV and negative health outcomes. As hypothesized, the findings supported a positive relationship between SV and attentional bias toward sexual threat stimuli, and subanalyses indicated that PTSD symptomatology significantly contributed to this association.

Predicting relational security among early adolescent girls Parental relationships and romantic experiences

The current study used multiple informants to examine the impact of relationship experiences with parents and romantic partners on relational security among early adolescent girls, over a 1-year period. Seventy-one early adolescent girls and their primary caregivers participated at Time 1 and 1 year later (Time 2). Findings suggest that both parental and romantic relationship experiences impact relational security during early adolescence. The most consistent findings from the current study were the ability of romantic rejection to alter the relational security of early adolescent girls as well as the importance of parent–adolescent attachment security in predicting comfort with intimacy.