Alex Abramovich
Biographic Data
| ID | 143377 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Alex Abramovich |
| GIVEN NAMES | Alex |
| FAMILY NAME | Abramovich |
| SIGNATURE | ABRAMOVICH A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Centre for Addiction and Mental Health |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4803-8724 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 69 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Inclusive measures, reductive analysis
“They were just a person who was curious”
Most conversations about the homelessness crisis in high income countries tend to center around the importance of meeting tangible needs like housing; however, there is strong evidence to support that housing is crucial but not sufficient. The psychological challenges associated with experiencing homelessness and their impact on psychosocial well-being—the ability to engage in society with a sense of purpose and meaning—need more attention, espec…
Adapting and Scaling-up Peer Navigators to Targeted Populations of Street-Involved Youth in Kenya and Canada to Increase Engagement in HIV Prevention, Testing, and Treatment
Street-involved youth (SIY), particularly those who identify as 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or other sexual and gender diverse identities (2SLGBTQ+), are among key populations disproportionately affected by HIV. We adapted and scaled-up a Peer Navigator intervention to targeted populations of SIY in six sites across Kenya (Eldoret, Huruma, Kitale) and Canada (London, Toronto, Vancouver), with the aim of increasing engage…
Building a comprehensive understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ youth homelessness
Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, plus additional sexual and gender diverse (2SLGBTQ+) youth are overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness. 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are an understudied population, which has resulted in gaps in knowledge about youths’ needs and experiences. The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize what is currently known about 2SLGBTQ+ youth and young adult…
Leveraging Health Administrative and Qualitative Data to Understand Mental Health Experiences of Transgender and Gender Diverse People
Mixed methods research (MMR) studies using health administrative data (HAD) coupled with qualitative methods can offer unique insight into the health inequities experienced by marginalized populations. However, little guidance exists on how and why to mix HAD and qualitative research. This methodology paper uses the real-life experiences of conducting an explanatory sequential mixed methods study to discuss methodological considerations when comb…
The mediating effects of minority stress experiences on cannabis consumption among 2SLGBTQ+ youth
Factors associated with the use of psychedelics, ketamine and MDMA among sexual and gender minority youths in Canada
BACKGROUND: Substance use is increasing among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). This increase may be due to changes in social norms and socialisation, or due to SGMY exploring the potential therapeutic value of drugs such as psychedelics. We identified predictors of psychedelics, MDMA and ketamine use. METHODS: Data were obtained from 1414 SGMY participants who completed the ongoing longitudinal 2SLGBTQ+ Tobacco Project in Canada between N…
“It saves lives”
Transgender (trans) and gender diverse (TGD) populations continue to experience significant inequities in social and health outcomes, often in connection with the systemic exposure of these groups to violence, stigma, and discrimination. Despite the promising role of peer support in mitigating adverse impacts of marginalization, this phenomenon remains under-examined. In this study, which is informed methodologically by an abductive approach to g…
Detransition Narratives Trouble the Simple Attribution of Madness in Transantagonistic Contexts
Victimization, safety, and overdose in homeless shelters
A typology of pathways to detransition
Investigating the mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness in York Region, Ontario
2SLGBTQ+ youth disproportionately represent the homeless youth population in North America and are at much greater risk than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts to experience homelessness. There is limited research on suburban and rural homelessness. This study reports on a mixed-methods study guided by the Social Ecological Model to understand the mental health and service needs among 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness across Yor…
Nowhere else to be found
Using scenario videos with Theatre Testing method to adapt a peer navigation model to improve street-connected youth's access to HIV care in Kenya and Canada
Theatre testing (TT) method demonstrates whole or portions of an evidence-based intervention to stakeholders to elicit feedback on context-specific adaptations and future implementation. The Peer Navigator Project (PNP) studied the adaptation and implementation of Peer Navigators in five urban sites to increase street-connected youth (SCY) access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment in Canada and Kenya. TT was used with SCY, healthcare provi…
Experiences of family violence among 2SLGBTQ + youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness before and during the Covid-19 pandemic
Introduction: Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness among youth; however, limited research has examined family violence among 2SLGBTQ + youth experiencing homelessness. The objective of this study was to engage a group of 2SLGBTQ + youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding areas in Ontario, Canada, to examine their experiences of family violence before and during the COVID-19 pande…
Mental Health and Addiction Services Exclusive to LGBTQ2S+ during Covid-19
The findings highlight the importance of offering services that provide culturally inclusive care for LGBTQ2S+ youth, and these results can also be used by policy makers to inform policies. In particular, there was a lack of culturally relevant clinical services for youth requiring a greater intensity of treatment
Barriers to and facilitators of accessing HIV services for street-involved youth in Canada and Kenya
Intersectional stigma was a critical barrier in all sites, and policies and programs that foster welcoming environments for youth from diverse backgrounds and living circumstances may be better able to respond to the HIV service needs of this high risk population. Social support and navigation services were reported to facilitate access to HIV services in all sites
Alcohol and cannabis use during the Covid-19 pandemic among transgender, gender-diverse, and cisgender adults in Canada
Increased alcohol and cannabis use among TGD populations compared to before the pandemic may lead to increased health disparities. Accordingly, programs targeting the specific needs of TGD individuals should be prioritized
Examining Covid-19 vaccine uptake and attitudes among 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness
Our study highlights the need for the vaccine strategy and rollouts to prioritize 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness and to address the pervasive health disparities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic
Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Previous research has established that gender and sexual minority (2SLGBTQ+) youth experience worse mental health and substance use outcomes than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Research suggests that mental health and substance use concerns have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study used self-reported online survey responses from 1404 Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ youth which included, but were not limited to, questions…
Peer support as a protective factor against suicide in trans populations
Outcomes for Youth Living in Canada's First LGBTQ2S Transitional Housing Program
This article offers descriptive and evaluative data for the first cohort of youth who lived in Canada's first transitional housing program for LGBTQ2S youth, operated by the YMCA of Greater Toronto. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to report on how youth experienced living in an LGBTQ2S population-based housing program in relation to mental health, self-esteem, community participation and family connectedness, and how access to cultura…
Navigating stigma, survival, and sex in contexts of social inequity among young transgender women and sexually diverse men in Kingston, Jamaica
Social inequities, including stigma, criminalisation of same-sex practices, and poverty, elevate HIV exposure among young transgender women and sexually diverse men in Jamaica. Yet the ways transgender women and sexually diverse men in Jamaica navigate sex and HIV in contexts of social inequity are underexplored. The study objective was to explore experiences and perceptions of sexual decision-making and HIV risk among young (aged 18-30) sexually…
Hospital discharge planning for Canadians experiencing homelessness
Purpose People experiencing homelessness are high-users of hospital care in Canada. To better understand the scope of the issue, and how these patients are discharged from hospital, a national survey of key stakeholders was conducted in 2017. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness distributed an online survey to their network of members through e-mail and social media. A sample o…
I'm more driven now
Background : Little is known about the resilience strategies of transgender and gender expansive youth and young adults (YYA) experiencing homelessness. In addition to difficulties accessing trans-affirming supports and services, transgender and gender expansive YYA must contend with structural constraints and oppressive messages about who they are and who they can become. Despite these challenges, transgender and gender expansive YYA experiencin…
Understanding How Policy and Culture Create Oppressive Conditions for LGBTQ2S Youth in the Shelter System
This study examined the experiences that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) homeless youth have in shelters and the disjunctures that occur for this population in Toronto's shelter system. The attitudes and behaviors of shelter workers and management toward LGBTQ2S youth were also explored. A critical action research approach, informed by critical ethnography and institutional ethnography was employe…
Preventing, Reducing and Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness
Gender non-conforming and sexual minority youth are overrepresented in the homeless youth population and are frequently discriminated against in shelters and youth serving organizations. This paper provides a contextual understanding of the ways that institutional and governmental policies and standards often perpetuate the social exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2-Spirit (LGBTQ2S) youth, by further oppression and marg…
I'm more driven now
Background : Little is known about the resilience strategies of transgender and gender expansive youth and young adults (YYA) experiencing homelessness. In addition to difficulties accessing trans-affirming supports and services, transgender and gender expansive YYA must contend with structural constraints and oppressive messages about who they are and who they can become. Despite these challenges, transgender and gender expansive YYA experiencin…
Outcomes for Youth Living in Canada's First LGBTQ2S Transitional Housing Program
This article offers descriptive and evaluative data for the first cohort of youth who lived in Canada's first transitional housing program for LGBTQ2S youth, operated by the YMCA of Greater Toronto. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to report on how youth experienced living in an LGBTQ2S population-based housing program in relation to mental health, self-esteem, community participation and family connectedness, and how access to cultura…
Nowhere else to be found
A typology of pathways to detransition
Hospital discharge planning for Canadians experiencing homelessness
Purpose People experiencing homelessness are high-users of hospital care in Canada. To better understand the scope of the issue, and how these patients are discharged from hospital, a national survey of key stakeholders was conducted in 2017. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness distributed an online survey to their network of members through e-mail and social media. A sample o…
Preventing, Reducing and Ending LGBTQ2S Youth Homelessness
Gender non-conforming and sexual minority youth are overrepresented in the homeless youth population and are frequently discriminated against in shelters and youth serving organizations. This paper provides a contextual understanding of the ways that institutional and governmental policies and standards often perpetuate the social exclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and 2-Spirit (LGBTQ2S) youth, by further oppression and marg…
I'm more driven now
Background : Little is known about the resilience strategies of transgender and gender expansive youth and young adults (YYA) experiencing homelessness. In addition to difficulties accessing trans-affirming supports and services, transgender and gender expansive YYA must contend with structural constraints and oppressive messages about who they are and who they can become. Despite these challenges, transgender and gender expansive YYA experiencin…
Understanding How Policy and Culture Create Oppressive Conditions for LGBTQ2S Youth in the Shelter System
This study examined the experiences that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and two-spirit (LGBTQ2S) homeless youth have in shelters and the disjunctures that occur for this population in Toronto's shelter system. The attitudes and behaviors of shelter workers and management toward LGBTQ2S youth were also explored. A critical action research approach, informed by critical ethnography and institutional ethnography was employe…
Navigating stigma, survival, and sex in contexts of social inequity among young transgender women and sexually diverse men in Kingston, Jamaica
Social inequities, including stigma, criminalisation of same-sex practices, and poverty, elevate HIV exposure among young transgender women and sexually diverse men in Jamaica. Yet the ways transgender women and sexually diverse men in Jamaica navigate sex and HIV in contexts of social inequity are underexplored. The study objective was to explore experiences and perceptions of sexual decision-making and HIV risk among young (aged 18-30) sexually…
Hospital discharge planning for Canadians experiencing homelessness
Purpose People experiencing homelessness are high-users of hospital care in Canada. To better understand the scope of the issue, and how these patients are discharged from hospital, a national survey of key stakeholders was conducted in 2017. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness distributed an online survey to their network of members through e-mail and social media. A sample o…
Access to Mental Health and Substance Use Resources for 2SLGBTQ+ Youth during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Previous research has established that gender and sexual minority (2SLGBTQ+) youth experience worse mental health and substance use outcomes than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Research suggests that mental health and substance use concerns have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study used self-reported online survey responses from 1404 Canadian 2SLGBTQ+ youth which included, but were not limited to, questions…
Peer support as a protective factor against suicide in trans populations
Outcomes for Youth Living in Canada's First LGBTQ2S Transitional Housing Program
This article offers descriptive and evaluative data for the first cohort of youth who lived in Canada's first transitional housing program for LGBTQ2S youth, operated by the YMCA of Greater Toronto. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to report on how youth experienced living in an LGBTQ2S population-based housing program in relation to mental health, self-esteem, community participation and family connectedness, and how access to cultura…
Using scenario videos with Theatre Testing method to adapt a peer navigation model to improve street-connected youth's access to HIV care in Kenya and Canada
Theatre testing (TT) method demonstrates whole or portions of an evidence-based intervention to stakeholders to elicit feedback on context-specific adaptations and future implementation. The Peer Navigator Project (PNP) studied the adaptation and implementation of Peer Navigators in five urban sites to increase street-connected youth (SCY) access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment in Canada and Kenya. TT was used with SCY, healthcare provi…
Experiences of family violence among 2SLGBTQ + youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness before and during the Covid-19 pandemic
Introduction: Family violence is the leading cause of homelessness among youth; however, limited research has examined family violence among 2SLGBTQ + youth experiencing homelessness. The objective of this study was to engage a group of 2SLGBTQ + youth at risk of, and experiencing, homelessness in the Greater Toronto Area and surrounding areas in Ontario, Canada, to examine their experiences of family violence before and during the COVID-19 pande…
Mental Health and Addiction Services Exclusive to LGBTQ2S+ during Covid-19
The findings highlight the importance of offering services that provide culturally inclusive care for LGBTQ2S+ youth, and these results can also be used by policy makers to inform policies. In particular, there was a lack of culturally relevant clinical services for youth requiring a greater intensity of treatment
Barriers to and facilitators of accessing HIV services for street-involved youth in Canada and Kenya
Intersectional stigma was a critical barrier in all sites, and policies and programs that foster welcoming environments for youth from diverse backgrounds and living circumstances may be better able to respond to the HIV service needs of this high risk population. Social support and navigation services were reported to facilitate access to HIV services in all sites
Alcohol and cannabis use during the Covid-19 pandemic among transgender, gender-diverse, and cisgender adults in Canada
Increased alcohol and cannabis use among TGD populations compared to before the pandemic may lead to increased health disparities. Accordingly, programs targeting the specific needs of TGD individuals should be prioritized
Examining Covid-19 vaccine uptake and attitudes among 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness
Our study highlights the need for the vaccine strategy and rollouts to prioritize 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness and to address the pervasive health disparities that have been exacerbated by the pandemic
“It saves lives”
Transgender (trans) and gender diverse (TGD) populations continue to experience significant inequities in social and health outcomes, often in connection with the systemic exposure of these groups to violence, stigma, and discrimination. Despite the promising role of peer support in mitigating adverse impacts of marginalization, this phenomenon remains under-examined. In this study, which is informed methodologically by an abductive approach to g…
Detransition Narratives Trouble the Simple Attribution of Madness in Transantagonistic Contexts
Victimization, safety, and overdose in homeless shelters
A typology of pathways to detransition
Investigating the mental health outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness in York Region, Ontario
2SLGBTQ+ youth disproportionately represent the homeless youth population in North America and are at much greater risk than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts to experience homelessness. There is limited research on suburban and rural homelessness. This study reports on a mixed-methods study guided by the Social Ecological Model to understand the mental health and service needs among 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness across Yor…
Nowhere else to be found
The mediating effects of minority stress experiences on cannabis consumption among 2SLGBTQ+ youth
Factors associated with the use of psychedelics, ketamine and MDMA among sexual and gender minority youths in Canada
BACKGROUND: Substance use is increasing among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY). This increase may be due to changes in social norms and socialisation, or due to SGMY exploring the potential therapeutic value of drugs such as psychedelics. We identified predictors of psychedelics, MDMA and ketamine use. METHODS: Data were obtained from 1414 SGMY participants who completed the ongoing longitudinal 2SLGBTQ+ Tobacco Project in Canada between N…
Building a comprehensive understanding of 2SLGBTQ+ youth homelessness
Two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, plus additional sexual and gender diverse (2SLGBTQ+) youth are overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness. 2SLGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness are an understudied population, which has resulted in gaps in knowledge about youths’ needs and experiences. The purpose of this scoping review was to synthesize what is currently known about 2SLGBTQ+ youth and young adult…
Leveraging Health Administrative and Qualitative Data to Understand Mental Health Experiences of Transgender and Gender Diverse People
Mixed methods research (MMR) studies using health administrative data (HAD) coupled with qualitative methods can offer unique insight into the health inequities experienced by marginalized populations. However, little guidance exists on how and why to mix HAD and qualitative research. This methodology paper uses the real-life experiences of conducting an explanatory sequential mixed methods study to discuss methodological considerations when comb…
Inclusive measures, reductive analysis
LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy (17 works) · Medicine (15 works) · Psychology (15 works) · Homelessness and Social Issues (14 works) · Sociology (12 works) · Transgender (11 works) · Psychiatry (10 works) · Social Psychology (10 works) · Mental health (9 works) · Political science (9 works)