M Birkett
Biographic Data
| ID | 44614 |
|---|---|
| NAME | M Birkett |
| GIVEN NAMES | M |
| FAMILY NAME | Birkett |
| SIGNATURE | BIRKETT M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Northwestern University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0960-6327 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 47 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 514 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 47 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 12 |
Recommendations for conducting ethical network research
Ethical considerations in social network studies are grounded in the general principles of human subjects’ research, including avoidance of harm, promotion of justice, equitable distribution of burdens and benefits, respect for human dignity, and protection of confidentiality. To help navigate these challenges, this article presents recommendations for conducting ethical network research, developed by a multi-disciplinary and multi-national worki…
Structural factors shape racial differences in neighbourhood-level HIV risk environments for young men who have sex with men
Despite lower or comparable rates of individual HIV risk behaviours, Black young men who have sex with men in the USA experience disproportionately high rates of HIV. This calls for the exploration of network- and neighbourhood-level determinants of HIV vulnerabilities. Research highlights how Black young men who have sex with men are more likely to reside in low-resource neighbourhoods, to be affiliated with a broader range of neighbourhoods, an…
Understanding social context in HIV and drug use via community-informed computational modeling
Introduction: Racial, ethnic, and sexual and gender minority populations are disproportionately impacted by HIV and other infectious diseases. A rigorous and holistic view of how individual and complex factors interact to produce health disparities among minority populations is urgently necessary. Methods: This project seeks to understand the social and contextual systems around the most marginalized HIV-impacted populations by investigating how …
We Live in Different Chicagos”
Racial disparities in HIV are well-documented and pervasive, particularly impacting Black young men who have sex with men (YMSM), and are not explained by differences in individual risk behaviors. The Network-Individual-Resource (NIR) Model of HIV Transmission and Prevention (Johnson et al. in AIDS Behav 14:S204-S221, 2010) suggests that focusing on the broader network-level environments of YMSM holds strong promise for identifying social-context…
This Isn’t the Place for That”
Introduction The spaces where young men who have sex with men (YMSM) meet sex partners likely play a key role in racial disparities in HIV. Research is needed about racial differences in the online and offline spaces YMSM meet partners and their experiences in these spaces to inform HIV-related public policy. Methods In this explanatory sequential mixed-methods study, we visualized network data from a sample of 413 YMSM (age 16–29) to illustrate …
Estimating Substance Use Homophily in the Sexual Network of a Large Cohort of Young Sexual and Gender Minorities Assigned Male at Birth
Social/Sexual Networks of People Newly Diagnosed with HIV in Ibadan, Nigeria
Reprint of
Network Canvas
Embodied, Situated, and Co-Constructed
The Impact of Closeness to Non-Parental Adults in Social Networks on Substance Use among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men
Non-parental adults (NPAs), or adults in social networks other than parents and romantic/sexual partnersare an under-examined potential resource in the lives of young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Using survey and social network data from a sample (n = 169) of ethnically diverse YMSM in a Midwestern city, this article examines longitudinal associations between emotional closeness to NPAs and subsequent substance use among YMSM. After controll…
A Response to Cimpian and Timmer (2020)
Utilization and avoidance of sexual health services and providers by YMSM and transgender youth assigned male at birth in Chicago
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and transgender youth assigned male at birth (AMAB) bear a disproportionate burden of the HIV epidemic, yet are sub optimally engaged by sexual health service providers and HIV prevention services. To increase sexual health and HIV prevention behaviors and address disparities in HIV incidence and outcomes among YMSM and AMAB transgender youth, it is critical to understand patterns of service utilization and …
Sexual Identity and Behavior Among U.S. High School Students, 2005–2015
Assessing the stability of egocentric networks over time using the digital participant-aided sociogram tool Network Canvas
This paper examines the stability of egocentric networks as reported over time using a novel touchscreen-based participant-aided sociogram. Past work has noted the instability of nominated network alters, with a large proportion leaving and reappearing between interview observations. To explain this instability of networks over time, researchers often look to structural embeddedness, namely the notion that alters are connected to other alters wit…
Everybody Puts Their Whole Life on Facebook”
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth and young adults almost inevitably "come out", or self-disclose their identity to others. Some LGBTQ youth are more uniformly "out", while others may disclose to some groups but not others. This selective disclosure is complicated on real name social media sites, which tend to encourage a unified presentation of self across social contexts. We explore these complications with a cohort o…
An Investigation of Racial and Ethnic Homophily on Grindr Among an Ongoing Cohort Study of YMSM
Intersectional Identities and HIV
Multiple minority stress and LGBT community resilience among sexual minority men
Minority stress theory has widespread research support in explaining health disparities experienced by sexual and gender minorities. However, less is known about how minority stress impacts multiply marginalized groups, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color (LGBT POC). Also, although research has documented resilience in the face of minority stress at the individual level, research is needed that examines macro-level pro…
Bias From Potentially Mischievous Responders on Large-Scale Estimates of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Questioning (LGBQ)–Heterosexual Youth Health Disparities
Objectives. To determine how sensitive estimates of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ)–heterosexual youth health disparities are to the presence of potentially mischievous responders. Methods. We used US data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, pooled across jurisdictions that included a question about sexual identity for a total sample of 148 960 students. We used boosted regressions (a machine-learning technique) to identify un…
Sexual Partner Typologies and the Association Between Drug Use and Sexual Risk Behavior Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men
Validation of tie corroboration and reported alter characteristics among a sample of young men who have sex with men
Homophobic Bullying
Families Matter
Does It Get Better? A Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Distress and Victimization in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth
LGB and Questioning Students in Schools
Multiple minority stress and LGBT community resilience among sexual minority men
Minority stress theory has widespread research support in explaining health disparities experienced by sexual and gender minorities. However, less is known about how minority stress impacts multiply marginalized groups, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people of color (LGBT POC). Also, although research has documented resilience in the face of minority stress at the individual level, research is needed that examines macro-level pro…
Homophobic Name‐calling, Peer‐groups, and Masculinity
Social network analysis and multilevel modeling were used to examine the formation of homophobic name‐calling behavior in adolescents. Specifically, peer group contextual and socialization effects on homophobic name‐calling as well as the influence of masculinity attitudes, general bullying perpetration, and victimization were tested. Participants included 493 fifth‐ through eighth‐grade students from two middle schools. Results indicated that pe…
Mental Health and Suicidality Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sexual Minority Youths
Objectives. We examined the relationships among sexual minority status, sex, and mental health and suicidality, in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of adolescents. Methods. Using pooled data from 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys within 14 jurisdictions, we used hierarchical linear modeling to examine 6 mental health outcomes across 6 racial/ethnic groups, intersecting with sexual minority status and sex. Based on an omnibus measure o…
Identifying Sexual Orientation Health Disparities in Adolescents
We studied sexual orientation disparities in health outcomes among US adolescents by pooling multiple Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data sets from 2005 and 2007 for 14 jurisdictions. Here we describe the methodology for pooling and analyzing these data sets. Sexual orientation–related items assessed sexual orientation identity, gender of sexual contacts, sexual attractions, and harassment regarding sexual orientation. Wording of items varied …
Protective School Climates and Reduced Risk for Suicide Ideation in Sexual Minority Youths
Objectives. We examined whether sexual minority students living in states and cities with more protective school climates were at lower risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Methods. Data on sexual orientation and past-year suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were from the pooled 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Surveys from 8 states and cities. We derived data on school climates that protected sexual minority students …
Assessing the stability of egocentric networks over time using the digital participant-aided sociogram tool Network Canvas
This paper examines the stability of egocentric networks as reported over time using a novel touchscreen-based participant-aided sociogram. Past work has noted the instability of nominated network alters, with a large proportion leaving and reappearing between interview observations. To explain this instability of networks over time, researchers often look to structural embeddedness, namely the notion that alters are connected to other alters wit…
Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obesity at the Intersections of Gender, Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation in US High School Students
Objectives. We examined purging for weight control, diet pill use, and obesity across sexual orientation identity and ethnicity groups. Methods. Anonymous survey data were analyzed from 24 591 high school students of diverse ethnicities in the federal Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System Survey in 2005 and 2007. Self-reported data were gathered on gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation identity, height, weight, and purging and diet pill use i…
The Association Between Sexual Orientation Identity and Behavior Across Race/Ethnicity, Sex, and Age in a Probability Sample of High School Students
Objectives. We examined the prevalence and associations between behavioral and identity dimensions of sexual orientation among adolescents in the United States, with consideration of differences associated with race/ethnicity, sex, and age. Methods. We used pooled data from 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys to estimate prevalence of sexual orientation variables within demographic sub-groups. We used multilevel logistic regression models t…
Exploring Alcohol-Use Behaviors Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Adolescents
Objectives. We examined sexual orientation status differences in alcohol use among youths aged 13 to 18 years or older, and whether differences were moderated by sex, age, or race/ethnicity. Methods. We pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and conducted weighted analyses, adjusting for complex design effects. We operationalized sexual orientation status with items assessing sexual orientation identity, sexual behavior, s…
Indicators of Victimization and Sexual Orientation Among Adolescents
Objectives. We used nuanced measures of sexual minority status to examine disparities in victimization and their variations by gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Methods. We conducted multivariate analyses of pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Results. Although all sexual minorities reported more fighting, skipping school because they felt unsafe, and having property stolen or damaged at school than did heterosexuals, r…
Sexual-Orientation Disparities in School
Objectives. We examined sexual-orientation identity disparities in truancy and academic achievement, and the mediational role of victimization in a large high-school sample. Methods. We utilized pooled data, measuring sexual identity, from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System Surveys. Multilevel logistic regression modeling estimated the odds of low grades and truancy because of feeling unsafe comparing lesbian/gay, bisexua…
Bias From Potentially Mischievous Responders on Large-Scale Estimates of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Questioning (LGBQ)–Heterosexual Youth Health Disparities
Objectives. To determine how sensitive estimates of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or questioning (LGBQ)–heterosexual youth health disparities are to the presence of potentially mischievous responders. Methods. We used US data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, pooled across jurisdictions that included a question about sexual identity for a total sample of 148 960 students. We used boosted regressions (a machine-learning technique) to identify un…
Mediation by Peer Violence Victimization of Sexual Orientation Disparities in Cancer-Related Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sexual Risk Behaviors
Objectives. We examined the role of adolescent peer violence victimization (PVV) in sexual orientation disparities in cancer-related tobacco, alcohol, and sexual risk behaviors. Methods. We pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. We classified youths with any same-sex sexual attraction, partners, or identity as sexual minority and the remainder as heterosexual. We had 4 indicators of tobacco and alcohol use and 4 of sexual…
Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Racial Differences in Illicit Drug Use in a Sample of US High School Students
Objectives. We evaluated drug use differences between sexual minority and heterosexual students, including interactions with gender and race/ethnicity. Methods. We used 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data pooled from Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Delaware; Maine; Massachusetts; New York City, New York; Rhode Island; and Vermont to evaluate drug use (marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamine, and MDMA [Ecstasy]) …
Sexual Orientation Disparities in Adolescent Cigarette Smoking
Objectives. We examined sexual orientation differences in adolescent smoking and intersections with race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Methods. We pooled Youth Risk Behavior Survey data collected in 2005 and 2007 from 14 jurisdictions; the analytic sample comprised observations from 13 of those jurisdictions (n = 64 397). We compared smoking behaviors of sexual minorities and heterosexuals on 2 dimensions of sexual orientation: identity (heterosexu…
Embodied, Situated, and Co-Constructed
Sexual Identity and Behavior Among U.S. High School Students, 2005–2015
The negative effects of prejudice on interpersonal relationships within adolescent peer groups
Social development theories highlight the centrality of peer groups during adolescence and their role in socializing attitudes and behaviors. In this longitudinal study, we tested the effects of group-level prejudice on ensuing positive and negative interpersonal interactions among peers over a 7-month period. We used social network analysis to identify peer groups based on sociometric nominations, followed by multilevel modeling of the effects o…
Envisioning an America Without Sexual Orientation Inequities in Adolescent Health
This article explicates a vision for social change throughout multiple levels of society necessary to eliminate sexual orientation health disparities in youths. We utilized the framework of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory of development, a multisystemic model of development that considers direct and indirect influences of multiple levels of the environment. Within this multisystem model we discuss societal and political influences, educational…
Non-parental adults in the social and risk behavior networks of sexual minority male youth
The Sexual Networks of Racially Diverse Young Men Who Have Sex with Men
Neighborhood-Level Associations with HIV Infection Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chicago
Reprint of
The Impact of Closeness to Non-Parental Adults in Social Networks on Substance Use among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men
Non-parental adults (NPAs), or adults in social networks other than parents and romantic/sexual partnersare an under-examined potential resource in the lives of young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Using survey and social network data from a sample (n = 169) of ethnically diverse YMSM in a Midwestern city, this article examines longitudinal associations between emotional closeness to NPAs and subsequent substance use among YMSM. After controll…
Homophobic Teasing, Psychological Outcomes, and Sexual Orientation Among High School Students
Homophobic teasing is often long-term, systematic, and perpetrated by groups of students (Rivers, 2001); it places targets at risk for greater suicidal ideation, depression, and isolation (Elliot & Kilpatrick, 1994). This study fills a gap in the literature by examining buffering influences of positive parental relations and positive school climate on mental health outcomes for high school students who are questioning their sexual orientation. Pa…
LGB and Questioning Students in Schools
Perceived Likelihood of Using HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Medications Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men
Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obesity at the Intersections of Gender, Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation in US High School Students
Objectives. We examined purging for weight control, diet pill use, and obesity across sexual orientation identity and ethnicity groups. Methods. Anonymous survey data were analyzed from 24 591 high school students of diverse ethnicities in the federal Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System Survey in 2005 and 2007. Self-reported data were gathered on gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation identity, height, weight, and purging and diet pill use i…
The Role of Geographic and Network Factors in Racial Disparities in HIV Among Young Men Who have Sex with Men
Homophobic Name‐calling, Peer‐groups, and Masculinity
Social network analysis and multilevel modeling were used to examine the formation of homophobic name‐calling behavior in adolescents. Specifically, peer group contextual and socialization effects on homophobic name‐calling as well as the influence of masculinity attitudes, general bullying perpetration, and victimization were tested. Participants included 493 fifth‐ through eighth‐grade students from two middle schools. Results indicated that pe…
Sexual-Orientation Disparities in School
Objectives. We examined sexual-orientation identity disparities in truancy and academic achievement, and the mediational role of victimization in a large high-school sample. Methods. We utilized pooled data, measuring sexual identity, from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System Surveys. Multilevel logistic regression modeling estimated the odds of low grades and truancy because of feeling unsafe comparing lesbian/gay, bisexua…
Mediation by Peer Violence Victimization of Sexual Orientation Disparities in Cancer-Related Tobacco, Alcohol, and Sexual Risk Behaviors
Objectives. We examined the role of adolescent peer violence victimization (PVV) in sexual orientation disparities in cancer-related tobacco, alcohol, and sexual risk behaviors. Methods. We pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. We classified youths with any same-sex sexual attraction, partners, or identity as sexual minority and the remainder as heterosexual. We had 4 indicators of tobacco and alcohol use and 4 of sexual…
Indicators of Victimization and Sexual Orientation Among Adolescents
Objectives. We used nuanced measures of sexual minority status to examine disparities in victimization and their variations by gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Methods. We conducted multivariate analyses of pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. Results. Although all sexual minorities reported more fighting, skipping school because they felt unsafe, and having property stolen or damaged at school than did heterosexuals, r…
Sexual Orientation Disparities in Adolescent Cigarette Smoking
Objectives. We examined sexual orientation differences in adolescent smoking and intersections with race/ethnicity, gender, and age. Methods. We pooled Youth Risk Behavior Survey data collected in 2005 and 2007 from 14 jurisdictions; the analytic sample comprised observations from 13 of those jurisdictions (n = 64 397). We compared smoking behaviors of sexual minorities and heterosexuals on 2 dimensions of sexual orientation: identity (heterosexu…
Mental Health and Suicidality Among Racially/Ethnically Diverse Sexual Minority Youths
Objectives. We examined the relationships among sexual minority status, sex, and mental health and suicidality, in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of adolescents. Methods. Using pooled data from 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys within 14 jurisdictions, we used hierarchical linear modeling to examine 6 mental health outcomes across 6 racial/ethnic groups, intersecting with sexual minority status and sex. Based on an omnibus measure o…
Sexual Orientation, Gender, and Racial Differences in Illicit Drug Use in a Sample of US High School Students
Objectives. We evaluated drug use differences between sexual minority and heterosexual students, including interactions with gender and race/ethnicity. Methods. We used 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data pooled from Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Delaware; Maine; Massachusetts; New York City, New York; Rhode Island; and Vermont to evaluate drug use (marijuana, cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamine, and MDMA [Ecstasy]) …
The Association Between Sexual Orientation Identity and Behavior Across Race/Ethnicity, Sex, and Age in a Probability Sample of High School Students
Objectives. We examined the prevalence and associations between behavioral and identity dimensions of sexual orientation among adolescents in the United States, with consideration of differences associated with race/ethnicity, sex, and age. Methods. We used pooled data from 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys to estimate prevalence of sexual orientation variables within demographic sub-groups. We used multilevel logistic regression models t…
Identifying Sexual Orientation Health Disparities in Adolescents
We studied sexual orientation disparities in health outcomes among US adolescents by pooling multiple Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data sets from 2005 and 2007 for 14 jurisdictions. Here we describe the methodology for pooling and analyzing these data sets. Sexual orientation–related items assessed sexual orientation identity, gender of sexual contacts, sexual attractions, and harassment regarding sexual orientation. Wording of items varied …
Exploring Alcohol-Use Behaviors Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Adolescents
Objectives. We examined sexual orientation status differences in alcohol use among youths aged 13 to 18 years or older, and whether differences were moderated by sex, age, or race/ethnicity. Methods. We pooled data from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and conducted weighted analyses, adjusting for complex design effects. We operationalized sexual orientation status with items assessing sexual orientation identity, sexual behavior, s…
Envisioning an America Without Sexual Orientation Inequities in Adolescent Health
This article explicates a vision for social change throughout multiple levels of society necessary to eliminate sexual orientation health disparities in youths. We utilized the framework of Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory of development, a multisystemic model of development that considers direct and indirect influences of multiple levels of the environment. Within this multisystem model we discuss societal and political influences, educational…
Protective School Climates and Reduced Risk for Suicide Ideation in Sexual Minority Youths
Objectives. We examined whether sexual minority students living in states and cities with more protective school climates were at lower risk of suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. Methods. Data on sexual orientation and past-year suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts were from the pooled 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Surveys from 8 states and cities. We derived data on school climates that protected sexual minority students …
Does It Get Better? A Longitudinal Analysis of Psychological Distress and Victimization in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth
Typologies of Social Support and Associations with Mental Health Outcomes Among LGBT Youth
Non-parental adults in the social and risk behavior networks of sexual minority male youth
The negative effects of prejudice on interpersonal relationships within adolescent peer groups
Social development theories highlight the centrality of peer groups during adolescence and their role in socializing attitudes and behaviors. In this longitudinal study, we tested the effects of group-level prejudice on ensuing positive and negative interpersonal interactions among peers over a 7-month period. We used social network analysis to identify peer groups based on sociometric nominations, followed by multilevel modeling of the effects o…
The Sexual Networks of Racially Diverse Young Men Who Have Sex with Men
Neighborhood-Level Associations with HIV Infection Among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men in Chicago
Homophobic Bullying
Families Matter
Psychology (41 works) · Medicine (32 works) · Social Psychology (30 works) · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy (28 works) · Demography (21 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (21 works) · Sexual orientation (20 works) · Clinical Psychology (19 works) · Developmental psychology (19 works) · Sociology (19 works)