Markus P. Bidell

Addressing disparities: The impact of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender graduate counselling course

AbstractBackground: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience serious mental health disparities and treatment inequities. Counsellor education has been identified as both a contributing factor to these problems as well as an ameliorating mechanism to address these inequalities. Aim: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of an LGBT-affirmative counselling course. Method: A total of 23 students enrolled in a graduate LGBT counselling course were administered the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS, Bidell, 2005) and the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Affirmative Counseling Self-Efficacy Inventory (LGB-CSI, Dillon & Worthington, 2003) pre- and post-course. In addition, a comparison group of 23 matched counselling students was obtained from an existing data source in order to make further assessments of the courses effectiveness. Those in the comparison group were not enrolled in the LGBT course, but were administered the SOCCS at analogous time i...

Is There an Emotional Cost of Completing High School? Ecological Factors and Psychological Distress Among LGBT Homeless Youth

This study explored the nexus of home and school climate on the psychological distress of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) homeless youth, as well as their experiences during high school. Of the LGBT homeless youth (N = 89) surveyed, 39.3% reported not completing high school. Most participants did not seek support from school staff nor did they report attending a school with a Gay-Straight Alliance. Significantly higher levels of psychological distress were found among high school graduates and those reporting LGBT harassment at home; however, harassment experienced at school was not statistically related to psychological distress. Findings are discussed.

First impressions count: Ethnic/racial and lesbian/gay/bisexual content of professional psychology application materials

This article will help you learn about using application materials as one way to attract incoming ethnic/racial and lesbian/gay/bisexual (LGB) minority graduate students. Such materials are often an applicants first exposure to psychology programs and are typically overlooked as tools to be used to communicate multicultural information. The authors demonstrate that professional psychology training programs approved by the American Psychological Association that have application packets with more ethnic/racial and LGB content have significantly higher numbers of ethnic/racial minority students. The data from this study also indicate that programs are making small gains in using application packages to communicate ethnic/racial minority concerns and almost never mention LGB-related issues. Recommendations are offered to help professional psychology programs make better use of application materials to attract greater numbers of ethnic/racial and LGB minority students.

A Review of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Affirmative Counseling Assessments

Three recently developed lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) counselor assessments are addressing long-standing mental health disparities and advancing LGB affirmative research, training, and practice. However, no comprehensive review of LGB instrumentation has been conducted. Addressing this need, the authors review the (a) LGB Affirmative Counseling Self-Efficacy Inventory (Dillon & Worthington, 2003), (b) Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (Bidell, 2005), and (c) LGB Working Alliance Self-Efficacy Scale (Burkard, Pruitt, Medler, & Stark-Booth, 2009). Each assessment is reviewed in terms of development, psychometric properties, limitations, and use in research. Implications and recommendations regarding LGB affirmative counselor competency are discussed.

Case study of attempts to enact self service tobacco display ordinances: a tale of three communities

OBJECTIVE To examine self service tobacco displays (SSTDs) and youth retail tobacco access by comparing longitudinal illegal tobacco sales rates in three communities in Santa Barbara County, California, that considered or implemented ordinances banning SSTDs. A confirmatory survey was also conducted to substantiate the longitudinal data. DESIGN A longitudinal case study design was utilised. Five undercover tobacco buys were conducted between 1994 and 1997 (n = 332). In addition, one confirmatory survey was conducted in a geographically separated area, which had no ordinances banning SSTDs (n = 57). RESULTS Decreases in youth buy rates were reported in all three communities. Most notably, the first city to enact a SSTD ban, Carpinteria, achieved a 0% sales rate, which was maintained throughout the study period. In contrast, Santa Barbara and Goleta experienced considerable drops in their illegal sales rates, but neither community obtained results as dramatic as those found in Carpinteria. The confirmatory survey showed that 32.1% of stores with SSTDs sold cigarettes to minors; this compares to a sales rate of 3.4% in stores without SSTDs (χ2(1) = 8.11, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS Efforts to enact self service bans are likely to meet with retail and tobacco industry opposition, as was the case in this studys three communities. The process of community debate, resultant publicity surrounding the issue, and enactment of SSTD ordinances may serve to not only increase merchant awareness of youth tobacco laws and their penalties but also may contribute to reduced youth cigarette sales rates. Implications and limitations of the findings are discussed.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS): Establishing a New Interdisciplinary Self-Assessment for Health Providers

ABSTRACT These three studies provide initial evidence for the development, factor structure, reliability, and validity of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Development of Clinical Skills Scale (LGBT-DOCSS), a new interdisciplinary LGBT clinical self-assessment for health and mental health providers. Research participants were voluntarily recruited in the United States and United Kingdom and included trainees, clinicians, and educators from applied psychology, counseling, psychotherapy, and primary care medicine. Study 1 (N = 602) used exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic techniques, revealing an 18-item three-factor structure (Clinical Preparedness, Attitudinal Awareness, and Basic Knowledge). Study 2 established internal consistency for the overall LGBT-DOCSS (α = .86) and for each of the three subscales (Clinical Preparedness = .88, Attitudinal Awareness = .80, and Basic Knowledge = .83) and 2-week test–retest reliability (.87). In study 3 (N = 564), participant criteria (sexual orientation and education level) and four established scales that measured LGBT prejudice, assessment skills, and social desirability were used to support initial content and discriminant validity. Psychometric properties, limitations, and recommendations are discussed.

Modern Families: Parenting Desire, Intention, and Experience Among Portuguese Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Individuals

The aim of this study was to examine parenting desire, intention, and experience among a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals (N = 568) from Portugal between the ages of 18 and 76 years. Approximately 7% (n = 38) reported having children, with the majority stating a biological kinship with their children primarily from previous heterosexual relationships. The central focus of the current study includes participants without children (n = 530), on average 12 years younger than those with children. Among this group, 65% stated a desire to have children and 56% stated the intention to have children in the future. A multiple regression revealed that young age, involvement in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender events, and low religiosity significantly predicted parenting intention. To further explore the effects of age on parenting intention, an analysis of variance was conducted. Younger participants reported significantly stronger parenting intention, and these differences were detected between each age/developmental group.

Can Nature Heal? The Impact of Adventure-Based Counseling for Gay/Bisexual Men Living With HIV/AIDS

This study used qualitative interviews to explore the impact of an adventure-based counseling (ABC) program developed for gay/bisexual men living with HIV/AIDS. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight participants and responses were thematically analyzed. Major themes 1 week postinterventions included increases in social support, relaxation, time to reflect, as well as accomplishment of challenging activities. Six-month post interviews uncovered themes such as increased openness and self-expression, improved self-esteem, and improvements in psychological and physical health. Results indicate that ABC interventions can have positive and lasting benefits for those living with HIV/AIDS.

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clinical Competence, Professional Training, and Ethical Care: Introduction to the Special Issue

ABSTRACT There are exigent reasons to foster lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) competence, training, and ethical care for health professionals within an interdisciplinary paradigm. LGBT individuals experience serious health and psychosocial disparities; moreover, these inequalities can be amplified when other aspects of diversity such as race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability, and socioeconomic status intersect with sexual orientation and gender identity (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2011). While the origins of LGBT health and psychosocial disparities are manifold, deficiencies in professional training, ethical care, and clinical competence are underlying contributors (IOM, 2011). In addition, LGBT clinical competency advancements are often siloed within the various health care disciplines—thus advances by one group of health professionals often have limited impact for those practicing in different health and human service fields. This special issue explores LGBT clinical competence, professional training, and ethical care within an interdisciplinary context and, to our knowledge, represents the first attempt to address LGBT clinical competence from a multidisciplinary health care perspective.