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The COVID−19 pandemic may have uniquely impacted families of children in cancer treatment. Primary caregivers (N = 47) completed validated measures of COVID−19 exposure, impact, and psychosocial distress between July 2020 and January 2021. Caregivers reported several pandemic-related disruptions to daily life (COVID−19 exposure) and a negative impact of the pandemic on caregiver mood (70%) and anxiety (72%). A subset of caregivers reported a positive impact of the pandemic on physical wellbeing and family functioning. Family psychosocial distress was associated with higher COVID−19 exposure but not COVID−19 impact. Results highlight family resilience as well as groups with unmet psychosocial needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Mental health needs of transgender individuals can be complex with individual, social, and medical factors impacting symptoms. This study examines predictors of mood or anxiety problems among transgender individuals seeking hormone therapy (HT). Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted at 2 clinics providing gender-affirming HT. Cross-sectional data from initial patient encounters (N = 311) were used in this study. Bivariate correlations and multiple logistic regression analyses were carried out. Results Transgender women (TW) were 2.2 times more likely to have mood or anxiety problems while transgender men (TM) were 2.6 times more likely as the number of medical comorbidities increased. For both TW and TM, White race significantly increased the likelihood of mood or anxiety problems. Neither previous nor current HT were associated with mood or anxiety problems for TW and TM. However, receiving multiple gender-affirming procedures decreased the likelihood of mood or anxiety problems for TM. Conclusions Gender-affirming care and addressing comorbidities can be important aspects of mental health needs for transgender individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The landfall of Hurricane Katrina marked not only one of the most significant and destructive natural disasters for the United States in recent history, but also a new benchmark in challenges faced by psychologists providing services. The authors explain their roles following the hurricane, describing not only local activities for recovery but efforts conducted in the Gulf Coast as well. Experiences and perceptions of the first author, who was deployed to the Gulf Coast on numerous occasions, are highlighted. In addition, psychological assessments were carried out with a small number of displaced Katrina survivors who were relocated to the authors' local community. The authors document many of the challenges faced by psychologists and other mental health workers during relief efforts in the Gulf Coast, concluding with a set of recommendations for future disaster-relief initiatives regarding such issues as ways in which psychologists can participate in disaster-relief efforts, challenges faced when implementing interventions, cultural competency, community preparedness, and scientific research. Keywords: trauma, disaster, Katrina, cultural competence

Infertility is a worldwide problem that affects many individuals. As men and women age, the likelihood of conception begins to decline, resulting in an increased prevalence of infertility. Treatments of infertility focus on biological interventions. Those that continue to struggle with infertility may also seek mental health treatment. Men and women in midlife may experience a struggle between generativity and stagnation, often including the struggle between parenthood and childlessness. Narrative therapy is a mental health theory that emphasizes examining sociopolitical stories influencing clients and deconstructing these discourses. Possible therapeutic interventions are explored to bring about subjugated stories to increase generativity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multicycle reuse of disperse dyebaths on pilot scale Jet equipment was investigated in dyeing of staple and filament 100% polyester knit fabrics. Long reuse runs of single shades produced good batch-to-batch shade uniformity. Multishade reuse runs were found feasible in the forward (light-medium-dark) direction for both fabric types even though dyes were not completely common in successive shades. This added versatility over atmospheric reuse dyeing systems and was made possible by the high (96-99%) exhaustion of the disperse dyes in the pressurized Jet. Up to nine batches of fabric were dyed in the multishade reuse sequences to demonstrate the versatility of the process. Fabrics were analyzed as to color differences with standards dyed in the conventional manner, and end-to-end color variations assessed. Various fastness properties were determined for selected filament based fabrics dyed in reuse vs. conventional sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual minority persons have an increased risk for negative mental health outcomes in adulthood. This seems to largely be due to experiences of stigma in social settings. This study sought to understand the relationship between attending a religiously conservative college, internalized homophobia (a measure of sexual stigma), and depressive symptoms for sexual minority adults. Sexual minority adult participants ( n = 384) from across the U.S. were recruited and completed a Web-based, anonymous survey. A mediation model predicting depression through college religious conservatism, college acceptance of sexual minority identities, and internalized homophobia was tested using path analysis. Results revealed an indirect effect of increased religious conservatism of a college predicted higher depression through lower college acceptance and higher internalized homophobia. Implications for the mental health of sexual minority adults and future research are examined.