Papers by Elizabeth Saewyc
PubMed, Jul 19, 2006
Some studies suggest lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) teens are at higher risk than peers for vio... more Some studies suggest lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) teens are at higher risk than peers for violence at home, in school, and in the community. That can bring them into the child welfare system or services for runaway and homeless teens. This study compared self-reported experiences of sexual and physical abuse based on sexual orientation and gender in seven population-based surveys of youth. The authors used c2 and age-adjusted odds of abuse to compare bisexual to heterosexual, mostly heterosexual, and gay and lesbian students. They also provide case studies to illustrate the experiences of such youth.
Journal of Adolescent Health, Feb 1, 2020
was also related to a decrease in risky sexual behavior for heterosexual girls (p<.001, b¼-0.54),... more was also related to a decrease in risky sexual behavior for heterosexual girls (p<.001, b¼-0.54), with a constant effect across years. GSAs were related to a significant increase in healthy sexual behavior for LGB girls (p<.001), again with constant effects (b¼2.22). There were no statistically significant effects for boys of any orientation. Conclusions: Results suggest that GSAs and anti-homophobic school policies can contribute to prevention of risky sexual behaviours and help encourage safer sexual practices the longer they are present in schools, but only among girls of all sexual orientations. Pregnancy as an outcome of risky sexual behavior appears to be the largest impact outcome of these models. Given the strongly gendered effects in these interventions, different population health interventions are needed to support sexual health among LGB and heterosexual boys. These findings highlight the importance of sexual health education and school-based interventions that are inclusive of diverse genders and orientations.
Journal of Rural Health, Aug 14, 2019
This study explores the relationship between rural residency, selected protective factors (family... more This study explores the relationship between rural residency, selected protective factors (family and school connectedness along with prosocial peer attitudes), and health-compromising behaviors (alcohol and tobacco use and nonuse of seatbelt) among adolescents. Methods: A subsample of adolescents residing in remote areas was extracted from a province-wide, school-based survey in British Columbia (BC), Canada (weighted N = 2,999). We employed χ 2 statistic to test rural-urban differences separately by gender. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the relationship between protective factors and behaviors compromising health. Findings: In boys, rural residency was associated with multiple problem behaviors (binge drinking, smokeless tobacco use, and nonuse of seatbelt), whereas for girls it was linked to riding without a seatbelt. The final logistic regression models confirmed that rural environment was a significant risk factor for not wearing a seatbelt among both boys and girls, and smokeless tobacco among boys (adjusted odds ratio between 1.44 and 3.05). Rurality, on the other hand, did not predict binge drinking. Logistic regression analyses also revealed that both school connectedness and prosocial peer attitude protected boys against binge drinking and smokeless tobacco, but the results were not as robust for girls. Conclusions: These findings could provide information for location-based intervention efforts promoting adolescent health, highlighting the protective role of the school atmosphere and prosocial peer relationships, especially among boys.
The Lancet, 2022
Indigenous peoples, comprising almost 500 million individuals from across 90 countries, hold the ... more Indigenous peoples, comprising almost 500 million individuals from across 90 countries, hold the longest continuous cultures on this planet. Despite the negative impacts of colonisation, Indigenous peoples have survived and continue to nurture and live their Indigenous knowledges, languages, and cultural practices. Indigenous peoples have made substantial contributions to global health. For example, the parts of the health sector controlled by the Indigenous community in Australia helped shape the principles of primary health care in the pivotal Alma-Ata Declaration in 1978, which is a foundation of universal health coverage. The Southcentral Foundation&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s Nuka System of Care, based in Alaska, USA, is an example of Indigenous community-driven overhaul of the health system to enable care that is holistic, sustainable, and aligned with community needs. More recently, Indigenous communities have exemplified effective, evidence-based strategies to respond to COVID-19. The potential for Indigenous knowledge and wisdom to manage complex ecosystems, amassed through stewardship of biologically diverse lands over thousands of years, can also help address the global climate crisis. Yet, Indigenous peoples have been largely excluded from health policy and action, both globally and locally. Where Indigenous peoples are included, it has mostly been to address health inequities that stem from colonisation and associated genocide and subjugation, systemic racism, and forced displacement from family, community, land, and culture—determinants largely not controlled by Indigenous people.
Preventive medicine reports, Sep 1, 2019
Research at the intersection of substance use and protective factors among transgender youth is s... more Research at the intersection of substance use and protective factors among transgender youth is scarce; emerging evidence suggests high risk for substance use for transgender youth. We analyzed data from 323 transgender youth aged 14-18 (M age = 16.67) to investigate the extent that risk (enacted stigma) and protective factors (support from family, school, friends) were related to substance use (i.e., cannabis and tobacco use, binge drinking). Enacted stigma was linked to higher odds of substance use behaviors, family connectedness was related to lower levels of tobacco and cannabis use, and more than one protective factor significantly lowered the probability of engaging in substance use behaviors. Support from multiple sources may be differentially protective against substance use for transgender youth.
The purpose of this study was to (1) describe risk and protective factors associated with a suici... more The purpose of this study was to (1) describe risk and protective factors associated with a suicide attempt for Māori youth and (2) explore whether family connection moderates the relationship between depressive symptoms and suicide attempts for Māori youth. Secondary analysis was conducted with 1702 Māori young people aged 12-18 years from an anonymous representative national school-based survey of New Zealand (NZ) youth in 2001. A logistic regression and a multivariable model were developed to identify risk and protective factors associated with suicide attempt. An interaction term was used to identify whether family connection acts as a moderator between depressive symptoms and a suicide attempt. Risk factors from the logistic regression for a suicide attempt in the past year were
Journal of LGBT Youth
r s e Ni c 2 0 2 3. Ro m a n tic lov e a n d involve m e n t in b ullyin g a n d cy b e r b ullyi... more r s e Ni c 2 0 2 3. Ro m a n tic lov e a n d involve m e n t in b ullyin g a n d cy b e r b ullyi n g in 1 5-y e a r-ol d a d ol e s c e n t s fro m ei g h t E u r o p e a n c o u n t ri e s a n d r e gio n s. Jou r n al of LGBT Yout h 2 0 (1) , p p. 3 3-5 4.
JAMA Network Open
IMPORTANCE Gender minority adults experience higher rates of sexual violence (SV) than cisgender ... more IMPORTANCE Gender minority adults experience higher rates of sexual violence (SV) than cisgender adults. How this disparity extends to youths, including perpetration rates, is unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare rates of experience and perpetration of SV by gender identity and investigate characteristics associated with odds of perpetration within gender identity categories. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study used baseline data from a national online longitudinal survey collected in 2018 to 2020. Eligible participants were youths ages 14 to 16 years who read English and had internet access. Data were analyzed in November 2021 and March 2022. EXPOSURES Youth characteristics included stressors associated with being marginalized (eg, internalized transphobia), general stressors (eg, trauma not associated with experiencing SV), other marginalized statuses (eg, identifying as a girl), factors associated with protection (eg, social support), environmental characteristics (eg, community violence exposure), and risk factors associated with SV (eg, consumption of violent pornography). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Self-reported rates of experiencing and perpetrating SV, defined as sexual assault, rape, attempted rape, and coercive sex, among cisgender, transgender, and nonbinary youths. RESULTS Among 4193 youths in the sample (mean [SD] age, 14.8 [0.7] years), 3282 participants (78.3%) were cisgender, 329 participants (7.9%) were transgender, and 582 participants (13.9%) were nonbinary. The odds of SV perpetration were not statistically significantly different for transgender boys and girls (odds ratio [OR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.57-1.41; P = .64) or nonbinary youths (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.54-1.12; P = .18) compared with cisgender boys and girls. By contrast, transgender boys and girls (OR, 2.31; 95% CI, 1.83-2.91; P < .001) and nonbinary youths (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.98-2.83; P < .001) were more than 2-fold as likely as cisgender boys and girls to report experiencing SV.
Cogent Medicine, Dec 4, 2020
Background: In December 2019, a novel disease was found in Wuhan, China, that was named coronavir... more Background: In December 2019, a novel disease was found in Wuhan, China, that was named coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and the virus causing it was named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). On Wednesday, February 26, Greece confirmed the first coronavirus case. On Saturday, August 15, we confirmed the youngest Covid-19 patient in our country. Case Study: On 13 August 2020, a 3.5-month-old girl was admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Room, with reported fever (38.3oC) for 24 hours and mild rhinitis. There wasn't any Covid-19 positive person in the infant's environment. Both parents were free of symptoms with no recent travel history. On admission, the clinical examination revealed a well-appearing infant, apart from mild rhinitis, with normal findings from the auscultation and the examination of all systems. She was afebrile with 98% oxygen saturation and normal respiratory rate. Laboratory results were normal for her age. A chest radiograph was not performed because of her wellbeing. Due to the recent rise of the-novel-coronavirus cases in our region, we classified her as a suspected case of Covid-19. A nasopharyngeal specimen taken on admission and tested by rRT-PCR confirmed the diagnosis of Covid-19 infection. She became afebrile after 24 hours and was released on her 3rd hospital day. Her parents were found negative for Covid-19 infection and are about to submit a second specimen in 7 days. Learning Points Discussion: Clinical manifestations of children's Covid-19 cases are less severe than those of adult patients, probably due to differences in the expression of the angiotensinconverting enzyme (ACE) 2 receptor necessary for SARS-CoV-2 binding and infection. This receptor
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2021
Cette etude a ete financee par la bourse no MOP119472 des Instituts de recherche en sante du Cana... more Cette etude a ete financee par la bourse no MOP119472 des Instituts de recherche en sante du Canada : Institut de la sante des femmes et des hommes, et Institut de la sante publique et des populations (Elizabeth Saewyc, chercheuse principale).
ImportanceUnderstanding feasibility of rapid testing in congregate living setting provides critic... more ImportanceUnderstanding feasibility of rapid testing in congregate living setting provides critical data to reduce the risk of outbreaks in these settings.ObjectiveUse rapid antigen screening to detect SARS-CoV-2 in an asymptomatic group of university students and staff.DesignCross-sectionalSettingUniversity of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.ParticipantsStudents and staff living or working in congregate housing.InterventionHealth care professional administered rapid antigen testMain Outcomes and measuresUse of BD Veritor rapid antigen testing and asymptomatic participants’ experiences with rapid testingResultsA total of 3536 BD Veritor tests were completed in 1141 unique individuals. One third of participants completed between two to four tests and 21% were screened five or more times. The mean number of tests completed per person was three. The mean length of time between those who had more than one test was seven days. There were eight false positives and 25 PCR confirmed COV...
Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2019
Objectives Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents often report compromised relations with t... more Objectives Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents often report compromised relations with their families. Given the recent changes in societal attitudes toward LGB individuals, in respect to rights for marriage and other legal statuses, we explore whether or not there has been a change in how LGB and heterosexual adolescents perceive their family relations over time. Methods Using the British Columbia Adolescent Health Survey from British Columbia, Canada (N = 99,373; M age = 14.8), we investigated the trends and disparities in family connectedness and mother/father support in four data sets from 1998 to 2013. Results We found that while levels of perceived family connectedness and parent support have increased for heterosexual adolescents since 1998, the same increases were not found for LGB adolescents. Among LGB participants, levels of perceived connectedness/support generally decreased in each survey wave, especially among females. Alarmingly, significant disparities in these perceptions remained for LGB youth over time. Conclusions Our findings have implications for supportive interventions focused on LGB adolescents and their families and in particular, the role of father support.
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2019
PURPOSE Runaway adolescents often have strained relationships with their parents. Given parental ... more PURPOSE Runaway adolescents often have strained relationships with their parents. Given parental support is an important protective resource for traumatized young people, understanding differences in support within parent-adolescent relationships could aid in designing more effective interventions. We hypothesized (1) runaway adolescents seen at a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) would have poorer parental relationships than adolescents without a history of running away and (2) severity of diagnosed sexual violence would be associated with lower parental connectedness. METHODS Data were from 2,042 adolescents aged 10-19 years and their parents evaluated for any reason at our hospital-based CAC from 2008 to 2017. Parent-adolescent relationship scales were completed by adolescents and at least one parent/guardian (usually mothers). Sexual abuse was stratified at four levels, higher levels indicating increasingly severe forms of abuse. T-tests and analyses of variance to tested relationships between supportive and controlling parental behaviors by runaway status, and, among runaways, by the severity of sexual abuse. RESULTS Runaway adolescents comprised 58.3% of adolescents seen at the CAC; runaways reported lower parental support and higher parental controlling than patients without a history of running away. Those with the most severe forms of sexual abuse (including sexual exploitation and gang rape) reported the least supportive and most controlling relationships with parents, as did their parents. CONCLUSIONS Findings support our clinical observations that polyvictimization of adolescents who have spent significant time as runaways may further strain parent-adolescent relationships. Future clinical research should focus on developing interventions to promote parental connectedness after a runaway episode.
The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 2019
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2019
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Papers by Elizabeth Saewyc