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The purposes of this study were to identify the sexuality-related topics parents and gay, bisexual, or queer (GBQ) adolescent males discussed at home and to describe the topics GBQ adolescent males recommend for parents to discuss with future cohorts of GBQ youth. Minimal research on parent-child sex communication with sexual minority adolescents prevents the development of interventions that would benefit adolescent males with same-sex attractions, behaviors and identities. As part of a multimethod qualitative study, we interviewed 30 GBQ adolescent males ages 15-20 and asked them to perform card sorts. From a list of 48 topics, we explored sexuality-related issues GBQ males were familiar with, the topics they discussed with a parent, and topics they suggested parents address with GBQ males at home. Most participants reported that parents assumed them heterosexual during sex talks prior to GBQ adolescent males' coming out. Participants challenged the heteronormative scripts used by parents when discussing sex and health. Participants identified sexuality topics that parents did not routinely cover during sex talks, but that GBQ youth felt would have been useful for them growing up with emergent identities. A non-heteronormative approach to parent-child sex communication is recommended to provide appropriate guidance about sex and HIV/STI prevention to this youth population. Our findings highlight a need to reconfigure parental sexuality scripts to be more inclusive when assisting GBQ males navigate adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transition of care (TOC) process from pediatric to adult medicine ensures that adolescents receive ongoing care into young adulthood, a time of high risk for preventable morbidity and mortality. We explored patient, caregiver, and physician perspectives on ways to improve TOC communication with healthy adolescents. Two researchers conducted key informant interviews with healthy 12- to 18-year-old adolescents, their caregivers, and primary care physicians working in pediatric, internal, and family medicine. Data saturation was reached after interviewing 12 adolescents, 10 caregivers, and 36 physicians. Three themes were identified: perceptions of TOC; effective communication among the triad of adolescents, caregivers, and providers; and early communication about TOC preparation. From these themes, a model of communication was identified and adapted, outlining the communication skills and responsibilities for physicians and patients during TOC. Physicians must understand how to use strong, consistent, adolescent-centered communication to execute effective TOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction More than 300,000 soldiers have returned from Southwest Asia (i.e., Iraq and Afghanistan) with combat-related mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs). Despite less visible physical injuries, these soldiers demonstrate various physical and cognitive symptoms that impact their ability to reintegrate post-mTBI. This study explores family reintegration experiences, as described by married dyads, following a combat-related mTBI. Methods Nine soldiers with mTBI and their spouses participated, and a total of 27 interviews, both joint and individual, were conducted. Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory methodology and semistructured interviews were used to collect participants' perceptions and analyze the data. Findings The overarching theme of the reintegration experience is described as finding the 'new normal.' A new normal was defined by participants as the couple's new, post-mTBI expectation of the family unit or family routine. Some participants indicated that they had accepted the post-mTBI changes and were working toward this new normal, whereas others indicated these changes were unacceptable and continued their efforts to return to pre-injury functioning. Conclusions Individuals with mTBI and their families may benefit from interventions that directly address mismatched expectations and promote the acceptance of a new normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]