Roberto L. Abreu

Health and health care of rural sexual and gender minorities: A systematic review.

Prior research describes significantly worse health outcomes experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people relative to their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. A prevalent research focus on urban LGBT populations has created a gap in understanding rural LGBT health care and outcomes from a holistic perspective. The present article provides a literature review focusing on the health and health care experiences of LGBT people living in rural areas and highlighting challenges and opportunities for growth in providing culturally competent rural health care. We conducted a systematic review that resulted in the inclusion of 58 articles focused on the health of rural LGBTQ people published between 1998 and February 2016. Findings clustered around 3 themes: (1) individual health outcomes and risk behaviors, (2) experiences of health care and interactions with the health care system, and (3) sociocultural factors at the intersection of rurality and health. Evidence-based recommendations for systemic change and interventions to promote health among rural LGBT people are provided.

Training Mental Health Professionals in Child Sexual Abuse: Curricular Guidelines

Given the incidence of child sexual abuse in the United States, mental health professionals need training to detect, assess, and treat victims and should possess a clear understanding of the process of victimization. However, many mental health professionals who work with children and families have not been exposed to any training in child sexual abuse during their formal education. This article will examine the need for such training, suggest critical components of child sexual abuse training, and describe various methods of training (e.g., in person, Web-based, and community resources).

LGBTQ Youth Bullying Experiences in Schools: The Role of School Counselors Within a System of Oppression

ABSTRACT Sexual minority and gender expansive youth often experience bullying in schools. However, no study to date has provided school-wide LGBTQ-specific antibullying interventions grounded in current national and state laws and policies, nor the professional ethical responsibilities of school counselors. This literature review describes the context of school bullying for this marginalized population and highlights laws and policies preventing the necessary care LGBTQ students need to optimize their school and mental health outcomes. The role of counselors in preventing LGBTQ bullying—and creating a safe school climate—is explored and contextualized with respect to the professional ethics of school counselors. Finally, LGBTQ antibullying interventions that can be implemented by school counselors are examined.

A qualitative study of parenting and religiosity/spirituality in LBGTQ families.

Considerable research has examined reciprocal ties between religiosity/spirituality (R/S) and parenting within families headed by heterosexual married and single parents (Mahoney, 2010). Yet, no systematic studies have explored interlinkages between parenting and R/S within families headed by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) identified parents, despite evidence of the importance of R/S in the lives of LGBTQ people (Herek, Norton, Allen, & Sims, 2010). We asked LGBTQ participants (N = 75) in an online survey to describe how their religious and/or spiritual identity or beliefs influenced their parenting. Three primary themes emerged from analysis of the responses. LGBTQ parents used R/S to (a) teach their children beliefs and values, (b) facilitate spiritual dialogue and critical thinking so that their children could make informed decisions about R/S, and (c) provide a sense of belonging to a community and connections to others and/or a higher power. These findings suggest that, similar to heterosexual parents, LGBTQ parents draw on their religious and spiritual identity, values, and resources to support their children’s R/S development. The findings also highlight the unique motivations and strategies that LGBTQ parents use to facilitate their children’s R/S development within a social context that stigmatizes their family.

Hashtags and hip-hop: exploring the online performances of hip-hop identified youth using Instagram

Abstract Despite hip-hop’s popularity, little attention has been paid to its effects on youth gender performances on social media. This study has analyzed how youth who identify with three popular hip-hop songs interpreted the songs’ messages and performed their gender on the social media application Instagram (IG). Posts (N=450) from IG users were examined using modified consensual qualitative research procedures. Ten categories emerged that illustrate the range of gender performances which youth engaged in, each of which occurred within one of four domains: (a) mixed messages (self-love and visibility; relationships); (b) reified messages (party life; provocations; conspicuous consumption); (c) challenged messages (growth; making new meaning; teamwork); and (d) neutral messages (humor; other). The findings from this study illustrate the influential role of hip-hop music on youth gender performance in a natural context (IG). IG posts often mirrored, and in turn contributed to, the narrow range of acceptable gender performances in hip-hop, suggesting the need for youth media literacy skill development.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Maltreatment for Counselors: An Innovative Training Program

Despite counselors’ ethical and legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse, they often lack formal training in identifying and reporting child maltreatment. This article describes the implementation of an Internet-based child abuse tutorial for future counselors (N = 43). Data were obtained and analyzed using a mixed methods design. Pre- and posttest knowledge scores were statistically significantly related, with posttest scores higher, indicating the majority of participants had increased their knowledge. Qualitative data were coded using thematic analysis. Three themes described the concepts most often learned: reporting procedures and penalties, statistics/data, and maltreatment signs/identification. Implications for counselor training on mandatory reporting of child abuse are discussed.

Legal and clinical guidelines for making a child maltreatment report.

Psychologists’ role as mandated reporters of child maltreatment is an important responsibility. This article will provide direction to psychologists in interpreting state laws as well as practical and clinical guidance when confronted with making a report of child abuse. A review of the U.S. laws on child maltreatment reporting as they pertain to psychologists is provided. Psychologists will be guided through the process of making a report and how to handle this responsibility professionally and clinically. Important considerations are discussed with regard to psychologists maintaining compliance with their legal responsibilities and protecting children from harm. Recommendations for future training are provided.

Using Mixed Personal Growth Groups to Reduce Biases With Same-Sex Couples

Counselors serve numerous multicultural clients, such as individuals in same-sex relationships. However, some counselors-in-training (students) are reluctant to provide therapy to same-sex couples (SSCs). This article provides counselor education programs with creative guidelines/strategies for students to work with SSCs. Specifically, this article recommends a mixed personal growth group for counselors-in-training to develop better social-relational capabilities and multicultural sensitivity/awareness.