Research

Current Projects

REFRESH LGBTQ+ Teen Survey: Recognizing Experiences of Family Relationships, Educational Settings, and Health Among Sexual and Gender Diverse Youth

We recently completed collecting data (N=17,000) of a national sample of LGBTQ+ teens (aged 13-18) across the United States. We are studying sexual and gender diverse youths' health and school experiences in relation to intersections across their multiple identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, social class, weight). Further, we are exploring protective factors that may attenuate the relation between negative experiences (e.g., victimization) and academic outcomes and well-being for LGBTQ+ youth. 

Qualitative Experiences of PrEP and Substance Use

We are soon (2023-2024) conducting in-depth interviews of Black and/or Hispanic/Latino sexual minority men (n = 30) from a subset of participants who previously participated in the PrEP and Substance Use Among Sexual Minority Young Adults Survey (see Past projects; 5 waves over 2 years in total), in order to explore the PrEP care continuum for 18-29 year olds. This study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, K01DA047918.

SPARK Study

We are currently recruiting and following Black men who have sex with men (BMSM; n = 500) in the southeastern United States. This study seeks to understand barriers of stigma as they relate to PrEP use among substance-using BMSM. Over 18-months participants complete assessments every 2 months and HIV/STI testing and dry blood spot testing for TFV-DP every 3 months. During this time participants also meet with a health counselor to address barriers to accessing PrEP and to address the challenges of stigma and substance use as they relate to PrEP linkage, uptake, adherence, and persistence. The study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1R01DA053168-01.

LINK Project

We are currently collecting data from Black men who have sex with men (BMSM; n = 500) to test a stigma-focused intervention that aims to increase HIV/STI testing uptake among BMSM. The intervention includes components of online HIV/STI stigma focused counseling and at-home self-administered HIV and STI test assessments at 3, 6, and 12 month follow-ups. This study is funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 5R01MH109409-05.

LGBTQ+ Hookup Study

The LGBTQ+ Hookup Study was designed to investigate how casual sex experiences (e.g., hookups) are related to emotional and sexual health for LGBTQ+ young people. In particular, we focus on the upside of hookups, while also investigating the health outcomes related to hookups. We draw on interviews among a multi-site sample of 46 LGBTQ+ young adults from three research sites, including British Columbia (Canada; n=16) from 2015-2016, Connecticut (USA; n = 16) from 2018-2019, and Northern California (USA; n = 14) from 2018-2020.

Past Projects

PrEP and Substance Use Among Sexual Minority Young Adults National Survey

In 2020, we collected data from 992 young Black and Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men from the United States. Participants completed an online survey asking about their experiences with PrEP, substance use, HIV testing history, SGM-specific experiences (e.g., potential disclosure of identities, experiences of harassment, minority stressors), sexual health, and other health experiences (e.g., depression). We later followed a subset (n = 300) of these participants for our Longitudinal Study of PrEP and Substance Use (see below). This study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, K01DA047918.

Longitudinal Study of PrEP and Substance Use

We are currently following a subset (n = 300) of participants from the PrEP and Substance Use Among Sexual Minority Young Adults National Survey, in order to explore the PrEP care continuum for 18-29 year old Black and/or Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men. Every 4 months over a total of 12 months, participants are re-contacted to complete surveys asking about their PrEP experiences, substance use, SGM-specific experiences (e.g., sexual identity disclosure, minority stressors), sexual health, and other health experiences (e.g., depression, anxiety). This study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, K01DA047918.

LGBTQ+ National Teen Survey: Advancing the Understanding of School Achievement, Health Behaviors, and Family Experiences of LGBTQ Youth

In partnership with Dr. Rebecca Puhl and the Human Rights Campaign, we collected data in 2017 from over 17,000 sexual and gender minority youth aged 13-17 from across the United States. Our online survey asked youth about their school experiences, health behaviors (e.g., substance use, weight-related behaviors), experiences of bullying and harassment, and LGBTQ-specific support (e.g., family support). These data have resulted in over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles; full copies of these articles can be found on our Publications page. Scholarship pertaining to substance use and abuse knowledge translation related to this project is supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, R03DA046827.