Phillips G 2nd, Ybarra M, Prescott T, Parsons J, Mustanski B. Low rates of Human Immunodeficiency Virus testing among adolescent gay, bisexual, and queer men. J Adolesc Health. 2015;57(4):407-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.06.014. Abstract: PURPOSE: Adolescent gay and bisexual men (AGBM) are disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but little is known about testing rates among men aged 18 years and under or about the barriers that they face when contemplating an HIV test. Therefore, we investigate here the testing behaviors and barriers among a diverse national sample of AGBM. METHODS: A total of 302 AGBM aged 14–18 years were recruited via Facebook ads to participate in an mHealth (text messaging-based) HIV prevention program. Recruitment was … [Read more...]
Iteratively developing an mHealth HIV prevention programfor sexual minority adolescent men
Ybarra M, Last Prescott T, Philips G, Bull S, Parsons J, Mustanski B. Iteratively developing an mHealth HIV prevention program for sexual minority adolescent men. AIDS & Behavior. 2016; 20 (6): 1157–1172. dio: 10.1007/s10461-015-1146-3 Abstract: Five activities were implemented between November 2012 and June 2014 to develop an mHealth HIV prevention program for adolescent gay, bisexual, and queer men (AGBM): (1) focus groups to gather acceptability of the program components; (2) ongoing development of content; (3) Content Advisory Teams to confirm the tone, flow, and understandability of program content; (4) an internal team test to alpha test software functionality; and (5) a beta test to test the protocol and intervention messages. Findings suggest that AGBM preferred positive … [Read more...]
Intervention-end outcomes for Guy2Guy, a text messaging-based HIV prevention program for gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent men
Ybarra ML, Prescott TL, Phillips II GL, Parsons J, Bull S, Mustanski B. Intervention-end outcomes for Guy2Guy, a text messaging-based HIV prevention program for gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent men. Oral presentation at the 22nd Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health; 25 Jul 2015; Singapore. Data from the Guy2Guy study collected in 2012-2013 are discussed. … [Read more...]
Online focus groups as an HIV prevention program for gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent males
Ybarra ML, DuBois LZ, Parsons JT, Prescott TL, Mustanski B. Online focus groups as an HIV prevention program for gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent males. AIDS Educ Prev. 2014;26(6): 554-564. doi: 10.1521/aeap.2014.26.6.554 Abstract: Seventy-five 14–18-year-old gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) males provided feedback about how their participation in national, online focus groups (FG) about GBQ sexual health related topics resulted in behavioral and attitudinal changes. Most sexually experienced youth agreed that their participation positively changed their views and behavioral intentions. Some said that being in the FG made them more comfortable talking about sex, their sexuality, and making safer choices such as negotiating condoms. Others indicated intentions to become more involved … [Read more...]
Online social support as a buffer against online and offline peer and sexual victimization among U.S. LGBT and non-LGBT youth
Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ, Palmer NA, Reisner SL. Online social support as a buffer against online and offline peer and sexual victimization among U.S. LGBT and non-LGBT youth. Child Abuse Negl. 2015;39:123-136. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2014.08.006 Abstract: In today's technology-infused world, we need to better understand relationships youth form with friends online, how they compare to relationships formed in-person, and whether these online relationships confer protective benefits. This is particularly important from the perspective of peer victimization, given that social support in-person appears to reduce the odds of victimization in-person. To address this literature gap, data from a sample of 5,542 U.S. adolescents, collected online between August 2010 and January 2011, were … [Read more...]
Outness and feelings of isolation among rural and urban gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent males: A mixed-methods study
Rivera Z, Macapagal K, DuBois Z, Ybarra M, Prescott T, Mustanski B. Outness and feelings of isolation among rural and urban gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent males: A mixed-methods study. Poster presentation at the 2nd Annual LGBTQ Health & Wellness Conference; November 20, 2013; Chicago, Illinois. Data from Guy to Guy (G2G) study collected in 2012 and 2013 are discussed. Outness and feelings of isolation among rural and urban gay, bisexual, and queer adolescent males: A mixed-methods study (PDF) … [Read more...]
Predicting adolescent sexual behavior by sexual identity and sexual attraction
Ybarra ML, Kosciw JG, Mitchell KJ. Predicting adolescent sexual behavior by sexual identity and sexual attraction. Oral presentation at the 141st Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association; 5 Nov 2013; Boston, MA. Data from the Teen Health and Technology (THT) study collected between 2010 and 2011 are discussed. … [Read more...]
The research justification for HIV prevention programming for lesbian and bisexual females
Ybarra ML, Mitchell KJ. The research justification for HIV prevention programming for lesbian and bisexual females. Oral presentation at the 11th International AIDS Impact Conference; 1 Oct 2013; Barcelona, Spain. Data from the Teen Health and Technology study collected between 2010 and 2011 are discussed. … [Read more...]
The Internet as a safety net: Findings from a series of online focus groups with LGB and non-LGB young people in the United States
Hillier L, Mitchell KJ, Ybarra ML. The Internet as a safety net: Findings from a series of online focus groups with LGB and non-LGB young people in the United States. J LGBT Youth. 2012;9(3):225-246. doi: 10.1080/19361653.2012.684642 Abstract: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth face special challenges during adolescence including stigma, alienation, and abuse which have been linked with social costs and negative health outcomes. The Internet has been shown to ameliorate the negative impacts of homophobia by providing access to friendships and support, information, romantic partners, and a gay community. In this qualitative study, internet use of LGB and Non-LGB young people were compared. The LGB young people were more adventurous in their Internet use than non LGB young people, … [Read more...]