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There has been an emphasis on understanding the detrimental effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on individuals' wellbeing. Healthcare workers, including mental health providers, may experience increased emotional and behavioral health concerns to a greater degree than the general public. The objective of the present study was to examine the frequency and the perceived effectiveness of various coping strategies implemented by mental health practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as differences across career stages (i.e., trainees versus licensed practitioners [LPs]). Survey data were collected from mental health practitioners (N = 888) assessing the strategies they used to manage COVID-19-associated anxiety/distress and the perceived effectiveness of these strategies. Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and t-tests were conducted to assess differences by career stage. Overall, respondents used various coping strategies, most commonly behavioral strategies such as distraction/engaging in an enjoyable activity (88.63%), spending time with loved ones (77.82%), and exercise (72.64%). Over one-quarter reported using alcohol to cope (28.27%). Respondents generally perceived their coping strategies as somewhat to very effective; no strategies were generally perceived as ineffective. Compared to LPs, trainees were significantly more likely to manage COVID-19-related anxiety/distress using supervision (p < .001) and substances other than alcohol or tobacco (p < .001). There were no significant differences in how effective trainees and LPs perceived each strategy. U.S. mental health practitioners' use of predominantly behavioral coping strategies, which were generally perceived as effective, during the first months of COVID-19 offers implications for interventions as the pandemic progresses., Author(s): Shannon E. Reilly [sup.1] , Zachary A. Soulliard [sup.2] , William T. McCuddy [sup.3] , James J. III Mahoney [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412587.d, 0000 0004 1936 9932, Department [...]

Positive body image has been recognized as a construct that extends beyond evaluation of one's physical appearance and instead focuses broadly on the love and respect people hold about their bodies. As a multidimensional construct, positive body image has been assessed via several different self-report measures. For example, body image flexibility and functionality appreciation refer to two aspects of positive body image that have been measured via the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ) and Functionality Appreciation Scale (FAS). Although the study of positive body image has expanded the body image and eating disorder literature, the majority of positive body image research, including the use of the BI-AAQ and FAS, has been conducted among presumably heterosexual participants. As such, it is unclear whether the factor structures of measures, such as the BI-AAQ and FAS, are supported among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals. The purpose of the present study was to assess the factor structures of the BI-AAQ and FAS via confirmatory factor analyses among a sample of LGBQ adults. Based on a sample of 197 self-identified LGBQ participants recruited online, the factorial validity of the BI-AAQ and FAS were both generally supported with unitary factor structures, as have been found among presumably heterosexual samples. Results suggest that the BI-AAQ and FAS may be used when assessing body image flexibility and functionality appreciation among LGBQ individuals. Future directions regarding body image flexibility and functionality appreciation measures among LGBQ individuals are also discussed., Author(s): Zachary A. Soulliard [sup.1] , Jillon S. Vander Wal [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.47100.32, 0000000419368710, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, , 60 College [...]

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased psychological distress, signaling the need for increased mental health services in the context of stay-at-home policies. ObjectiveThis study aims to characterize how mental health practitioners have changed their practices during the pandemic. The authors hypothesize that mental health practitioners would increase tele–mental health services and that certain provider types would be better able to adapt to tele–mental health than others. MethodsThe study surveyed 903 practitioners, primarily psychologists/doctoral-level (Psych/DL) providers, social workers/master’s-level (SW/ML) providers, and neuropsychologists employed in academic medical centers or private practices. Differences among providers were examined using Bonferroni-adjusted chi-square tests and one-way Bonferroni-adjusted analyses of covariance. ResultsThe majority of the 903 mental health practitioners surveyed rapidly adjusted their practices, predominantly by shifting to tele–mental health appointments (n=729, 80.82%). Whereas 80.44% (n=625) were not using tele–mental health in December 2019, only 22.07% (n=188) were not by late March or early April 2020. Only 2.11% (n=19) reported no COVID-19–related practice adjustments. Two-thirds (596/888, 67.10%) reported providing additional therapeutic services specifically to treat COVID-19–related concerns. Neuropsychologists were less likely and Psych/DL providers and SW/ML providers were more likely than expected to transition to tele–mental health (P

The present study examined differences in body appreciation and functionality appreciation between student-athletes and nonathletes. Additionally, the present study assessed differences in these constructs among female and male athletes outside of their sport and directly following participation in their sport. Seventy-five student-athletes and 211 nonathletes from a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I university completed online measures, including the State-Based Body Appreciation Scale and Functionality Appreciation Scale. Student-athletes completed the same measures following a sport practice. Student-athletes reported higher levels of body appreciation and functionality appreciation compared to nonathletes. No differences in body appreciation were found among student-athletes outside of their sport compared to directly following participation in their sport; however, student-athletes reported higher levels of functionality appreciation after their sport practice. Implications for coaches and athletic staff are discussed, including placing a greater emphasis on body functionality rather than specific body ideals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relationship between sexual identity, coming out, and eating disorders to more fully understand the high rates of eating disorders and body dissatisfaction among sexual minority men. A sample of 15 sexual minority men (14 gay, one queer) with a diagnosed eating disorder completed qualitative interviews about their experiences related to their sexual identity, coming out process, and eating disorder. Qualitative data analysis based on grounded theory strategies revealed that the majority of participants identified their coming out process as playing a notable role in their body dissatisfaction and eating disorder. After coming out, participants identified unique stressors from within the community of sexual minority men. Participants' responses were categorized into four theoretical constructs: (1) The Mental Health Toll of the Closet, (2) The Mental Health Toll Out of the Closet, (3) The Mental Health Toll of Assimilating to the Gay Community, and (4) The Mental Health Toll of Gay Dating and Sex. The findings are contextualized based on three relevant theories: minority stress theory, intraminority gay community stress theory, and objectification theory. This study found the process of coming out, as well as navigating stressors within the mainstream gay community, are critical to more fully understanding the disparities in eating disorders among sexual minority men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite training recommendations to address mental health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals, the current state of SGM affirmative training in clinical and counseling doctoral psychology programs remains unclear. The present study surveyed 147 clinical and counseling psychology graduate students in the United States. Participants completed surveys on affirmative training stances in their graduate program for sexual minority clients, gender minority clients, and self-reported perceptions of their attitudes, knowledge, and skills related to SGM clients. Results revealed that current graduate students reported more affirmative stances for sexual minority clients compared to gender minority clients. SGM graduate students reported fewer affirmative stances in their programs for both sexual and gender minority clients compared to their heterosexual cisgender peers. Lastly, SGM identity was a significant predictor of perceived SGM clinical competency beyond years of training, program model, or type of graduate program. Implications for training and future research are discussed.