Lara M Stepleman
Biographic Data
| ID | 1263144 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Lara M Stepleman |
| GIVEN NAMES | Lara M |
| FAMILY NAME | Stepleman |
| SIGNATURE | STEPLEMAN L M |
| AFFILIATIONS | Augusta University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-3371-7089 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 16 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2005 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2024 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Risk factors of homelessness among sexual and gender minorities in the Southeastern U.S
Homelessness disproportionately impacts sexual and gender minority (SGM) people, however, few studies have examined factors that predict homelessness among SGM adults. The present secondary analysis of a survey of SGM adults living in the Southeastern U.S. in 2016 (N = 427) assessed factors associated with report of past or current homelessness, which was endorsed by 17% of participants. Congruent with our hypotheses, past socioeconomic status (S…
The impact of transgender minority stress and emotion regulation on suicidality and self-harm
Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals experience high levels of minority stress, as well as a high prevalence of suicidality and self-harm. The current study investigates if emotion regulation mediates the relationships of minority stressors with self-harm and suicidality. TGD adult primary care patients (N = 115) completed a survey including measures of minority stressors, emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidality. Emotion reg…
Loneliness in Sexual Minority Individuals in the Southeastern United States: The Role of Minority Stress and Resilience
Health disparities in the sexual minority population may be exacerbated by the loneliness experienced due to minority stress. Using a minority stress framework, this study examined minority stress, protective variables, and mental health as correlates of loneliness in sexual minority individuals in a small metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. Participants (n = 273) were a subsample of sexual minority individuals from a broader sam…
Differences in Health Care Access, Utilization, and Experiences Among LGBTQ+ Subgroups in the Southern United States
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) individuals experience health inequities and barriers to accessing appropriate, affirming care. Little is known about differing health care experiences within the LGBTQ+ population, particularly among individuals living in underserved areas. This study explored health care experiences and utilization among LGBTQ+ subgroups: lesbian and gay cisgender individu…
Validation of the Brief Sense of Community Scale in a lesbian, gay, and bisexual sample
Sense of community can buffer against negative mental health outcomes in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Valid measurement of this construct can better inform research, assessment, and intervention designed to promote well‐being in this population. The present study aims to evaluate the validity of the Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) among sexual minority individuals. The scale was administered to 219 LGB participants within a…
Predictors and Moderators of Sexually Related Distress in Women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
The degree of general distress reported by women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) varies greatly, which might relate to their level of anxiety or depression. A variety of medical problems also has been associated with PGAD symptoms. The current study sought to determine the most significant predictor of sexually related distress and examine possible moderators. Participants were 51 women who met the criteria for PGAD and completed …
Associations of physical and sexual violence victimisation, homelessness, and perceptions of safety with suicidality in a community sample of transgender individuals
Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals experience hardship and mistreatment. These experiences may contribute to mental health disparities faced by this community, including suicidality. The present study examined the associations between physical- and sexual-violence victimisation, homelessness, perception of safety, and suicidality among TGNC participants (N= 70) in an LGBTQ health needs assessment of the Central Savannah River…
Health Needs and Experiences of a LGBT Population in Georgia and South Carolina
The 2016 Municipal Equality Index rated Augusta, the largest city in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), as one of the least lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) friendly cities in America. To understand the context of our region in relation to LGBT wellness, we conducted the first LGBT health needs assessment of the CSRA, assessing physical and mental health status and health care needs and experiences in the community. Participant…
Predictors of anxiety among sexual minority individuals in the Southern US
249) from the Central Savannah River Area completed a survey assessing minority stress (i.e., identity-based discrimination, internalized homophobia), identity (i.e., outness comfort, community connectedness) and history of anxiety as part of a larger lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer community health needs assessment. All minority stress variables were significantly, positively associated with an anxiety history whereas community connec…
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clinical Competence, Professional Training, and Ethical Care: Introduction to the Special Issue
There are exigent reasons to foster lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) competence, training, and ethical care for health professionals within an interdisciplinary paradigm. LGBT individuals experience serious health and psychosocial disparities; moreover, these inequalities can be amplified when other aspects of diversity such as race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability, and socioeconomic status intersect with sexual orienta…
The relationship between cognitive fusion, stigma, and well-being in people with multiple sclerosis
Variables associated with patient activation in persons with multiple sclerosis
Identifying variables associated with patient activation in the multiple sclerosis population could serve to facilitate better multiple sclerosis self-management behaviors. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 199 participants were recruited from a multiple sclerosis center in the Southeastern United States. Depression, multiple sclerosis quality of life, and multiple Sclerosis self-efficacy were all significantly correlated with patient activa…
Measuring psychological flexibility in medical students and residents: A psychometric analysis
Our findings provide preliminary evidence supporting validity of the psychological flexibility construct in a medical education sample. As psychological flexibility is a central concept underlying self-awareness, this work may have important implications for clinical training and practice
Improving access to mental health services via a clinic-wide mental health intervention in a Southeastern US infectious disease clinic
Stepleman, Hann, Santos, and House (2006) described a brief psychological consultation model, which aims to improve integration of mental health services into HIV primary care. This retrospective chart review sought to examine which patients in our adult Infectious Disease clinic were served by this model in a one-year period. Furthermore, we examined whether the patients who subsequently engage in mental health care differ demographically from t…
Intimate partner violence and its effects on the health of African American HIV-positive women
The medical outcomes of women infected with HIV are typically worse than those of HIV-positive men. HIV-positive women report high rates of intimate partner violence, and there is evidence that traumatic events have a negative impact on health status. In addition, African American women make up 1 of the fastest growing groups of HIV-positive individuals. Therefore, this study sought to examine the impact of intimate partner violence on HIV medica…
Helping and Coping Attributions: Development of the Attribution of Problem Cause and Solution Scale
A measure of Brickman, Rabinowitz, Karuza, Cohn, and Kidder’s structure of helping and coping orientations was developed, and its relation to a variety of counseling variables was investigated. A sample of 202 college students completed the Attribution of Problem Cause and Solution Scale (APCSS), an additional measure of attribution, and measures of coping and self-efficacy. The findings indicate that scores obtained using the APCSS have sound re…
Health Needs and Experiences of a LGBT Population in Georgia and South Carolina
The 2016 Municipal Equality Index rated Augusta, the largest city in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), as one of the least lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) friendly cities in America. To understand the context of our region in relation to LGBT wellness, we conducted the first LGBT health needs assessment of the CSRA, assessing physical and mental health status and health care needs and experiences in the community. Participant…
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clinical Competence, Professional Training, and Ethical Care: Introduction to the Special Issue
There are exigent reasons to foster lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) competence, training, and ethical care for health professionals within an interdisciplinary paradigm. LGBT individuals experience serious health and psychosocial disparities; moreover, these inequalities can be amplified when other aspects of diversity such as race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability, and socioeconomic status intersect with sexual orienta…
Loneliness in Sexual Minority Individuals in the Southeastern United States: The Role of Minority Stress and Resilience
Health disparities in the sexual minority population may be exacerbated by the loneliness experienced due to minority stress. Using a minority stress framework, this study examined minority stress, protective variables, and mental health as correlates of loneliness in sexual minority individuals in a small metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. Participants (n = 273) were a subsample of sexual minority individuals from a broader sam…
Associations of physical and sexual violence victimisation, homelessness, and perceptions of safety with suicidality in a community sample of transgender individuals
Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals experience hardship and mistreatment. These experiences may contribute to mental health disparities faced by this community, including suicidality. The present study examined the associations between physical- and sexual-violence victimisation, homelessness, perception of safety, and suicidality among TGNC participants (N= 70) in an LGBTQ health needs assessment of the Central Savannah River…
Variables associated with patient activation in persons with multiple sclerosis
Identifying variables associated with patient activation in the multiple sclerosis population could serve to facilitate better multiple sclerosis self-management behaviors. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 199 participants were recruited from a multiple sclerosis center in the Southeastern United States. Depression, multiple sclerosis quality of life, and multiple Sclerosis self-efficacy were all significantly correlated with patient activa…
Helping and Coping Attributions: Development of the Attribution of Problem Cause and Solution Scale
A measure of Brickman, Rabinowitz, Karuza, Cohn, and Kidder’s structure of helping and coping orientations was developed, and its relation to a variety of counseling variables was investigated. A sample of 202 college students completed the Attribution of Problem Cause and Solution Scale (APCSS), an additional measure of attribution, and measures of coping and self-efficacy. The findings indicate that scores obtained using the APCSS have sound re…
Improving access to mental health services via a clinic-wide mental health intervention in a Southeastern US infectious disease clinic
Stepleman, Hann, Santos, and House (2006) described a brief psychological consultation model, which aims to improve integration of mental health services into HIV primary care. This retrospective chart review sought to examine which patients in our adult Infectious Disease clinic were served by this model in a one-year period. Furthermore, we examined whether the patients who subsequently engage in mental health care differ demographically from t…
Intimate partner violence and its effects on the health of African American HIV-positive women
The medical outcomes of women infected with HIV are typically worse than those of HIV-positive men. HIV-positive women report high rates of intimate partner violence, and there is evidence that traumatic events have a negative impact on health status. In addition, African American women make up 1 of the fastest growing groups of HIV-positive individuals. Therefore, this study sought to examine the impact of intimate partner violence on HIV medica…
Measuring psychological flexibility in medical students and residents: A psychometric analysis
Our findings provide preliminary evidence supporting validity of the psychological flexibility construct in a medical education sample. As psychological flexibility is a central concept underlying self-awareness, this work may have important implications for clinical training and practice
The relationship between cognitive fusion, stigma, and well-being in people with multiple sclerosis
Variables associated with patient activation in persons with multiple sclerosis
Identifying variables associated with patient activation in the multiple sclerosis population could serve to facilitate better multiple sclerosis self-management behaviors. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 199 participants were recruited from a multiple sclerosis center in the Southeastern United States. Depression, multiple sclerosis quality of life, and multiple Sclerosis self-efficacy were all significantly correlated with patient activa…
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Clinical Competence, Professional Training, and Ethical Care: Introduction to the Special Issue
There are exigent reasons to foster lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) competence, training, and ethical care for health professionals within an interdisciplinary paradigm. LGBT individuals experience serious health and psychosocial disparities; moreover, these inequalities can be amplified when other aspects of diversity such as race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, disability, and socioeconomic status intersect with sexual orienta…
Predictors of anxiety among sexual minority individuals in the Southern US
249) from the Central Savannah River Area completed a survey assessing minority stress (i.e., identity-based discrimination, internalized homophobia), identity (i.e., outness comfort, community connectedness) and history of anxiety as part of a larger lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer community health needs assessment. All minority stress variables were significantly, positively associated with an anxiety history whereas community connec…
Predictors and Moderators of Sexually Related Distress in Women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder
The degree of general distress reported by women with Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) varies greatly, which might relate to their level of anxiety or depression. A variety of medical problems also has been associated with PGAD symptoms. The current study sought to determine the most significant predictor of sexually related distress and examine possible moderators. Participants were 51 women who met the criteria for PGAD and completed …
Associations of physical and sexual violence victimisation, homelessness, and perceptions of safety with suicidality in a community sample of transgender individuals
Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals experience hardship and mistreatment. These experiences may contribute to mental health disparities faced by this community, including suicidality. The present study examined the associations between physical- and sexual-violence victimisation, homelessness, perception of safety, and suicidality among TGNC participants (N= 70) in an LGBTQ health needs assessment of the Central Savannah River…
Health Needs and Experiences of a LGBT Population in Georgia and South Carolina
The 2016 Municipal Equality Index rated Augusta, the largest city in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), as one of the least lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) friendly cities in America. To understand the context of our region in relation to LGBT wellness, we conducted the first LGBT health needs assessment of the CSRA, assessing physical and mental health status and health care needs and experiences in the community. Participant…
Differences in Health Care Access, Utilization, and Experiences Among LGBTQ+ Subgroups in the Southern United States
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) individuals experience health inequities and barriers to accessing appropriate, affirming care. Little is known about differing health care experiences within the LGBTQ+ population, particularly among individuals living in underserved areas. This study explored health care experiences and utilization among LGBTQ+ subgroups: lesbian and gay cisgender individu…
Validation of the Brief Sense of Community Scale in a lesbian, gay, and bisexual sample
Sense of community can buffer against negative mental health outcomes in lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Valid measurement of this construct can better inform research, assessment, and intervention designed to promote well‐being in this population. The present study aims to evaluate the validity of the Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) among sexual minority individuals. The scale was administered to 219 LGB participants within a…
The impact of transgender minority stress and emotion regulation on suicidality and self-harm
Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals experience high levels of minority stress, as well as a high prevalence of suicidality and self-harm. The current study investigates if emotion regulation mediates the relationships of minority stressors with self-harm and suicidality. TGD adult primary care patients (N = 115) completed a survey including measures of minority stressors, emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidality. Emotion reg…
Loneliness in Sexual Minority Individuals in the Southeastern United States: The Role of Minority Stress and Resilience
Health disparities in the sexual minority population may be exacerbated by the loneliness experienced due to minority stress. Using a minority stress framework, this study examined minority stress, protective variables, and mental health as correlates of loneliness in sexual minority individuals in a small metropolitan area in the southeastern United States. Participants (n = 273) were a subsample of sexual minority individuals from a broader sam…
Risk factors of homelessness among sexual and gender minorities in the Southeastern U.S
Homelessness disproportionately impacts sexual and gender minority (SGM) people, however, few studies have examined factors that predict homelessness among SGM adults. The present secondary analysis of a survey of SGM adults living in the Southeastern U.S. in 2016 (N = 427) assessed factors associated with report of past or current homelessness, which was endorsed by 17% of participants. Congruent with our hypotheses, past socioeconomic status (S…
Psychology (15 works) · Medicine (13 works) · Social Psychology (11 works) · Psychiatry (10 works) · Clinical Psychology (9 works) · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy (8 works) · Sexual orientation (8 works) · Mental health (7 works) · Population (7 works) · Sexual minority (7 works)