Arjee Restar
Biographic Data
| ID | 172841 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Arjee Restar |
| GIVEN NAMES | Arjee |
| FAMILY NAME | Restar |
| SIGNATURE | RESTAR A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Brown University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2992-8198 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 37 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 41 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 37 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
The Asian/American LGBTQ+ Migration and Health Equity (AQMHE) Framework
Strategies and Considerations for Forming and Managing Community Advisory Boards from Health Research with Transgender and Nonbinary Communities
Purpose: There is limited research on the use of community advisory boards (CABs) in health research with transgender and nonbinary communities. Transgender communities are navigating challenging histories of health researcher exploitation and research distrust alongside exponential research growth. We explored strategies for forming and managing CABs when conducting transgender community-informed health research. Methods: We used purposive and s…
Legal gender recognition and the health of transgender and gender diverse people: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Community Health Workers as Catalysts for Mental Health Promotion in Transgender and Nonbinary Communities
Gender Affirmation Research Is Not Gender Ideology Extremism, It Is Science
Barriers to Gender-Affirming Care, Health Care Services, and Experiences of Health Care Provider Bias Among Transgender People in Nigeria
In the current study, we explored barriers to accessing gender-affirming care among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) people in Nigeria. Between February and September 2021, we conducted focus group discussions with 25 adult TGD individuals residing in Nigeria. We found (1) a lack of trans-competent health care providers, (2) high medical costs, (3) limited access to accurate health information, (4) experiences of transphobia, and (5) a lack o…
First They Came for Us All: Responding to Anti-Transgender Structural Violence With Collective, Community-Engaged, and Intersectional Health Equity Research and Advocacy
This article is a call for collective action across health equity researchers and advocates to build a more just world. We attempt to make sense of senseless structural and interpersonal brutality in the context of the current political climate across the United States, whereby the spectrum of gender nonconformity has been and continues to be stigmatized. From drag performance to transgender identities to gender-affirming health care, extremists …
Mental Health and Victimization Among LGBTQ + Youth: Future Directions for Support in Schools
The impact of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic on the United States (U.S.) education system coupled with the proliferation of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) bills, discrimination and racism has been significant and far-reaching—further exacerbating existing mental health disparities and inequities that marginalized youth experience.1-9 Discrimination and racial bias, intersecting with gender bias, can begin as earl…
The Public Health Crisis State of Transgender Health Care and Policy
Navigating payment and policy barriers to gender-affirming care for transmasculine individuals: A qualitative study and policy assessment
Gender affirming hormone therapy dosing behaviors among transgender and nonbinary adults
Gender-affirming hormones have been shown to improve psychological functioning and quality of life among transgender and nonbinary (trans) people, yet, scant research exists regarding whether and why individuals take more or less hormones than prescribed. Drawing on survey data from 379 trans people who were prescribed hormones, we utilized multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with hormone-dosing behaviors and c…
Experiences of violence and discrimination among LGBTQ+ individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic: A global cross-sectional analysis
OBJECTIVES: To characterise the extent to which the levels of violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people have changed amid COVID-19. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, secondary analysis. SETTING: 79 countries. PARTICIPANTS: All adults (aged ≥18 years) who used the Hornet social networking application and provided consent to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome was whether individuals ha…
Asian, Latinx, or Multiracial? Assessing Filipinxs’ Health Conditions and Outcomes by Aggregate Ethnic Category
Solidarity, support and competition among communities of female and male sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya
Female and male sex workers are at elevated risk for HIV infection, psychological distress and other adverse health outcomes. It is therefore important to understand how sex workers' social relationships with one another might inform psychosocial support services for this population. We conducted semi-structured interviews to examine the formation and nature of social networks of 25 female and 25 male sex workers recruited from bars and clubs in …
Condom Use and Social Capital Among Filipinx Transgender Women and Cisgender Men Who Have Sex with Men (Trans-WSM and Cis-MSM): A Structural Equation Modeling
Prevalence and associations of Covid-19 testing in an online sample of transgender and non-binary individuals
BACKGROUND: Testing for COVID-19 and linkage to services is fundamental to successful containment and control of transmission. Yet, knowledge on COVID-19 testing among transgender and non-binary communities remains limited. METHODS: Between October 2020 and November 2020, we examined the prevalence and associations of COVID-19 testing in an online sample of transgender and non-binary people (n=536). Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression …
Characterising the impact of Covid-19 environment on mental health, gender affirming services and socioeconomic loss in a global sample of transgender and non-binary people: A structural equation mode…
BACKGROUND: We characterised the impact of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic conditions, access to gender affirmation services and mental health outcomes in a sample of global transgender (trans) and non-binary populations. METHODS: Between 16 April 2020 and 3 August 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with a global sample of trans and non-binary people (n=849) through an online social networking app. We conducted structural equational modell…
HIV treatment engagement in the context of Covid-19: An observational global sample of transgender and nonbinary people living with HIV
Our results suggest that currently taking ART, having access to an HIV provider, and being able to access HIV treatment without burden and remotely refill HIV medication are suboptimal among trans and nonbinary people living with HIV across the world. Strengthening support for HIV programs that are well-connected to trans and nonbinary communities, increasing remote access to HIV providers and prescription refills, and providing socioeconomic sup…
HIV Prevention Among Cisgender Men Who have Sex with Transgender Women
From imperialism to inpatient care: Work differences of Filipino and White registered nurses in the United States and implications for Covid‐19 through an intersectional lens
In the United States, nursing is the largest healthcare profession, with over 3.2 million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide and comprised of mostly women. Foreign-trained RNs make up 15 percent of the RN workforce. For over half a century, the U.S. healthcare industry has recruited these RNs in response to nurse shortages in hospitals and nursing homes. Philippines-trained RNs make up 1 out of 20 RNs in this country and continue to be the larges…
Correlates of Geosocial Networking Applications (GSN Apps) Usage among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nigeria, Africa
Using structural equation modelling to characterise multilevel socioecological predictors and mediators of condom use among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men in the Philippines
BACKGROUND: Risks for condomless sex among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM, respectively) in the Philippines, where HIV recently became a national public health crisis, are shaped and exacerbated by various risk factors across multiple levels. METHODS: Between June 2018 and August 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional online study with 318 trans-WSM and cis-MSM respondents from Manila and Cebu citie…
Fatalism in the context of Covid-19: Perceiving coronavirus as a death sentence predicts reluctance to perform recommended preventive behaviors
To manage the spread of coronavirus, health entities have urged the public to take preventive measures such as social distancing and handwashing. Yet, many appear reluctant to take these measures. Research is needed to understand factors underlying such reluctance, with the aim of developing targeted health interventions. We identify associating coronavirus with death as one such factor. 590 participants completed surveys in mid-March 2020, which…
Legal gender marker and name change is associated with lower negative emotional response to gender-based mistreatment and improve mental health outcomes among trans populations
These data provide corroborate recent studies suggesting having pursued legal gender affirmation may be protective. Findings bolster calls to increase structural support for trans individuals, including enactment of state policies easing legal gender affirmation
Evaluating translation of HIV-related legal protections into practice: A qualitative assessment among HIV-positive gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Manila, Philippines
Legal protections for people living with HIV (PLHIV) are important for protecting human rights, yet little research has examined how laws translate into awareness and understanding for key populations. The Philippines has recently revised their legal protections for PLHIV in response to its growing HIV epidemic, where HIV-positive gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men bear the majority of cases. We present findings from interviews wit…
Strength in Numbers: Perceptions of Political Commonality with African Americans among Asians and Asian Americans in the United States
Asians are now the fastest growing racial minority group in the United States. Nearly 18 million Asians and Asian Americans currently reside in the country. Approximately 44 million African Americans also live in the United States. To improve their limited social, economic, and political clout, Asians and Asian Americans in the United States (AAAUS) could benefit from the formation of mutually beneficial political alliances with African Americans…
The Public Health Crisis State of Transgender Health Care and Policy
From imperialism to inpatient care: Work differences of Filipino and White registered nurses in the United States and implications for Covid‐19 through an intersectional lens
In the United States, nursing is the largest healthcare profession, with over 3.2 million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide and comprised of mostly women. Foreign-trained RNs make up 15 percent of the RN workforce. For over half a century, the U.S. healthcare industry has recruited these RNs in response to nurse shortages in hospitals and nursing homes. Philippines-trained RNs make up 1 out of 20 RNs in this country and continue to be the larges…
What Kinds of Workshops do Internet-Based Male Escorts Want? Implications for Prevention and Health Promotion
Correlates of Geosocial Networking Applications (GSN Apps) Usage among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nigeria, Africa
Community Health Workers as Catalysts for Mental Health Promotion in Transgender and Nonbinary Communities
What Kinds of Workshops do Internet-Based Male Escorts Want? Implications for Prevention and Health Promotion
A minority stress—emotion regulation model of sexual compulsivity among highly sexually active gay and bisexual men.
OBJECTIVE: Sexual compulsivity represents a significant public health concern among gay and bisexual men, given its co-occurrence with other mental health problems and HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to examine a model of sexual compulsivity based on minority stress theory and emotion regulation models of mental health among gay and bisexual men. METHOD: Gay and bisexual men in New York City reporting at least nine past-90-day sexual…
Intentional and Unintentional Condom Breakage and Slippage in the Sexual Interactions of Female and Male Sex Workers and Clients in Mombasa, Kenya
Substance Use and Depression Among Recently Migrated African Gay and Bisexual Men Living in the United States
Acceptability of Antiretroviral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis from a Cohort of Sexually Experienced Young Transgender Women in Two U.S. Cities
Burden of HIV among young transgender women: Factors associated with HIV infection and HIV treatment engagement
Young transgender women (YTW) are disproportionately affected by HIV, however, little is known about the factors associated with HIV infection and treatment engagement. We examined correlates of HIV infection and the steps of the HIV treatment cascade, specifically, being aware of their HIV infection, linked to care, on ART, and adherent to ART. We analyzed the baseline data of Project LifeSkills, a randomized control trial of sexually active YTW…
An initial randomized controlled trial of behavioral activation for treatment of concurrent crystal methamphetamine dependence and sexual risk for HIV acquisition among men who have sex with men
Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be the largest risk group for HIV infections in the U.S., where crystal methamphetamine abuse heightens risk for HIV infection through greater engagement in condomless anal sex (CAS). Existing treatments lack attention to replacement activities or the role of depressed mood. Behavioral activation (BA) is an evidence-based approach for depression that involves identifying and participating in pleasurable…
Sword and Shield: Perceptions of law in empowering and protecting HIV-positive men who have sex with men in Manila, Philippines
Legal protections for people living with HIV (PLHIV) are important for protecting human rights and combatting stigma. While much focus has been on the pernicious impacts of criminalisation of HIV transmission or nondisclosure, little research has accounted for the ways in which perception of protective laws may affect the everyday lives of PLHIV. The Philippines has the fastest growing HIV epidemic in the Asia & Pacific region, with HIV-positive …
Barriers and facilitators to uptake of condoms among Filipinx transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men: A situated socio-ecological perspective
Transgender women (TW) and cisgender men who have sex with men (cis-MSM) are disproportionately impacted by the national HIV crisis in the Philippines, where the HIV incidence has, in large part, been attributed to condomless sex. This study sought to qualitatively examine the socio-ecological factors that contribute to low condom uptake among Filipinx TW and cis-MSM communities in Manila. Between July and August 2017, we conducted semi-structure…
I Couldn’t Afford to Resist”: Condom Negotiations Between Male Sex Workers and Male Clients in Mombasa, Kenya
Using structural equation modelling to characterise multilevel socioecological predictors and mediators of condom use among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men in the Philippines
BACKGROUND: Risks for condomless sex among transgender women and cisgender men who have sex with men (trans-WSM and cis-MSM, respectively) in the Philippines, where HIV recently became a national public health crisis, are shaped and exacerbated by various risk factors across multiple levels. METHODS: Between June 2018 and August 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional online study with 318 trans-WSM and cis-MSM respondents from Manila and Cebu citie…
Fatalism in the context of Covid-19: Perceiving coronavirus as a death sentence predicts reluctance to perform recommended preventive behaviors
To manage the spread of coronavirus, health entities have urged the public to take preventive measures such as social distancing and handwashing. Yet, many appear reluctant to take these measures. Research is needed to understand factors underlying such reluctance, with the aim of developing targeted health interventions. We identify associating coronavirus with death as one such factor. 590 participants completed surveys in mid-March 2020, which…
Legal gender marker and name change is associated with lower negative emotional response to gender-based mistreatment and improve mental health outcomes among trans populations
These data provide corroborate recent studies suggesting having pursued legal gender affirmation may be protective. Findings bolster calls to increase structural support for trans individuals, including enactment of state policies easing legal gender affirmation
Evaluating translation of HIV-related legal protections into practice: A qualitative assessment among HIV-positive gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Manila, Philippines
Legal protections for people living with HIV (PLHIV) are important for protecting human rights, yet little research has examined how laws translate into awareness and understanding for key populations. The Philippines has recently revised their legal protections for PLHIV in response to its growing HIV epidemic, where HIV-positive gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men bear the majority of cases. We present findings from interviews wit…
Integrating Pre- and Post-exposure Prophylaxes Programs for HIV Prevention Guidelines in Manila, Philippines
Strength in Numbers: Perceptions of Political Commonality with African Americans among Asians and Asian Americans in the United States
Asians are now the fastest growing racial minority group in the United States. Nearly 18 million Asians and Asian Americans currently reside in the country. Approximately 44 million African Americans also live in the United States. To improve their limited social, economic, and political clout, Asians and Asian Americans in the United States (AAAUS) could benefit from the formation of mutually beneficial political alliances with African Americans…
Prevalence and associations of Covid-19 testing in an online sample of transgender and non-binary individuals
BACKGROUND: Testing for COVID-19 and linkage to services is fundamental to successful containment and control of transmission. Yet, knowledge on COVID-19 testing among transgender and non-binary communities remains limited. METHODS: Between October 2020 and November 2020, we examined the prevalence and associations of COVID-19 testing in an online sample of transgender and non-binary people (n=536). Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression …
Characterising the impact of Covid-19 environment on mental health, gender affirming services and socioeconomic loss in a global sample of transgender and non-binary people: A structural equation mode…
BACKGROUND: We characterised the impact of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic conditions, access to gender affirmation services and mental health outcomes in a sample of global transgender (trans) and non-binary populations. METHODS: Between 16 April 2020 and 3 August 2020, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with a global sample of trans and non-binary people (n=849) through an online social networking app. We conducted structural equational modell…
HIV treatment engagement in the context of Covid-19: An observational global sample of transgender and nonbinary people living with HIV
Our results suggest that currently taking ART, having access to an HIV provider, and being able to access HIV treatment without burden and remotely refill HIV medication are suboptimal among trans and nonbinary people living with HIV across the world. Strengthening support for HIV programs that are well-connected to trans and nonbinary communities, increasing remote access to HIV providers and prescription refills, and providing socioeconomic sup…
HIV Prevention Among Cisgender Men Who have Sex with Transgender Women
From imperialism to inpatient care: Work differences of Filipino and White registered nurses in the United States and implications for Covid‐19 through an intersectional lens
In the United States, nursing is the largest healthcare profession, with over 3.2 million registered nurses (RNs) nationwide and comprised of mostly women. Foreign-trained RNs make up 15 percent of the RN workforce. For over half a century, the U.S. healthcare industry has recruited these RNs in response to nurse shortages in hospitals and nursing homes. Philippines-trained RNs make up 1 out of 20 RNs in this country and continue to be the larges…
Correlates of Geosocial Networking Applications (GSN Apps) Usage among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nigeria, Africa
Gender affirming hormone therapy dosing behaviors among transgender and nonbinary adults
Gender-affirming hormones have been shown to improve psychological functioning and quality of life among transgender and nonbinary (trans) people, yet, scant research exists regarding whether and why individuals take more or less hormones than prescribed. Drawing on survey data from 379 trans people who were prescribed hormones, we utilized multivariable logistic regression models to identify factors associated with hormone-dosing behaviors and c…
Experiences of violence and discrimination among LGBTQ+ individuals during the Covid-19 pandemic: A global cross-sectional analysis
OBJECTIVES: To characterise the extent to which the levels of violence and discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people have changed amid COVID-19. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, secondary analysis. SETTING: 79 countries. PARTICIPANTS: All adults (aged ≥18 years) who used the Hornet social networking application and provided consent to participate. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome was whether individuals ha…
Asian, Latinx, or Multiracial? Assessing Filipinxs’ Health Conditions and Outcomes by Aggregate Ethnic Category
Medicine (29 works) · Psychology (28 works) · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy (22 works) · Sociology (18 works) · Family medicine (17 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (17 works) · Transgender (17 works) · Political science (16 works) · Psychiatry (15 works) · Nursing (14 works)