Andréa R Kaniuka
Biographic Data
| ID | 4459732 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Andréa R Kaniuka |
| GIVEN NAMES | Andréa R |
| FAMILY NAME | Kaniuka |
| SIGNATURE | KANIUKA A R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-4667-4559 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 23 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 5 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 23 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
The impact of RuPaul’s Drag Race on cisgender, heterosexual individuals’ understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences
Hate crime law associations with mental health and discrimination experiences among transgender and gender diverse adults
State‐level hate crime laws are a proposed solution for pernicious effects endured by transgender and gender diverse (e.g., no‐binary, queer) (TGD) communities. The present study investigated the following correlates of psychological distress, suicidal behavior, and discrimination experiences among TGD adults: State‐level hate crime law statutes (e.g., gender identity protection), state‐level attitudes (e.g., conservative ideology), and individua…
The link between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ college students’ experiences of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ discrimination and psychological symptoms in the context …
Healthcare discrimination and treatment adherence among sexual and gender minority individuals living with chronic illness
Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are at increased risk for an array of chronic illness due to minority stress. Up to 70% of SGM individuals report healthcare discrimination, which may cause additional challenges for SGM people living with chronic illness including avoiding necessary healthcare. The extant literature highlights how healthcare discrimination is associated with depressive symptoms and treatment nonadherence. …
I wanted to be proud of myself, not ashamed”
Inflection points are pivotal moments immediately preceding self-directed violence (SDV; i.e., self-injury and suicide). This study qualitatively examined factors that contributed to halting SDV during inflection points. Participants ( N = 166) completing an online survey were community-dwelling adults in the United Kingdom with some form of SDV lived experience. Thematic analysis yielded the following results. The most common themes across SDV i…
Latent profiles and psychosocial correlates of persistent self-injury among incarcerated adults
Self-directed violence (SDV), including both suicide and non-suicidal self-injury, represents a major challenge for carceral systems. Persistent self-injury (PSI) is an understudied SDV subtype, especially within the carceral context. The present study addressed three research questions: (a) do naturally occurring SDV subgroups occur within a carceral population (e.g., PSI versus other classes); (b) how SDV groups may be differentiated by verbal …
A grounded theory of sexual and gender minority suicide risk
Social-Ecological Correlates of Social Well-Being in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults in the USA
Introduction Emerging transgender and gender diverse (TGD) health models focus on social well-being. The present study contributes to this movement through investigation of hate crime statutes, state-level political and anti-TGD attitudes, and multiple marginalized identities as correlates of social well-being (i.e., outness, community connection, and workplace and familial support). Methods The current study merged data from three sources: (a) t…
Assessing attitudes about hate
Gender, sexual orientation, and mental health in the kink community
A growing literature on kink practitioners reveals a complex picture of elevated risk of suicidal behaviors co-occurring with reduced reports of negative mental health outcomes. A key to understanding this conflicting pattern may be through identifying specific risk and protective mechanisms among distinct subgroups of kink practitioners. Comparisons in the health of kink practitioners based on gender and sexual orientation are currently lacking …
Anticipated Sexual Minority Stress and Mental Health after the 2016 Presidential Election
Sexual minorities are at an increased risk for psychopathology, compared to heterosexual counterparts, in part due to stressors unique to their sexual minority identity. The greater socio-political climate may exacerbate sexual minority stress, and the context of the 2016 United States presidential election infringed upon the rights and well-being of LGBQ individuals. In our sample of sexual minorities (n = 253), we examined the association betwe…
Covid-19 Exposure, Stress, and Mental Health Outcomes
This study focuses on identifying COVID-19 related exposure, stress, and mental health concerns in the larger Charlotte, North Carolina region, an area with many low-income and under resourced communities. A community-academic partnership conducted a regional COVID-19 needs assessment. Low-income adults ( N = 156) completed an online-administered survey of demographic information, COVID-19 exposure, stress, coping-related factors, and mental heal…
An Epidemiologic Analysis of Associations between County-Level Per Capita Income, Unemployment Rate, and Covid-19 Vaccination Rates in the United States
The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine associations between per capita income, unemployment rates, and COVID-19 vaccination rates at the county-level across the United States (U.S.), as well as to identify the interaction effects between county-level per capita income, unemployment rates, and racial/ethnic composition on COVID-19 vaccination rates. All counties in the U.S. that reported COVID-19 vaccination rates from January 2021 …
We are just magic”
Current findings may have clinical implications. Using narrative therapy approach, facilitating connectedness to the BSGLM community, and implementing gratitude interventions in therapeutic settings may enhance self-love and positive self-regard among BSGLM. Future research should continue to give voice to the full lived experience of BSGLM. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
A pilot evaluation of sexual and gender minority identity measures in a treatment-engaged military veteran sample
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) military veterans have endured a history of discriminatory policies and hetero- and cis-sexist-related military culture that can negatively impact identity and mental health. The present pilot evaluation examined measure characteristics of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS) and lesbian, gay, and bisexual positive identity measure (LGB-PIM) in a clinical sample of SGM military veterans in order t…
Making the Case for a Preferences in Information Processing Model of Suicide
Introduction: In recent years, practice friendly models of suicidal behavior have emerged in the form of “ideation-to-action” frameworks. These frameworks focus on processes influencing both the formation of suicidal ideation and the translation of that ideation to suicide attempt and death. In this paper, we proffer an emerging model of suicide, Preferences in Information Processing (PIP), to augment contemporary suicide theories. First, we prov…
A psychometric assessment of a network social capital scale among sexual minority men and gender minority individuals
This study extended the psychometric properties of a preliminary social capital instrument modified from a prior study in a different population and context. The modified measure has implications for use among sexual minority men and gender minority individuals to measure social capital within social networks. Previous studies suggest that interventions to enhance social capital among sexual minority men and gender minority individuals may be ben…
Perceptions of HIV Research Participation Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who Have Sex with Men and Transgender and Nonbinary Adults
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to disproportionately affect gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) and transgender and nonbinary (trans/NB) individuals. This study investigated attitudes toward participation in HIV survey research, guided by Emanuel's framework for ethical clinical research (e.g., risk-benefit ratio, fair participant selection, respect for participants, social value, and collaborative partnership).…
Sexual violence victimization and suicide
Sexual violence victimization is a prevalent public health concern. However, little research has investigated the factors linking sexual violence victimization to suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). The current study tested the applicability of the psychological mediation framework, a coping‐mental health model, for the prevention of STBs among victims of sexual youviolence. Furthermore, the current study explored whether sexual orientation m…
Preferences in Information Processing, Marginalized Identity, and Non-Monogamy
Suicide-related behavior (SRB) is a mental health disparity experienced by the alternative sexuality community. We assessed mental health, relationship orientation, marginalized identities (i.e., sexual orientation minority, gender minority, racial minority, ethnic minority, and lower education), and preferences in information processing (PIP) as factors differentiating lifetime SRB groups. An online cross-sectional survey study was conducted in …
Alternative sexuality, sexual orientation and mobile technology
The alternative sexuality and sexual orientation minority (SM) communities are at risk for numerous health disparities. However, there is a dearth of research exploring the potential receptivity of these communities to the use of mobile technology to promote health. The present study reports findings from a feasibility study comprising two aims: (1) describe health enhancement app usage among alternative sexuality community members, as well as va…
Stigma and suicide risk among the LGBTQ population
LGBTQ individuals may be at risk for suicidal behavior due to perceived stigma and psychopathology. However, protective factors, such as community connectedness, may reduce risk. We examined depression and anxiety as mediators of the linkage between perceived stigma and suicidal behavior, and the moderating role of LGBTQ community connectedness. Among our sample of LGBTQ persons (N = 496), psychopathology mediated the association between perceive…
Improving Health-Related Quality of Life and Reducing Suicide in Primary Care
Anticipated Sexual Minority Stress and Mental Health after the 2016 Presidential Election
Sexual minorities are at an increased risk for psychopathology, compared to heterosexual counterparts, in part due to stressors unique to their sexual minority identity. The greater socio-political climate may exacerbate sexual minority stress, and the context of the 2016 United States presidential election infringed upon the rights and well-being of LGBQ individuals. In our sample of sexual minorities (n = 253), we examined the association betwe…
Perceptions of HIV Research Participation Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who Have Sex with Men and Transgender and Nonbinary Adults
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to disproportionately affect gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) and transgender and nonbinary (trans/NB) individuals. This study investigated attitudes toward participation in HIV survey research, guided by Emanuel's framework for ethical clinical research (e.g., risk-benefit ratio, fair participant selection, respect for participants, social value, and collaborative partnership).…
We are just magic”
Current findings may have clinical implications. Using narrative therapy approach, facilitating connectedness to the BSGLM community, and implementing gratitude interventions in therapeutic settings may enhance self-love and positive self-regard among BSGLM. Future research should continue to give voice to the full lived experience of BSGLM. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
Improving Health-Related Quality of Life and Reducing Suicide in Primary Care
Stigma and suicide risk among the LGBTQ population
LGBTQ individuals may be at risk for suicidal behavior due to perceived stigma and psychopathology. However, protective factors, such as community connectedness, may reduce risk. We examined depression and anxiety as mediators of the linkage between perceived stigma and suicidal behavior, and the moderating role of LGBTQ community connectedness. Among our sample of LGBTQ persons (N = 496), psychopathology mediated the association between perceive…
Preferences in Information Processing, Marginalized Identity, and Non-Monogamy
Suicide-related behavior (SRB) is a mental health disparity experienced by the alternative sexuality community. We assessed mental health, relationship orientation, marginalized identities (i.e., sexual orientation minority, gender minority, racial minority, ethnic minority, and lower education), and preferences in information processing (PIP) as factors differentiating lifetime SRB groups. An online cross-sectional survey study was conducted in …
Alternative sexuality, sexual orientation and mobile technology
The alternative sexuality and sexual orientation minority (SM) communities are at risk for numerous health disparities. However, there is a dearth of research exploring the potential receptivity of these communities to the use of mobile technology to promote health. The present study reports findings from a feasibility study comprising two aims: (1) describe health enhancement app usage among alternative sexuality community members, as well as va…
Making the Case for a Preferences in Information Processing Model of Suicide
Introduction: In recent years, practice friendly models of suicidal behavior have emerged in the form of “ideation-to-action” frameworks. These frameworks focus on processes influencing both the formation of suicidal ideation and the translation of that ideation to suicide attempt and death. In this paper, we proffer an emerging model of suicide, Preferences in Information Processing (PIP), to augment contemporary suicide theories. First, we prov…
A psychometric assessment of a network social capital scale among sexual minority men and gender minority individuals
This study extended the psychometric properties of a preliminary social capital instrument modified from a prior study in a different population and context. The modified measure has implications for use among sexual minority men and gender minority individuals to measure social capital within social networks. Previous studies suggest that interventions to enhance social capital among sexual minority men and gender minority individuals may be ben…
Perceptions of HIV Research Participation Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men who Have Sex with Men and Transgender and Nonbinary Adults
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to disproportionately affect gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) and transgender and nonbinary (trans/NB) individuals. This study investigated attitudes toward participation in HIV survey research, guided by Emanuel's framework for ethical clinical research (e.g., risk-benefit ratio, fair participant selection, respect for participants, social value, and collaborative partnership).…
Sexual violence victimization and suicide
Sexual violence victimization is a prevalent public health concern. However, little research has investigated the factors linking sexual violence victimization to suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs). The current study tested the applicability of the psychological mediation framework, a coping‐mental health model, for the prevention of STBs among victims of sexual youviolence. Furthermore, the current study explored whether sexual orientation m…
Covid-19 Exposure, Stress, and Mental Health Outcomes
This study focuses on identifying COVID-19 related exposure, stress, and mental health concerns in the larger Charlotte, North Carolina region, an area with many low-income and under resourced communities. A community-academic partnership conducted a regional COVID-19 needs assessment. Low-income adults ( N = 156) completed an online-administered survey of demographic information, COVID-19 exposure, stress, coping-related factors, and mental heal…
An Epidemiologic Analysis of Associations between County-Level Per Capita Income, Unemployment Rate, and Covid-19 Vaccination Rates in the United States
The purpose of this longitudinal study was to examine associations between per capita income, unemployment rates, and COVID-19 vaccination rates at the county-level across the United States (U.S.), as well as to identify the interaction effects between county-level per capita income, unemployment rates, and racial/ethnic composition on COVID-19 vaccination rates. All counties in the U.S. that reported COVID-19 vaccination rates from January 2021 …
We are just magic”
Current findings may have clinical implications. Using narrative therapy approach, facilitating connectedness to the BSGLM community, and implementing gratitude interventions in therapeutic settings may enhance self-love and positive self-regard among BSGLM. Future research should continue to give voice to the full lived experience of BSGLM. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)
A pilot evaluation of sexual and gender minority identity measures in a treatment-engaged military veteran sample
Sexual and gender minority (SGM) military veterans have endured a history of discriminatory policies and hetero- and cis-sexist-related military culture that can negatively impact identity and mental health. The present pilot evaluation examined measure characteristics of the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS) and lesbian, gay, and bisexual positive identity measure (LGB-PIM) in a clinical sample of SGM military veterans in order t…
Assessing attitudes about hate
Gender, sexual orientation, and mental health in the kink community
A growing literature on kink practitioners reveals a complex picture of elevated risk of suicidal behaviors co-occurring with reduced reports of negative mental health outcomes. A key to understanding this conflicting pattern may be through identifying specific risk and protective mechanisms among distinct subgroups of kink practitioners. Comparisons in the health of kink practitioners based on gender and sexual orientation are currently lacking …
Anticipated Sexual Minority Stress and Mental Health after the 2016 Presidential Election
Sexual minorities are at an increased risk for psychopathology, compared to heterosexual counterparts, in part due to stressors unique to their sexual minority identity. The greater socio-political climate may exacerbate sexual minority stress, and the context of the 2016 United States presidential election infringed upon the rights and well-being of LGBQ individuals. In our sample of sexual minorities (n = 253), we examined the association betwe…
Latent profiles and psychosocial correlates of persistent self-injury among incarcerated adults
Self-directed violence (SDV), including both suicide and non-suicidal self-injury, represents a major challenge for carceral systems. Persistent self-injury (PSI) is an understudied SDV subtype, especially within the carceral context. The present study addressed three research questions: (a) do naturally occurring SDV subgroups occur within a carceral population (e.g., PSI versus other classes); (b) how SDV groups may be differentiated by verbal …
A grounded theory of sexual and gender minority suicide risk
Social-Ecological Correlates of Social Well-Being in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults in the USA
Introduction Emerging transgender and gender diverse (TGD) health models focus on social well-being. The present study contributes to this movement through investigation of hate crime statutes, state-level political and anti-TGD attitudes, and multiple marginalized identities as correlates of social well-being (i.e., outness, community connection, and workplace and familial support). Methods The current study merged data from three sources: (a) t…
The impact of RuPaul’s Drag Race on cisgender, heterosexual individuals’ understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences
Hate crime law associations with mental health and discrimination experiences among transgender and gender diverse adults
State‐level hate crime laws are a proposed solution for pernicious effects endured by transgender and gender diverse (e.g., no‐binary, queer) (TGD) communities. The present study investigated the following correlates of psychological distress, suicidal behavior, and discrimination experiences among TGD adults: State‐level hate crime law statutes (e.g., gender identity protection), state‐level attitudes (e.g., conservative ideology), and individua…
The link between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ college students’ experiences of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer+ discrimination and psychological symptoms in the context …
Healthcare discrimination and treatment adherence among sexual and gender minority individuals living with chronic illness
Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals are at increased risk for an array of chronic illness due to minority stress. Up to 70% of SGM individuals report healthcare discrimination, which may cause additional challenges for SGM people living with chronic illness including avoiding necessary healthcare. The extant literature highlights how healthcare discrimination is associated with depressive symptoms and treatment nonadherence. …
I wanted to be proud of myself, not ashamed”
Inflection points are pivotal moments immediately preceding self-directed violence (SDV; i.e., self-injury and suicide). This study qualitatively examined factors that contributed to halting SDV during inflection points. Participants ( N = 166) completing an online survey were community-dwelling adults in the United Kingdom with some form of SDV lived experience. Thematic analysis yielded the following results. The most common themes across SDV i…
Psychology (21 works) · Medicine (16 works) · Clinical Psychology (15 works) · Social Psychology (15 works) · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy (13 works) · Psychiatry (13 works) · Sexual orientation (10 works) · Social Psychology (10 works) · Clinical Psychology (9 works) · Sociology (9 works)