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This study examines perceived source credibility of health information in a moment of TGD health disinformation. Through thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 30 transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals, findings suggest health information is marred by anti-TGD legislation, a sociopolitical force that bleeds into health information spaces. Disinformation and TGD health communication are intertwined in complex ways, whereby disinformation can undermine trust in healthcare institutions, lead to harmful behaviors, and contribute to the spread of diseases. Health communication practitioners need to center the safety and humanity of TGD people, addressing TGD health disinformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper foregrounds the agency of the body to explore how it is 'gamified' in the pursuit of a desired self-image. Gamified bodies are those that are tricked into metabolising in ways that suit the representational aspirations of the self. The aspirations that I consider in this paper are those of muscle, and how individuals trying to build muscle pursue various metabolic tricks to try and overcome, or otherwise suppress, the in-built agency of the body. Exploring and understanding these tricks contributes to feminist understandings of the body generally, and of muscle specifically, and its unruly nonconformity to the gendered expectations of the self in/and society. I illustrate these ideas through an empirical exploration of Singapore-based body builders. I consider how they are caught within the intersecting gazes of Singapore's socio-familial structures, (inter)national norms of gendered representation, and the agentic phenotype of Asian body sizes and musculature. By exploring how these characteristics coalesce, creating a dynamic that is constantly being negotiated through the gamified body, I advance an understanding of how muscles become imbued with illusory, rather than manifest, forms of meaning and value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that ethnic minority women in employment negotiate more than one culture and grapple with beliefs that stem from a bi‐cultural experience. Research also contends that gender is at the center of social reproduction and the production of labor and social reproduction is invariably linked. However, how is social reproduction at work, and how gender beliefs influence social reproduction and work‐life choices amongst highly educated, employed, second‐generation ethnic minority women, deserves in‐depth attention. Contributing to the intersection of social reproduction and diversity research, the present paper offers two life stories of highly educated second‐generation British Pakistani women and examines in‐depth the role of two cultures on gender beliefs and the influence of those gender beliefs on social reproduction and work‐life choices. Drawing on Ridgeway and Correll's (2004) work on gender beliefs, we extend their work by focusing on two cultures (the host country and the country of ethnic origin). While the literature has generally focused on issues of social reproduction across generations, our study also takes into account the contours of social reproduction across cultures. Our findings reveal the mechanisms of social reproduction, the push and pull of two cultures in the creation of gender beliefs within one person, the fluidity and fixity of gender beliefs, and the ways these are negotiated while the individual contributes toward social reproduction and makes work‐life choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite efforts to promote gender diversity, the construction industry in Australia remains one of the most male-dominated industries. Women, compared to their male counterparts, progress more slowly and encounter major obstacles to career development in the construction industry. Existing research tends to focus on broad factors that impact women's career development in all career stages despite the fact that women's career priorities often change as they progress through different career stages. This study applied Super's career development model to investigate the influential factors on women's career development across four career stages: explore (precareer), establishment (early career), midcareer, and late career. By conducting a systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, this research identified influential factors related to women's career development in the construction industry, namely, attitude, capability, interest, past experiences, family responsibilities, parental influences, role models, support, culture, organizational practice, and policies and regulations. Based on the women's empowerment framework, the identified factors were coded and synthesized into three dimensions: individual, relational, and environmental. The research finds there is a significant focus on providing relational and environmental support to women in construction, and less attention is given to individual factors. The review revealed that personal interest and parental perceptions in construction influence women's career development in precareer and early career stages, while masculine culture significantly impacts women's career development in all career stages. This study also summarizes the theoretical contributions and practical implications drawn from existing research on different stages of women's career development and provides guidance for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores issues of reflexivity and knowledge production when cisgender researchers conduct social work research, using feminist narrative methods, to advance understanding about trans and non-binary people's identities and experiences. Cisgender (or 'cis') refers to people who identify with the gender identity assigned to them at birth. The paper examines cis identity, privilege and positionality arguing for a reflexive engagement of the ways in which these influence ethical decision-making and research praxis. In this way, we speak to existing critiques that suggest that only trans and non-binary people should research their own experiences and identities. To address the neglect of gender diversity in education for social work practice and research, we propose that doing social work research with trans and non-binary communities requires cis researchers to adopt critical ethical reflexivity (CER) to scrutinise the impact of gender normativity and its effects in knowledge production for social work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to understand the mechanisms contributing to the elevated risk of depression among sexual minority older adults compared to heterosexuals. Specifically, the role of loneliness as a potential mediator is investigated to inform targeted interventions for preventing depression in sexual minority populations. Data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, focusing on adults aged over 50, were analysed. Sexual orientation (sexual minority or heterosexual) and loneliness scores (UCLA scale) were assessed at wave six (2010−2011), while depressive symptoms (CES D) were assessed at wave seven (2013–14). Linear regression models and mediation analyses, using g-computation formula and adjusted for confounders, were conducted. The sample included 6794 participants, with 478 (7.0 %) identifying as sexual minorities. After adjustments, sexual minorities scored higher on depressive symptoms at wave seven (mean difference): 0.23, 95 % CI 0.07 to 0.39) and loneliness at wave six (MD: 0.27, 95 % CI 0.08 to 0.46). Loneliness was positively associated with depressive symptoms (coefficient: 0.27, 95 % CI 0.26 to 0.29). In mediation analyses, loneliness explained 15 % of the association between sexual orientation and subsequent depressive symptoms. The dataset used sexual behaviour rather than desire and identity, potentially skewing representation of sexual minorities. Additionally, transgender older adults were not included due to limited gender diversity reported within the ELSA dataset. Loneliness appears to be a significant modifiable mechanism contributing to the heightened risk of depressive symptoms in sexual minority older adults compared with their heterosexual counterparts. • Being a sexual minority older adult is associated with future depressive symptoms. • Similarly, being a sexual minority older adult is associated with loneliness. • Loneliness acts as a mediator between sexual minority older adults and depression. • Reducing loneliness may reduce depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article brings Leo Strauss's "Persecution and the Art of Writing" thesis to bear on the crisis of independent thinking in modern Chinese intellectual history. It argues that while heterodox Chinese thinkers frequently practiced "writing between the lines" to evade censorship, conformist minds were equally adept at utilizing the charm of the clandestine—deception, fabrication, and self-mythologization—for their own agendas. To illustrate the peculiar tension between conformity and dissent, I focus on two Chinese thinkers who exploited esotericism at crucial junctures of The People's Republic of China's history: Liu Xiaofeng (劉小楓, 1956–), a conservative theologian who spawned a Chinese Straussian School to preach antiliberal doctrines in contemporary China; and Chen Yinke (陳寅恪, 1890–1960), a cultural traditionalist who resisted Marxist doctrines throughout the Mao era. Both Liu and Chen conceived of the public as a hostile and conformist crowd and deliberately developed special techniques of writing that contain multiple levels of significance—Liu named his variant "subtle words with profound meaning" (微言大義) while Chen called his "inner history from the heart" (心史). Though formally similar, these two approaches took Strauss's thesis in drastically different directions: while Chen deployed a rhetorical smoke screen of obscure references to tease the censor, Chinese Straussians wielded double teaching to conceal the conformism of their politics from the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature on mobility justice suggest that socially disadvantaged people experience uneven access to movement. The theme of diversity in terms of gender and its interplay with mobility and leisure have attracted some scholarly attention. However, research into transgender and gender diverse mobilities and its impact to leisure access remains limited, particularly from non-Western perspectives. This paper endeavors to fill this gap by investigating transgender and gender diverse mobilities in Istanbul, Turkey. Drawing upon 49 qualitative interviews with gender diverse and transgender public transport users in Istanbul, this study contributes to a scholarly discussion exploring the relationship between gender diversity, mobility, and their access to leisure. As such, it furthers the field of gender-oriented leisure. Transgender and gender diverse individuals continue to face significant issues, such as violence, discrimination, and harassment, when using public transport. Based on the experiences of the respondents, this paper concludes that driver training and education, and proactive educational messaging around gender minorities in public spaces could significantly improve the comfort and safety of transgender and gender diverse public transport users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The present study utilized an intersectional framework to examine if two forms of gendered racism, psychological emasculation and messages about Asian American men being undesirable partners, were associated with Asian American men's nicotine use. We also examined the potential mediating roles of two racial identity statuses, racial conformity and racial immersion. Methods: A sample of 356 Asian American men living in the United States of America (USA) completed a cross‐sectional survey via Qualtrics containing measures assessing the aforementioned constructs of interest. The primary analysis examined separate parallel mediation models, situating psychological emasculation and undesirable partner as separate independent variables, racial conformity and racial immersion as parallel mediators, nicotine use as the outcome, and age and employment as covariates. Results: In separate parallel mediation models, the links between psychological emasculation and undesirable partner on one hand, and nicotine use on the other, were completely mediated only by racial conformity, and not significantly mediated by racial immersion. Specifically, greater endorsement of gendered racism was associated with greater conformity with (and internalization of) these gendered racist beliefs, which in turn were associated with greater nicotine use. Conclusion: Researchers and practitioners may consider racial conformity as an interventional target to ameliorate Asian American men's nicotine use. Future studies should continue to examine other culturally relevant and/or potentially protective constructs (e.g., on the basis of gender, race, and its intersection) that may mitigate Asian American men's nicotine use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate how context might influence adolescent boys' and girls' ambition and the impact of gender role conformity and social status. Adolescent participants (N = 270) reported their ambition in one of three experimentally manipulated contexts: future education, future work, or a control. Boys experienced a significant negative drop in ambition in a future education context versus control. There was no difference for girls. Gender role conformity moderated the effects for boys such that the more conform, the less ambitious in an educational context. There was no moderating effect for girls. Social status had no moderating effect. Explanations are discussed, including how negative academic gender role stereotypes may affect boys' ambition and the importance of addressing boys' cultures at school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the extension of the c-chart control chart to Bayesian methodology, utilizing the gamma distribution to establish control limits. By comparing the performance of the Bayesian approach with that of two existing methods (the traditional frequentist method and the Bayesian with Jeffreys method), we assess its effectiveness in terms of the average run lengths (ARLs) and false alarm rates (FARs). Simulation results indicate that the proposed Bayesian method consistently outperforms the existing techniques, offering larger ARLs and smaller FARs that closely approximate the expected nominal values. While the Bayesian approach excels in most scenarios, challenges may arise with large values of the λ parameter, necessitating adjustments to the hyperparameters of the gamma prior. Specifically, smaller values of the rate parameter are recommended for optimal performance. Overall, our findings suggest that the Bayesian extension of the c-chart provides a promising alternative for enhanced process monitoring and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a severe, chronic disorder if untreated. Smartphone cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for BDD is efficacious and can reduce key treatment barriers (e.g., lack of clinicians, cost, stigma). While promising, little is known about who is more or less likely to benefit from this approach. This is a secondary data analysis of a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial of smartphone CBT for BDD. Participants (N = 80) were recruited nationally and randomized to receive a 12-week, coach-guided CBT for BDD app, either immediately or after a 12-week waitlist. The main outcome for this analysis was BDD severity (BDD-YBOCS) over time (baseline, week 6, week 12) during the active app use phase in each randomized group (n = 74). Secondary outcomes included treatment response (≥30 % reduction in BDD-YBOCS) and remission (total BDD-YBOCS ≤16) at end-of-treatment. Immediate (vs. delayed) CBT predicted better outcomes (symptom improvement), as did gender identity (symptom improvement), higher baseline treatment credibility and expectancy (response, remission), lower baseline BDD severity (remission), and sexual minority status (vs. heterosexual; response, remission). Limitations include the relatively small sample, drop-out rate of 22 %, and limited gender and racial-ethnic diversity. These results highlight a potential advantage of smartphone CBT in historically marginalized populations, and the importance of efforts to hasten treatment access, bolster confidence in the treatment at treatment onset, and develop stratified care models to optimize treatment allocation and efficacy. • Machine learning and regressions were used to examine predictors of app-CBT for BDD. • Immediate CBT, credibility, and sexual minority status predicted better outcomes. • App-CBT may be particularly helpful for historically marginalized populations. • Making treatment more readily available and credible could improve outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More and more aging adults are becoming grandparents in an era of heightened LGBTQ+ awareness, especially of transgender and nonbinary identities. This era is marked by progressive forms of childhood gender socialization as well, including the relatively recent advent of ‘gender-open parenting’: gender-open parents do not assign a gender to their children, and use they/them pronouns for the children until they express their own sense of gender. However, little research addresses these developments in grandparenting and gender diversity. This exploratory study builds on the grandparenting literature and examines the experiences of 11 grandparents from a larger project on genderopen parenting. Grandparents within these families must learn the tenets of this new paradigm to interact with their grandchildren. Using interview data and thematic analysis, several dominant themes from grandparents’ experiences are examined, including: their initial apprehensions, their efforts with genderneutral language, their mediating roles with others, the new perspectives they develop, and their lingering ambivalence. The discussion employs the conceptual frameworks of family systems, family ecology, and ambivalence to highlight the varying shades of agency and support the grandparents represent. Altogether, the findings raise important implications for research in grandparenting, gender, and LGBTQ+ family relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Despite medical school cohorts being composed of approximately 50% men and women, trainee positions in Clinical Radiology remain predominantly occupied by men. This study aims to identify reasons behind the gender gap, explore why more women are not pursuing a career in Clinical Radiology and to assess if there are gender differences in these reasons. Methods: Prospective multi‐centre study using a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire aimed at senior Medical Students and Junior Doctors. Results: A total of 318 participants responded to the questionnaire – 197 women (61.9%), 114 men (35.8%), 4 non‐binary (1.3%), 2 preferred not to answer gender (0.6%), 1 I/they (0.3%). The most common reasons for not considering Clinical Radiology as a specialty include 'perceived limited patient contact' (62%), 'never/rarely exposed to it' (59%) and 'too lonely' (49%). Reasons with the largest gender discrepancies were 'too technology heavy' and 'limited patient contact', both cited more frequently by women. Most respondents indicated that their opinions of Clinical Radiology may change with more exposure during medical school, more patient contact and more mentorship. Conclusion: This study has revealed multiple reasons why women may not pursue specialty training in Clinical Radiology. Notable differences were found in the reasonings provided by men and women. Limited Clinical Radiology exposure and mentorship in medical school result in a lack of interest in this specialty as a career option. A proposed solution is to offer more medical school lectures and more junior doctor rotations to debunk stereotypes that may be negatively impacting opinions on Clinical Radiology. More mentorship of Medical Students and Junior Doctors, particularly from women, may also help decrease the gender gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enduring global issue of women's underrepresentation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields carries significant implications for both societal advancement and economic growth. Despite the rise in women's enrollment in higher education, the persistent gender pay gap can be attributed in part to their limited presence in STEM domains, which tend to offer higher-paying career prospects. This study scrutinizes the impact of national policies on gender imbalances in STEM, focusing on the case of North Macedonia. It assesses existing measures and programs while proposing recommendations to foster gender parity in STEM both national and local scales. Employing a mixed research methodology, the study incorporates desktop research, statistical analysis of gender distribution in STEM fields, policy evaluations of national frameworks, and primary data collection through interviews and surveys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this collaborative autoethnography, I (Rose) discuss my personal experience with cultural transmission as cultural conformity. As a cultural hybrid and a daughter of a southern Italian proxy bride I share my narratives with a daughter of a Greek proxy bride (Maria). We find confluences in our experiences and understandings that suggest we are Daughters of the Diaspora. We may not be unique. Using a shared autoethnographical approach between ourselves and a collaborator (Jane), we construct and critique vignettes that capture and interrogate our understandings. This study offers a potential model for further inquiry by women who are daughters of migrant parents and who may have had similar experiences of the impositions of cultural conformity. This study is situated in Australia, but as global citizens, it behoves us in terms of social inclusion and social equity to recognise who our people are, the different way which people came to new countries and how that impacts the generations that follow them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the utilisation of Instagram as a platform for self-expression and the establishment of non-normative identities among gender nonconforming Malaysian Muslims. Specifically, the research focuses on Malaysian Muslim males who identify as gender nonconforming and analyse their video posts on Instagram. These individuals construct and manifest their nonconforming identities while navigating the complexities of Malaysian Muslim identity, cultural norms, and religious influences. The deeply rooted Malay identity, combined with the adherence to Islamic principles, presents a challenging conflict for gender nonconforming Malaysians seeking to establish their identities. To address this, many gender nonconforming Malay males adopt the “femeskulin” mode of micro-celebrities on Instagram, blending gender nonconformity with religious values. The findings highlight the potential for coexistence and the significant role played by gender nonconforming individuals in shaping “femeskulin” identity and expression among Malaysian Muslims within the social media platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent global events have triggered compositional changes in the workplace (e.g., intentional diversification and sudden team member removal). This study investigates whether team gender diversity and the novelty of membership changes moderate the relationship between team processes and performance. We found that development of team confidence plays a pivotal role in shaping performance through its influence on backup behavior. Moreover, gender-balanced teams were better at translating their confidence into backup behaviors, and teams experiencing reduced novelty during membership change events tend to leverage these behaviors more effectively, leading to enhanced overall performance. We explored several theoretical and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Behavioral economic theory predicts that high alcohol demand and high proportionate alcohol‐related reinforcement are important determinants of risky alcohol use in emerging adults, but the majority of research to date has been cross‐sectional in nature. The present study investigated prospective and dynamic relationships between alcohol demand and proportionate alcohol‐related reinforcement in relation to heavy drinking days and alcohol problems. Design: Longitudinal cohort with assessments every 4 months for 20 months. Setting: Ontario, Canada. Participants: Emerging adults reporting regular heavy episodic drinking (n = 636, Mage = 21.44; 55.8% female). Measurements Heavy drinking days (HDD; Daily Drinking Questionnaire), alcohol problems (Brief Young Adult Alcohol Consequences Questionnaire), alcohol demand (Alcohol Purchase Task) and proportionate alcohol‐related reinforcement (Activity Level Questionnaire). Findings Linear mixed effects models revealed that behavioral economic indicators and alcohol‐related outcomes significantly decreased over the study, consistent with 'aging out' of risky alcohol use. Random intercept cross‐lagged panel models revealed significant between‐person relationships, such that higher alcohol demand and alcohol‐related reinforcement were positively associated with HDD and alcohol problems (random intercepts = 0.187–0.534, Ps < 0.01). Moreover, alcohol demand indicators (particularly the rate of change in elasticity of the demand curve, as measured by α, and the maximum expenditure, Omax) and proportionate alcohol‐related reinforcement significantly forecasted changes in HDD at all time points (|βs| = 0.063–0.103, Ps < 0.05) in cross‐lagged relationships, with bidirectional associations noted for the rate of change in elasticity (βs = −0.085 to −0.104, Ps < 0.01). Proportionate alcohol‐related reinforcement also significantly forecasted changes in alcohol problems at all time points (βs = 0.072–0.112, Ps < 0.01). Conclusions: Multiple behavioral economic indicators (demand elasticity, maximum expenditure and reinforcement ratio) forecast changes in heavy episodic drinking and alcohol problems over the course of emerging adulthood. These results further implicate alcohol demand and proportionate alcohol‐related reinforcement as etiologically and developmentally important mechanisms in alcohol use trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sikh community may be more visible and vulnerable to racism than other religious groups, and previous research has documented the racism targeted at Sikh men and women in the United States. Relatively few studies have, however, addressed the racism experienced by Sikh communities in other countries, where racism may be less closely connected to the events of 9/11. The present study investigates the lived experience of racism in Sikh adults living in the United Kingdom. Six participants (5 male, 1 female) aged 19 to 30 years (M = 24.17, SD = 3.98) were recruited via advertisements placed on social media. Both Amritdhari Sikhs (n = 4) who had undertaken the Amrit Sanskar initiation ceremony or commitment and Sahajdhari Sikhs (n = 2) who had not undertaken the initiation participated. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (totaling 372 minutes of interview data), covering a range of subjects including personal experiences of racism and subsequent responses to the racist abuse. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the interview transcripts identified five superordinate themes. These were (1) Appearance and Visibility; (2) Inevitability and Normalization; (3) Coping and Conformity (Religion as Support, Fitting In, Internalization); (4) Education and Understanding; and (5) Bystander Behavior (Experiences of Intervention, Religious Duty to Intervene, Consequences of Intervention). Findings highlight the extent to which racism occurs and the increased vulnerability of the Sikh community (e.g., appearance being the focus of racist abuse). Findings also highlight the importance of religion as a source of support and cultural pride and the significance of education and bystander behavior. Future research should further investigate these themes and introduce interventions to support the safety and well-being of members of the Sikh community experiencing racist abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a ruling by the Federal Social Court (BSG) regarding the entitlement to cost coverage for a mastectomy in cases of gender identity disorder. The BSG decided that there is no entitlement to benefits from health insurance for a mastectomy performed in 2020. The claim of an individual for reimbursement of the costs of the mastectomy was dismissed because it is a new method of examination and treatment for which a recommendation from the Joint Federal Committee (GBA) must first be available. It is stated that there is no entitlement to a bilateral mastectomy at the expense of the statutory health insurance. The Social Security Code V (SGB V) does not provide for an independent entitlement of transgender individuals to body-modifying treatments. The concept of illness within the meaning of the statutory health insurance requires an evaluative classification and a decision by the parliamentary legislator. It is emphasized that the desire to change one's external appearance alone is not sufficient to justify a claim for intervention in a healthy organ. The text deals with the legal assessment of gender-affirming surgeries in cases of transsexualism. So far, the Federal Social Court (BSG) has assumed a treatable mental illness that justifies such an operation. However, this view is now being questioned. The BSG refers to the Transsexual Act (TSG) and the S3 guideline, which include an expanded view of gender identity and dysphoria. It is argued that the previous limitation to two biological genders does not correspond to the current state of scientific knowledge. The S3 guideline emphasizes that transgender identity itself is not an illness, but the associated distress can justify treatment. The present text deals with the question of whether a mastectomy for the treatment of gender incongruence can be considered a new method of examination and treatment. According to § 135 (1) SGB V, new methods may only be provided if the Joint Federal Committee (GBA) has issued recommendations on them. Since there is no corresponding guideline, mastectomy is currently not reimbursable by health insurance. The evaluation and qualification of such methods lies within the competence of the GBA in order to ensure the effectiveness and quality of treatments. The article deals with the legal framework for the diagnosis and treatment of gender incongruence. It is stated that the need for review may arise when the legal framework changes. The current scientific evaluation takes into account the diversity of all gender identities and emphasizes participatory decision-making between doctor and patient. It is emphasized that there are no objective criteria for the medical necessity of gender-affirming surgery and that institutional quality assurance by the Joint Federal Committee (GBA) is of great importance. It is also pointed out that the authorization reservation of § 135 (1) SGB V also applies to inpatient procedures if they are essential components of the treatment concept. However, a guideline from the GBA for the disputed service is not yet available. The text is about the German healthcare system and access to it. It is stated that the healthcare system has not been particularly patient-oriented so far and many people do not know who to turn to with their health problems. Especially socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals often have difficulties accessing healthcare services. [Extracted from the article]

The formation of online communities instils a sense of connectedness which can ameliorate the mental health concerns that result from minority stressors for lesbian, gay, queer, intersex, asexual, and other diverse genders/sexualities (LGBTQIA+). The aim of this study was to explore how LGBTQIA + people communicate social and mental health concerns on TikTok. It was anticipated that factors affecting mental health, such as minority stressors and community connectedness, would be addressed by the videos collected. Engagement statistics, demographics and content analysis were used to describe the 50 most-viewed videos across the top five related hashtags: #genderidentity, #lgbtqawareness, #sexualidentity, #lgbtmentalhealth, and #transmentalhealth. The content analysis indicates that TikTok is used as a way for members of the LGBTQIA + community to connect with each other and enhance feelings of community connectedness, which research shows may buffer the effects of minority stressors. Engagement with social media can be especially beneficial for those who may not be able to connect in the real-world. Further interactions, such as analysis of the comment section, should be investigated to develop a fuller understanding of how LGBTQIA + TikTok users respond to these contents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores open-ended student responses representing advice for belonging from all students in one junior high school with 3 grades of youth ages 12–16 (n = 618). Nearly 5% of responses indicated that there was no way to belong at all. A variety of ideas about what matters for belonging in school emerged, including features of academic life and relationships with teachers, as well as friendships. Surprisingly, responses suggesting personal dispositional qualities far exceeded any other emergent themes. These included calls to be nice and to be outgoing as well as calls to avoid being 'weird'. Managing and forming friendships were also very important. Chi-square analysis was used to explore differences across basic student characteristics for student positioning toward these emergent concepts of belonging. Gender and grade level stood out as significant, raising questions about how schools can organize to support belonging for students in middle level education. These youth represent the school context as a social and emotional space where they perceive normative dispositions are managed for belonging and where they grapple with authenticity. Implications surface for how to support students during important school transitions by attending to the social and emotional geographies over which young adolescents must traverse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on empirical research this paper explores how gendered discourses position emotions and emotion practices in social work environments characterised as 'macho'. It highlights the intersection of traditional emotion-reason dualism and gendered constructions of emotions with dominant hegemonic organisational and professional norms. This ethnographic study in an English Children's Service explored how emotions were understood and used in practice. It identified essentialist negative beliefs and a paradoxical positioning of practitioners' emotions alongside their constructive use. Problematic perceptions of professionalism fed into notions of conformity, heroism and transgression, devaluing engagement in agile emotion practices which underpin relationship-based systemic practice. Institutionalised dynamics created scope for differential impacts given practitioners' status and social locations such as, gender, race, age, sexuality or status. These findings contribute new knowledge, relevant to humane social work, professionalism and workforce retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines frontline educators as street-level bureaucrats and their pedagogical philosophies, approaches, and choices—what we are calling "street-level pedagogy" to prepare current and future public servants and nonprofit leaders. This provides crucial insight into how (or if) social equity is incorporated into syllabi through a critical reflection on what materials and perspectives are assigned and how they are communicated. Our findings show that gender diversity is more visible, largely through authors of assigned readings, but that visibility is dependent upon presentation method (i.e., citation style). The gender of the professor is linked to gendered patterns in selection of authors of assigned readings. Other types of diversity and intersectionality were visible in course topics and readings, which are discussed along with implications for communicating social equity in graduate nonprofit curricula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine whether gender diverse boards enhance intellectual capital performance, which is a measure of intangible resources. We have created a framework for panel data analysis for Indian listed firms and conducted estimation using the panel fixed effects technique. We also use the system generalised method of moments technique to assess the results' robustness. The results of the study indicate that gender diversity positively influences intellectual capital. The one aspect of intellectual capital which gets positively impacted by gender diversity is the human capital coefficient. These results suggest that women directors create policies that support the development and efficient application of intellectual capital. The female board presence associated with intellectual capital is essential for firm success in the knowledge economy. The study supports the regulation to enhance women's representation on corporate boards. It also gives feedback to regulators for changing and broadening the law beyond listed firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to investigate both extent and trend of intellectual capital (IC) information disclosed in annual reports and to examine the impact of board gender diversity (BGD) on IC voluntary disclosure in Tunisia. The statistical analysis is conducted on a sample of 54 Tunisian non-financial listed companies observed over the 2008–2019 period. Both weighted and unweighted disclosure indices, composed of 76 IC items, are constructed to measure IC voluntary disclosure extent in Tunisian companies' annual reports. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions are performed to analyze data. In fact, eight multiple regression models on panel data are developed to examine the impact of BGD on IC voluntary disclosure. The results show that BGD affects significantly IC voluntary disclosure extent, in line with resource dependence theory. BGD is viewed as a complementary corporate governance mechanism that has a significant positive effect on IC voluntary disclosure. These empirical findings have several implications for investors, managers, regulatory bodies and any other interested group as they report the matter of BGD on IC voluntary disclosure. By contributing to IC and BGD literature and adopting both unweighted and weighted IC index based on stakeholders' perception, this paper can be regarded, to the best of the author's knowledge, as the first empirical study that provides empirical evidence on the association between BGD and IC disclosure in Tunisia, as an example of a developing economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between board characteristics and micro-level organizational factors is an area that has been significantly under-researched, and there is a lack of understanding of how these two elements interact with each other. Hence, we aim to explore how board characteristics could potentially have an impact on individual-level job satisfaction. The dataset used for this study encompasses a total of 4020 observations gathered from 804 companies listed in the FTSE 350 and S&P 500 indices, and it covers the period spanning from 2016 to 2021. The results of the adopted multiple regression analysis showed significant positive relationships between board gender diversity, diversity of specific skills, board independence, board meeting attendance, board size, and average board tenure and employees' job satisfaction of the companies under analysis. However, cultural diversity was not found to have a significant impact on employees' satisfaction. We draw out the theoretical implications of these findings and provide practical recommendations regarding companies' boards composition and structure that help them to enhance the level of their employees' job satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children show less positivity toward gender-nonconforming (GN) than gender-conforming (GC) peers. Yet, little is known about children's reasoning about peers of varying gender expressions, including age-, gender-, and culture-related influences. We investigated how children aged 4- to 5- and 8- to 9-years-old in Hong Kong and Canada (N = 678) reason about their moral judgments of GC and GN peers. After viewing vignettes describing GC and GN boys and girls, we asked children whether each target peer's behavior was right or wrong and why they thought so. We coded children's reasoning using a new coding scheme developed via inductive content analysis. Overall, children's most commonly used reasoning styles were global standard, personal choice, gender stereotypes, "don't know," and others' welfare. Children used more gender stereotype-related reasoning when they were older and from Hong Kong, appraising the GN boy, or when they perceived the target's behavior as wrong. In contrast, children reasoned based on personal choice more when they were from Canada or when they perceived the target's behavior as right. These findings inform how age-, gender-, and culture-related factors are associated with children's reasoning about the acceptability or appropriateness of varying kinds of childhood gendered behavior. They provide insights regarding children's appraisals of different gender expressions by illuminating not only how they view GC and GN peers but also, from their own perspectives, why they do so. These insights have implications for strategies aimed at decreasing gender-related biases and increasing children's acceptance of gender diversity. Public Significance Statement: This study extended prior literature by comparing Hong Kong and Canadian children's reasoning about moral judgments of peers' gendered behaviors using a sample much larger than those reported in prior research. Apart from testing important variables including participant gender, age, and target gender and target gender expression, we gained valuable insights into cultural variations. Our findings can inform future work focused on improving children's appraisals of peer gender nonconformity via strategies that target reasoning styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the compatibility of gender-affirming care with the principles and practices of psychiatry. Conclusions: The assumption that there is no pathology involved in the development of gender diversity is a necessary precondition for the unquestioning affirmation of self-reported gender identity. Cases where psychosis is the undeniable cause of gender diversity demonstrate this assumption is categorically false. To protect this false assumption, gender-affirming guidelines forbid the application of the core psychiatric competencies of phenomenology and psychopathology to the assessment of gender diversity. They substitute the political goal of expanding personal liberty for the evidence-based medicine processes of clinical reasoning, rendering them incompatible with competent, ethical medical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of LGBTQ picture books—literary works for children containing lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer characters and themes—has increased considerably since 2000. While different segments of this category of books have been examined, there has been a limited examination of the entire genre. Using 234 English-language LGBTQ picture books available in the United States between 1972 and 2018, I conducted a content analysis of the main themes and central characters as well as investigate how the main themes changed over time and the extent to which they reflected the larger historical contexts in which they were created. I find that very few LGBTQ characters are cast as main protagonists and some (i.e., bisexuals) are completely absent. Similarly, I find an increase in diversity of themes over the decades yet with most centering on marriage, parenting, and domesticity. Together, LGBTQ picture books convey a limited view of the LGBTQ lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The memory conformity effect occurs when people witness a given incident (e.g. a crime) then talk to each other about it, and the statement of one person affects the memory account of the other person with respect to this incident. The aim of this article is to improve the quality of witness testimony by verifying the effectiveness of three methods that aim to reduce memory conformity effect: (1) an extended warning against misinformation; (2) a method based on information about memory functioning and its fallibility and (3) a method consisting in motivating participants to resist influence and demonstrating their individual vulnerability to it. In the presented experiment, the innovative MORI technique was used to study the memory conformity effect. This technique allows a pair of participants to sit beside each other, look at the same screen and see a different version of the same criminal event. In the next stages, the subjects are asked to answer a series of questions about different details, thereby introducing mutual misinformation; then, the participants perform an individual memory test. In the experimental conditions, this test was preceded by one of the three tested methods in each group, with the aim of determining their effectiveness in reducing memory conformity. It turns out that the implementation of an extended warning against misinformation eliminated the memory conformity effect, while the application of two other methods led to a reduction (but not complete elimination) of the studied phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

‘Little fresh meat’ (LFM or xiǎo xiān ròu), which describes a masculine aesthetic rooted in ‘soft masculinity’, is a phenomenon across Asia that challenges prevailing concepts of masculinity and patriarchal discourse. This study furthers previous research by using feminist critical discourse analysis to evaluate the construction of LFM masculine nonconformity, via data collected from 42 news articles from China’s English-language news media, including: China Daily, Global Times, People’s Daily Online, Shanghai Daily, and Xinhua News Agency. The analysis generated three key themes: (1) market driving a female consumer fan base, (2) challenging hegemonic masculinities when men wear makeup to imitate their ‘idols’, and (3) criticisms of gender stereotypes. These themes show how a masculine nonconformity discourse is developed by using a variety of discursive strategies in China. This study highlights the need for increased awareness and education regarding gender diversity and the harmful impacts of gender stereotypes on Chinese society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose that the 495-470 Ma Ollo de Sapo magmatism in the Iberian Massif was the result of a mantle plume event in the Furongian-Early Ordovician. This plume was located beneath the northwestern margin of Gondwana and caused rapid and extensive melting of Ediacaran arc-related crustal rocks and their derived sediments. Mafic magmas due to plume partial melting underplated the crust and were emplaced at mid-lower crustal levels (~15km), and provided the heat for crustal melting. Manifestations of the plume include (i) pronounced magnetic anomalies in the region which match the distribution of Ollo de Sapo rocks, (ii) the Toledanian unconformity (and gap), which is attributed to thermal doming, and (iii) the significant thickness variations in Lower to Middle Ordovician sedimentary successions in adjacent areas. In a more regional context, we infer that the plume was one of a cluster of plumes impacting the Gondwana periphery and that it contributed to the birth and development of the Rheic Ocean throughout Gondwana margin breakup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details revalidation of a higher-order (HO) version of the Parental Attitudes Toward Inclusiveness Instrument (PATII), measuring parents' attitudes toward curricular inclusivity of gender and sexuality diversity. The 48-item scale includes two HO factors: Supports and Barriers, and one first-order factor: Parental Capability. Responses from parents of government-school students (N = 2093) provided evidence for scale reliability, validity, and measurement invariance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether conformity to high‐ but not low‐status e‐confederates was associated with increases in identification with popular peers and subsequent increases in self‐esteem. A sample of 250 adolescents (55.1% male; Mage = 12.70 years; 40.3% White, 28.2% Black, 23.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% multiracial/other) participated in a well‐established experimental chat room paradigm where they were exposed to norms communicated by high‐ and low‐status e‐confederates. Results revealed that for boys in the high‐status condition only, but not girls, the positive relation between conformity and self‐esteem was mediated by greater response alignment with popular peers. These findings bolster prior research by suggesting that conformity to popular peers may be partly motivated by drives for self‐esteem and alignment with a valued reference group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research has documented an association between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology. However, much of this research has been limited to samples of men. To address this important gap in the research, the aim of this study was to determine the association between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology among a gender-diverse sample of Canadian adolescents and young adults. Data from the Canadian Study of Adolescent Health Behaviors (N = 2,719) were analyzed. Regression analyses were used to estimate the association between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, clinical risk for muscle dysmorphia, and lifetime anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use, among the overall sample and stratified by gender. Conformity to masculine gender norms was positively associated with muscle dysmorphia symptomatology, clinical risk for muscle dysmorphia, and lifetime AAS use among the sample. Moreover, findings were similar among boys and young men, girls and young women, and transgender/gender-expansive participants. Findings underscore the relevance of masculine gender norms in relation to the pursuit of muscularity among adolescents and young adults. Future research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms underlying the link between conformity to masculine gender norms and muscle dysmorphia symptomatology across genders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the critical role of boards and their significant interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, there is a scarcity of studies on board diversity within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. This paper aims to investigate board gender diversity in the AEC industry and provide a comprehensive overview of its progression over time, comparing it with non-AEC industry. The findings reveal that, on average, the AEC industry exhibits lower board gender diversity compared with non-AEC industry, although the gap between the two industries has significantly narrowed over time. The professional characteristics of female directors suggest that board gender diversity in the AEC industry seems to not yet fully embrace an inclusive and equitable work environment. Notably, female directors in the AEC industry have a shorter tenure, hold a higher number of outside board positions, display a relatively worse board meeting attendance rate, and tend to concentrate on professional positions related to finance, in comparison with male directors in the same industry or female directors in non-AEC industry. This paper contributes to the literature by shedding light on the specific dynamics and challenges related to board gender diversity in the AEC industry using comprehensive and up-to-date data. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a hot topic everywhere, and the AEC industry is no exception. Due to its reputation as a male-dominated field, DEI issues within the AEC industry have garnered more attention than other industries. Yet, a notable gap in understanding persists. Board diversity, particularly in the AEC context, remains relatively unexplored compared with worker and top management diversity. This study provides a fresh perspective on board gender diversity, an aspect of board diversity, utilizing comprehensive and current US. AEC industry data. The findings hint at a narrower quantitative gender diversity discrepancy between the AEC and non-AEC industries. Nevertheless, qualitatively, it appears that female directors within the AEC sector may not experience a fully inclusive and equitable work environment. This implies that although AEC firms outwardly significantly improved board gender diversity, they might not fully embrace equity and inclusion on their boards. These findings align with the idea that recent improvements in board gender diversity could be influenced by external factors, such as evolving societal perceptions and legislative actions. However, the AEC firms might struggle to tackle deep-rooted challenges, thereby limiting the realization of the complete benefits of authentic board diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a book titled "Psychoanalysis and Homosexuality: A Contemporary Introduction" by Leezah Hertzmann and Juliet Newbigin. The book is part of a series that aims to provide accessible information on various areas of psychoanalytic thought. It explores the historical development of psychoanalytic theory in relation to homosexuality and discusses societal attitudes towards homosexuality. The authors also address the harm caused by theoretical certainty and prejudice. The article highlights the importance of addressing biases and discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community in psychoanalysis. [Extracted from the article]

This paper reveals that male-dominant social networks through alcohol drinking is an important determinant that hinders women ascending onto corporate boards. Specifically, exploiting China's anti-corruption campaign launched in 2012 as an exogenous shock to the business drinking interactions, we find that the policy-induced reduction in alcohol drinking significantly promotes board gender diversity in Chinese listed firms. Further evidence shows that the effect of reduced alcohol drinking on board gender diversity is more pronounced in cities with a higher intensity of anti-corruption investigations and cities with less severe gender discrimination. Our empirical findings support the "old boys' club" hypothesis, suggesting that male-dominant social networks hamper the access of qualified women to higher positions in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Two‐Spirit, trans, nonbinary and other gender‐diverse (2STGD) donors face challenges in donation. While many blood operators aim to address these challenges, to date, no empirical study with these donors has been conducted to guide their efforts. This paper reports 2STGD donors' views on a two‐step approach asking donors their gender and sex assigned at birth (SAAB), and expanding gender options in donor registration. Materials and Methods: A qualitative community‐based study was conducted with 2STGD donors (n = 85) in Canada. Semi‐structured, in‐depth interviews were conducted from July to October 2022, audio‐recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using a thematic analytic framework. Results: Participants were divided on their views of a two‐step approach asking gender and SAAB. Themes underlying views in favour of this approach included the following: demonstrating validation and visibility, and treating 2STGD donors and cisgender donors alike. Themes underlying views not in favour or uncertain included potential for harm, compromising physical safety, and invalidation. All participants were in favour of expanding gender options if blood operators must know donors' gender. Conclusion: Results indicate that a two‐step approach for all donors is not recommended unless the blood operator must know both a donor's gender and SAAB to ensure donor and/or recipient safety. Gender options should be expanded beyond binary options. Ongoing research and evidence synthesis are needed to determine how best to apply donor safety measures to nonbinary donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses an aspirations-capabilities framework to provide insight into transgender mobility based on in-depth interviews with 30 khwaja sira sex workers in Lahore. Respondents narrated mobility as a defining and persistent feature of their lives linked to their gender variance and experience of everyday violence and discrimination. Mobilities were experienced as oppressive or liberating depending on how much control they provided sex workers within managing risk in their lives. Respondents differentiated between two main forms of mobility: migration and displacement. Descriptions of migration included movement from their family of birth to a khwaja sira community as well as between khwaja sira communities, and entailed both rural-urban and inter-city travel. Unforced migration was associated with resilience as it increased sex workers control over the social environment. Experiences of forced and intra-city movement resulting from everyday interactions with clients and law enforcement agents were seen as displacement. These experiences resulted in enhanced social, physical, and occupational vulnerability and decreased khwaja sira sex workers' control over their social environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Construction remains a male-dominated industry, with women underrepresented both numerically and hierarchically. However, the growing shortage of construction professionals and skilled workers can be addressed by engaging more women in the industry. The present study sought to answer two research questions: "What are the major barriers hindering the participation of women in construction?" and "Is there any relationship between lean implementation and overcoming these barriers?" The study investigated women's challenges and the relationship with Lean principles through a literature review and expert interviews. Two pillars of Lean, Continuous Improvement and Respect for People, were identified as potential mechanisms to support female practitioners, helping to eliminate the barriers identified. The study conducted 27 semistructured interviews to collect data on Lean benefits and their impact on gender diversity. Findings indicate that Lean provides team-related benefits, such as a psychologically safe and respectful environment, transparency, diversity, and inclusion, helping women build positive career experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While filial piety has been widely studied in Confucian-influenced societies, little is known about how it may influence the development of emerging adults' independence and interdependence. Using a population-based longitudinal study in Taiwan (N = 3,149; 49.5% females), this study examined the association between filial piety in adolescence (aged 13–15) and independence and interdependence in emerging adulthood (aged 22). Results show that greater adherence to filial piety in adolescence predicts higher independence in emerging adulthood. Additionally, greater adherence to filial piety predicts higher interdependence for females, but not males, when parents hold traditional gender-role attitudes. This study underscores the significance of cultural norms and parental gender-role attitudes in shaping individuals' development during emerging adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender and, to a lesser extent, sexual identity, are relevant factors in understanding variance in the prevalence, consequences, and treatment of conduct problems. The current study uses thematic analysis to explore how youth with early‐onset conduct problems and extensive histories of school‐based service use perceive gender and sexuality as impacting their service use experiences. Qualitative analysis of interviews with 41 youth (17–21 years old; 53.7% women) yielded themes pertaining to gender, sexual identity, and discrimination in service use contexts. Identified themes included homophobia in service use and adjacent school contexts, stereotypes around masculinity and femininity as conditioning peer and school staff's behavior, and salience of sexuality across developmental stages and historical timeframes. Results suggest that increased school staff training and school‐based interventions be implemented to support gender and sexual diversity, both within services for conduct problems and more broadly in school contexts. In particular, the current findings highlight homophobia as a factor limiting boys' access to mental health services. Practitioner Points: Youth who had received school services for conduct problems discussed how they perceived gender and sexuality as impacting their service use experiences.Youth described homophobia directed against boys who received or sought services, regardless of sexuality, which may particularly limit access to services for boys with conduct problems.Findings support the implementation of preventative policies and practices to address homophobia in schools, and suggest that these may be particularly important in schools providing specialized services for conduct problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Gender nonconformity refers to individuals whose gender identity, roles, or expressions do not adhere to societal standards and norms. Affirmative care is an approach to healthcare delivery in which organizations, programs, and providers recognize, validate, and support the identity stated or expressed by the individuals served. This study examined the effects of nonsurgical interventions performed by dermatologists, speciffically botulinum toxins (BoNTA) and dermal ffiller injections, on the physical and mental health of Filipino gender nonconforming individuals. METHODS: Six gender nonconforming patients received ffiller and BoNTA injections to enhance their desired facial features. The patients were interviewed before and three months after the treatment session. Baseline and three months posttreatment photos were used to examine treatment results, including the facial width-to-height ratio (FWHR). Three months after treatment, the patients answered a ffive-question Likertscale satisfaction survey. RESULTS: Patients reported high satisfaction with the treatment outcomes (median=5) and agreed that the treatment met their expectations (median=5). They reported improved ffine lines and wrinkles (median=5) and increased self-conffidence (median=5). All participants strongly recommended the treatment to others (median=5). Changes in FWHR varied among participants who requested a feminine appearance, except for one participant who sought a masculine appearance and whose FWHR increased. CONCLUSION: Sensitivity, openness, and knowledge regarding the facial aspirations and treatment preferences of gender nonconforming patients can improve outcomes and increase patient satisfaction in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Online gaming behavior is behavior that is formed as a result of playing online games through the internet network. The result of playing online games can affect a person's behavior, where students are in the stage of learning, growing, and developing Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationship between conformity (the tendency to conform to the norms that exist in social groups) with online gaming behavior in students of SMP Negeri Alok Maumere. Method: The type of research is correlational quantitative research. The population amounted to 741 students with a sample of 255 students taken using proportionate stratified random sampling. Data collection techniques were carried out using a peer conformity scale and an online gaming behavior scale with Likert scale mode. The collected data were analyzed using the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 23.0 for Windows program. Data analysis using product moment correlation test. Results: The results showed that there is a relationship between conformity and online gaming behavior where the significance value is 0.037 <0.05, which means that there is a relationship between conformity and online gaming behavior. It is expected to reduce the behavior of playing online games in their home, school, and social environment. So as not to forget the responsibility as an educated student. Conclusion: Based on correlational quantitative research conducted on students of SMP Negeri Alok Maumere, it was found that there is a relationship between conformity and online gaming behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanisms underlying sexual orientation differences in psychopathology originating in childhood remain understudied since sexual orientation does not directly manifest in childhood. This study tested whether childhood gender nonconformity and parental maltreatment before age 6 years 9 months partly explained sexual orientation disparities in the developmental trajectories of emotional and behavioral difficulties from age 6 years 9 months to 11 years 8 months. The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children was used (2182 boys and 2422 girls, Mage = 15.5, 90% White). After controlling for early life factors, non-heterosexual boys and girls displayed significantly greater emotional and behavioral difficulties than their heterosexual counterparts at all three ages. There was a sex difference in the mediating effects. For girls, sexual orientation disparities in childhood emotional and behavioral difficulties were partially explained by childhood gender nonconformity. For boys, sexual orientation disparities in childhood emotional and behavioral difficulties were partially explained by a path through greater childhood gender nonconformity, leading to increased risk of being the targets of parental maltreatment. Childhood gender nonconformity, parental maltreatment, and other early life factors only partially explain sexual orientation disparities in childhood emotional and behavioral difficulties. The mediating effects of childhood gender nonconformity and parental maltreatment on the association between sexual orientation and childhood emotional and behavioral difficulties differ between the sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing evidence indicates genetic and non-genetic influences on sexual orientation; however, the possibility of gene-environment interplay has not been previously formally tested despite theories indicating this. Using a Finnish twin cohort, this study investigated whether childhood gender nonconformity and early-life adversities independently moderated individual differences in sexual orientation and childhood gender nonconformity, the relationship between them, and the etiological bases of the proposed moderation effects. Sexual orientation, childhood gender nonconformity, and early-life adversities were assessed using standard questionnaires. Structural equation twin model fitting was carried out using OpenMx. Childhood gender nonconformity was significantly associated with reduced phenotypic variance in sexual orientation (β = − 0.14, 95% CI − 0.27, − 0.01). A breakdown of the underlying influences of this moderation effect showed that this was mostly due to moderation of individual-specific environmental influences which significantly decreased as childhood gender nonconformity increased (βE = − 0.38; 95% CI − 0.52, − 0.001) while additive genetic influences were not significantly moderated (βA = 0.05; 95% CI − 0.30, 0.27). We also observed that the relationship between sexual orientation and childhood gender nonconformity was stronger at higher levels of childhood gender nonconformity (β = 0.10, 95% CI 0.05, 0.14); however, significance of the underlying genetic and environmental influences on this relationship could not be established in this sample. The findings indicate that beyond a correlation of their genetic and individual-specific environmental influences, childhood gender nonconformity is further significantly associated with reduced individual-specific influences on sexual orientation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]