Kalysha Closson
Biographic Data
| ID | 197600 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kalysha Closson |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kalysha |
| FAMILY NAME | Closson |
| SIGNATURE | CLOSSON K |
| AFFILIATIONS | Simon Fraser University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-2985-0610 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 40 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 24 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 40 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2016 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Perceptions of masculinity and relationship power among young men in Durban and Soweto, South Africa
Masculinities influence sexual, reproductive, and mental health outcomes and health seeking behaviours, as they intersect with socioeconomic, cultural and political forces. In post-apartheid South Africa, racialised inequities and social change shape how young men navigate gender and relationships. This paper explores how young men living in urban informal settlements understand masculinity and relationship power. Cognitive interviews were conduc…
The Role of Housing Conditions, Air Quality and Green Spaces on the Psychological Well-being of Adolescents living with HIV
Background The psychological well-being of adolescents is often associated with environmental factors such as air pollution, green spaces and housing conditions; however, little is known about how these factors shape the experiences of adolescents living with HIV in under-resourced communities. Aim This study explored the role of urban environmental factors, including housing conditions, air quality and green spaces, on the psychological well-bei…
Depressive symptomatology and their correlates among caregivers of children and adolescents living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Background Few studies have examined factors linked to depressive symptomatology among caregivers of children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV). This study estimated prevalence of depressive symptoms and identified associated factors among caregivers of CALHIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Methods We used baseline data from a cluster-randomised controlled trial of the impact of a cash transfer program and an economic empowerment intervent…
Assessing Queer, Trans, and Non-monogamous Youths’ Experiences in a Community-based Research Project on Gender Equity
Assessing Queer, Trans, and Non-monogamous Youths’ Experiences in a Community-based Research Project on Gender Equity
This assessment offers insight into successful implementation of a YPAR approach with queer, trans, and/or non-monogamous young women and non-binary youth, providing a roadmap for health researchers to build projects wherein a diversity of youth feel valued and supported
The role of climate change anxiety in shaping childrearing intentions among people living in British Columbia
Introduction: Climate change concerns have emerged as a factor in shaping childrearing intentions. Given extreme weather events, climate change-related anxiety has increased drastically in the region of British Columbia (BC), Canada. This study explored how worry about an increasingly uncertain future may be associated with people's childrearing intentions in BC. Methods: = 441) to examine the association between climate change anxiety [measured …
Experiences of violence and hospitalization rates among people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
People living with HIV (PLWH) in Canada experience high rates of interpersonal violence which may lead to adverse health outcomes that require hospitalization. Using self-reported data on experiences of violence linked to administrative health data on hospitalizations, we used Poisson regression modelling to examine and compare the associations between experiences of violence (recent [in the past 6 months], non-recent [>6 months ago], or none) an…
Is Honor Culture Linked With Depression: Examining the Replicability and Robustness of a Disputed Association at the State and Individual Levels
A large body of evidence indicates that U.S. honor states exhibit higher suicide rates than do dignity states. Research into one potential precipitating factor, depression, has yielded conflicting evidence, with support for an honor–depression association observed by some researchers but not by others. The present research (a) reassessed this association using more robust measures, (b) extended prior work by also examining suicidal ideation, and …
Recommendations for Measuring Intimate Partner Violence and Relationship Equity Among Queer and Trans Young Women and Non-Binary Youth in British Columbia Canada
Extensive research documents the negative impacts of inequitable intimate relationship power dynamics on gender equity for cisgender, heterosexual women. However, limited research has explored this issue among queer and trans young women and non-binary youth aged 16-29, partly due to inadequate measurement tools. We aimed to (1) explore youth perceptions of existing scales that measure gender and relationship equity; and (2) develop recommendatio…
Life became harder with Covid-19’: Exploring the experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic among youth living in eThekwini district, South Africa
We found that South African youth experienced significant grief and multiple losses (e.g., death, income, job, and educational) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma-aware interventions that provide economic and educational opportunities must be included in post-COVID recovery efforts
Relationship impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown restrictions on young women and men in Durban and Soweto, South Africa
To deepen our understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intimate and/or sexual relationships, we conducted a qualitative study among 26 South African women and men aged 21-30 years in Durban and Soweto between September 2020 and March 2021. Overall, 13 women and 12 men who had been in an intimate and/or sexual relationship since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic were asked about the impact of COVID-19 on their relationships with th…
Increased difficulty accessing food and income change during the Covid-19 pandemic among youth living in the eThekwini district, South Africa
Objective: To estimate the effect of income change on difficulty accessing food since the COVID-19 pandemic for South African youth and evaluate whether this effect was modified by receiving social grants. Design: A cross-sectional, online survey was conducted between December 2021 and May 2022. Primary outcome was increased difficulty accessing food since the COVID-19 pandemic. Income change was categorised as ‘Decreased a lot’, ‘Decreased sligh…
Nobody has written the book about what non-binary people should put forward in relationships: Exploring gender equity in relationships of queer, trans, and non-monogamous young women and non-binary yo…
Associations between psychosocial factors and antiretroviral therapy outcomes differ by gender and sexual orientation among people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Little is known about how the co-occurrence of psychosocial factors affect sub-populations of people living with HIV (PLWH). We used cross-sectional data from 999 PLWH, aged ≥19, accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in British Columbia, Canada (2007-2010) to examine associations between psychosocial factors and ART-related outcomes separately for trans/cis inclusive women; heterosexual men; and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men…
Is parental engagement associated with subsequent delayed marriage and marital choices of adolescent girls? Evidence from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (Udaya) survey in …
Parental engagement on school performance, friendship, and personal issues in early adolescence may help delay marriage and support marital choice for girls in India
Examining gender and sexual orientation differences in physical intimate partner violence experienced and perpetrated by youth living in eThekwini district South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic
Over one in six youth in our study experienced and one in ten perpetrated physical IPV since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with gender and sexual non-conforming youth experiencing and perpetrating IPV at significantly greater rates than cisgender/heterosexual peers. Our findings highlight the need for gender transformative efforts that move beyond the gender binary to support healthy relationships and IPV prevention for LGBTQ + youth in Sou…
Measuring negative emotional responses to climate change among young people in survey research: A systematic review
Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin for Treating Psychological Distress among Survivors of Adverse Childhood Experiences: Evidence on Acceptability and Potential Efficacy of Psilocybin Use
Survivors of adverse childhood experience are at elevated risk for psychological distress. In recent years, renewed interest in psychedelic medicine has highlighted the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for those who have experienced childhood adversity. However, recreational psilocybin use remains illegal and access to approved therapies is difficult. Such use provides an opportunity to explore the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for psych…
Relationship and Gender Equity Measurement Among Gender-Inclusive Young Women and Non-Binary Youth in British Columbia (RE-Imagyn BC): Planning a Youth-Led, Community-Based, Qualitative Research Study
Gender-based power dynamics within intimate relationships such as controlling behaviours are driven by inequitable gender norms that perpetuate intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet, the ways in which we understand and measure gender-based power dynamics focus on the relationships of monogamous, cisgender, white, heterosexual women. This paper outlines our process of planning and implementing a qualitative, youth-led, community-based research (CBR…
Gender, Power, and Health: Measuring and Assessing Sexual Relationship Power Equity Among Young Sub-Saharan African Women and Men, a Systematic Review
Gender inequity, including low sexual relationship power (SRP), is an important determinant of intimate partner violence (IPV) and negative sexual, reproductive, and mental health. Different versions of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) are commonly used within youth studies to examine how gender inequities, including controlling behaviors, in heterosexual relationships impact the lives of young people in sub-Saharan Africa. This review …
“I feel like it is asking if he is a stalker … but I also feel like it is asking if he cares”: Exploring young South African women and men’s perceptions of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale
Given identified issues, several adaptations including revising items to be more inclusive, contemporary, context specific, relational, and strength-based are needed to validly measure gender equity and power dynamics within the relationships of South African youth
Adolescent Girls and Their Family Members’ Attitudes Around Gendered Power Inequity and Associations with Future Aspirations in Karnataka, India
Intergenerational differences in inequitable gender attitudes may influence developmental outcomes, including education. In rural Karnataka, India, we examined the extent of intergenerational (adolescent girls [AGs] vs. older generation family members) dis/agreement to attitudes around gendered power inequities, including gender roles and violence against women (VAW). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression examined associations between inter…
It’s a 50/50 Thing You Know ”: Exploring the Multileveled Intersections of Gender and Power Within the Relationships of Young South African Men and Women
Efforts to advance sexual health globally require greater understandings of youth intimate relationship dynamics. Among 38 South African youth (21 women/17 men aged 21-30 from Durban and Soweto) we conducted qualitative cognitive interviews to explore how gender and power intersect to shape intimate relationship dynamics (October 2019-March 2021). Participants discussed perceptions and relevance of each of 13 items comprising the Sexual Relations…
High cellphone use associated with greater risk of depression among young women aged 15–24 years in Soweto and Durban, South Africa
BACKGROUND: The ubiquity of cellular phone (cellphone) use in young people's daily lives has emerged as a priority area of concern for youth mental health. OBJECTIVE: This study measured the prevalence of depression and its association with high cellphone use among youth in Soweto and Durban, South Africa. METHODS: We analysed cross-sectional, baseline survey data among youth aged 16-24 who participated in a dual-site cohort study, 'AYAZAZI', con…
Correlates of social isolation among people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Our study aims to define and identify correlates of social isolation among people living with HIV (PLHIV). The Longitudinal Investigation into Supportive and Ancillary health services (LISA) study provided a cross-sectional analytic sample of 996 PLHIV in British Columbia, Canada (sampled between 2007 and 2010). Individuals marginalized by socio-structural inequities were oversampled; sampling bias was addressed through inverse probability of par…
Navigating identity, territorial stigma, and HIV care services in Vancouver, Canada: A qualitative study
Relationship and Gender Equity Measurement Among Gender-Inclusive Young Women and Non-Binary Youth in British Columbia (RE-Imagyn BC): Planning a Youth-Led, Community-Based, Qualitative Research Study
Gender-based power dynamics within intimate relationships such as controlling behaviours are driven by inequitable gender norms that perpetuate intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet, the ways in which we understand and measure gender-based power dynamics focus on the relationships of monogamous, cisgender, white, heterosexual women. This paper outlines our process of planning and implementing a qualitative, youth-led, community-based research (CBR…
Loneliness and self-rated physical health among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada
Background Due to stigma and discrimination, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) potentially carry a heightened burden of loneliness. This analysis investigates loneliness among gbMSM and its relationship with self-rated physical health, along with the mediating effect of depression. Methods Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling into the Momentum Health Study (February 2012–February 2015) with follow-u…
Adolescent Girls and Their Family Members’ Attitudes Around Gendered Power Inequity and Associations with Future Aspirations in Karnataka, India
Intergenerational differences in inequitable gender attitudes may influence developmental outcomes, including education. In rural Karnataka, India, we examined the extent of intergenerational (adolescent girls [AGs] vs. older generation family members) dis/agreement to attitudes around gendered power inequities, including gender roles and violence against women (VAW). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression examined associations between inter…
It’s a 50/50 Thing You Know ”: Exploring the Multileveled Intersections of Gender and Power Within the Relationships of Young South African Men and Women
Efforts to advance sexual health globally require greater understandings of youth intimate relationship dynamics. Among 38 South African youth (21 women/17 men aged 21-30 from Durban and Soweto) we conducted qualitative cognitive interviews to explore how gender and power intersect to shape intimate relationship dynamics (October 2019-March 2021). Participants discussed perceptions and relevance of each of 13 items comprising the Sexual Relations…
High prevalence of depression symptomology among adolescents in Soweto, South Africa associated with being female and cofactors relating to HIV transmission
Adolescents in HIV endemic settings are a priority demographic with respect to HIV prevention. Some studies have shown that behaviours associated with HIV transmission, may be mediated by mental health factors such as depression. We undertook this study to explore the prevalence and associations of depression symptomology among adolescents living in the HIV endemic community of Soweto, South Africa through the Botsha Bophelo Adolescent Health Stu…
Prevalence, type, and correlates of trauma exposure among adolescent men and women in Soweto, South Africa: Implications for HIV prevention
Nearly all adolescents in this study experienced trauma, with gendered differences in PTE types and correlates, but not prevalence. Exposure to PTEs were distributed along social and gendered axes. Among adolescent women, associations with depression and inconsistent condom use suggest pathways for HIV risk. HIV prevention interventions targeting adolescents must address the syndemics of trauma and HIV through the scale-up of gender-transformativ…
High prevalence of depression symptomology among adolescents in Soweto, South Africa associated with being female and cofactors relating to HIV transmission
Adolescents in HIV endemic settings are a priority demographic with respect to HIV prevention. Some studies have shown that behaviours associated with HIV transmission, may be mediated by mental health factors such as depression. We undertook this study to explore the prevalence and associations of depression symptomology among adolescents living in the HIV endemic community of Soweto, South Africa through the Botsha Bophelo Adolescent Health Stu…
Navigating identity, territorial stigma, and HIV care services in Vancouver, Canada: A qualitative study
Gender, Sexual Self-Efficacy and Consistent Condom Use Among Adolescents Living in the HIV Hyper-Endemic Setting of Soweto, South Africa
Factors Associated with Mood Disorder Diagnosis Among a Population Based Cohort of Men and Women Living With and Without HIV in British Columbia Between 1998 and 2012
Factors associated with low neighborhood cohesion among women living with HIV impacted by social-structural inequities in British Columbia
Built and social environments, including one's perception of their environment, are important determinants of health. The intersection of gender and HIV status may complicate the role of neighborhood cohesion in safety, personal well-being, and health outcomes for populations impacted by social and structural inequities. Among women in particular, social cohesion within the neighborhood they reside in may have a greater influence on health outcom…
Gender differences in prevalence and correlates of high sexual self-efficacy among adolescents in Soweto, South Africa: Implications for gender-sensitive research and programming
Sexual self-efficacy (SSE) - one's confidence in their ability to perform given sexual behaviours, has been shown to predict adolescents' HIV-prevention practices (e.g., Condom use). Few studies within sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV incidence and prevalence disproportionately affects young women, have examined gendered differences in SSE. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify correlates of high-SSE separately among adolescent men a…
Sexual Self-Efficacy and Gender: A Review of Condom Use and Sexual Negotiation Among Young Men and Women in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sexual self-efficacy (SSE), one's perceived control of or confidence in the ability to perform a given sexual outcome, predicts sexual behavior; however, important questions remain regarding whether gender modifies observed associations. In a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed HIV-prevention literature focusing on youth (ages 10 to 25) in sub-Saharan Africa, we measured and assessed the influence of SSE on condom use and sexual refusal, overal…
HIV leadership programming attendance is associated with PrEP and PEP awareness among young, gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada
Younger GBM, who are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic, are less aware of new prevention technologies than older GBM, but attending peer-based HIV-leadership programs ameliorates age-disparities in HIV-prevention knowledge and treatment optimism
The syndemic effect of HIV/HCV co-infection and mental health disorders on acute care hospitalization rate among people living with HIV/Aids: A population-based retrospective cohort study
Social Isolation and Mortality Among People Living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Gender role conflict and sexual health and relationship practices amongst young men living in urban informal settlements in South Africa
Qualitative research suggests that men's inability to achieve dominant forms of masculinity may be related to HIV-risk behaviours and intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Using clustered cross-sectional data, we assessed how young men's gender role conflict was associated with HIV-risk behaviours in urban informal settlements in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Gender Role Conflict and Stress (GRC/S) was measured using a South African adapta…
Loneliness and self-rated physical health among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Vancouver, Canada
Background Due to stigma and discrimination, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) potentially carry a heightened burden of loneliness. This analysis investigates loneliness among gbMSM and its relationship with self-rated physical health, along with the mediating effect of depression. Methods Participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling into the Momentum Health Study (February 2012–February 2015) with follow-u…
Challenges and opportunities for graduate students in public health during the Covid-19 pandemic
High cellphone use associated with greater risk of depression among young women aged 15–24 years in Soweto and Durban, South Africa
BACKGROUND: The ubiquity of cellular phone (cellphone) use in young people's daily lives has emerged as a priority area of concern for youth mental health. OBJECTIVE: This study measured the prevalence of depression and its association with high cellphone use among youth in Soweto and Durban, South Africa. METHODS: We analysed cross-sectional, baseline survey data among youth aged 16-24 who participated in a dual-site cohort study, 'AYAZAZI', con…
Correlates of social isolation among people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Our study aims to define and identify correlates of social isolation among people living with HIV (PLHIV). The Longitudinal Investigation into Supportive and Ancillary health services (LISA) study provided a cross-sectional analytic sample of 996 PLHIV in British Columbia, Canada (sampled between 2007 and 2010). Individuals marginalized by socio-structural inequities were oversampled; sampling bias was addressed through inverse probability of par…
The opioid crisis is driving mortality among under-served people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Overdose is - the leading cause of mortality among a cohort of under-served PLWH in BC, Canada. Public health efforts to end the HIV epidemic and support the health and well-being of PLWH are being thwarted by persistent health inequities and the enormous and persistent risks facing people who use drugs. Integrated low-barrier primary care is essential for supporting under-served PLWH, and safe drug supply is needed to support PLWH who use drugs
Gender, Power, and Health: Measuring and Assessing Sexual Relationship Power Equity Among Young Sub-Saharan African Women and Men, a Systematic Review
Gender inequity, including low sexual relationship power (SRP), is an important determinant of intimate partner violence (IPV) and negative sexual, reproductive, and mental health. Different versions of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale (SRPS) are commonly used within youth studies to examine how gender inequities, including controlling behaviors, in heterosexual relationships impact the lives of young people in sub-Saharan Africa. This review …
“I feel like it is asking if he is a stalker … but I also feel like it is asking if he cares”: Exploring young South African women and men’s perceptions of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale
Given identified issues, several adaptations including revising items to be more inclusive, contemporary, context specific, relational, and strength-based are needed to validly measure gender equity and power dynamics within the relationships of South African youth
Adolescent Girls and Their Family Members’ Attitudes Around Gendered Power Inequity and Associations with Future Aspirations in Karnataka, India
Intergenerational differences in inequitable gender attitudes may influence developmental outcomes, including education. In rural Karnataka, India, we examined the extent of intergenerational (adolescent girls [AGs] vs. older generation family members) dis/agreement to attitudes around gendered power inequities, including gender roles and violence against women (VAW). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression examined associations between inter…
It’s a 50/50 Thing You Know ”: Exploring the Multileveled Intersections of Gender and Power Within the Relationships of Young South African Men and Women
Efforts to advance sexual health globally require greater understandings of youth intimate relationship dynamics. Among 38 South African youth (21 women/17 men aged 21-30 from Durban and Soweto) we conducted qualitative cognitive interviews to explore how gender and power intersect to shape intimate relationship dynamics (October 2019-March 2021). Participants discussed perceptions and relevance of each of 13 items comprising the Sexual Relations…
Associations between psychosocial factors and antiretroviral therapy outcomes differ by gender and sexual orientation among people living with HIV in British Columbia, Canada
Little is known about how the co-occurrence of psychosocial factors affect sub-populations of people living with HIV (PLWH). We used cross-sectional data from 999 PLWH, aged ≥19, accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART) in British Columbia, Canada (2007-2010) to examine associations between psychosocial factors and ART-related outcomes separately for trans/cis inclusive women; heterosexual men; and gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men…
Is parental engagement associated with subsequent delayed marriage and marital choices of adolescent girls? Evidence from the Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults (Udaya) survey in …
Parental engagement on school performance, friendship, and personal issues in early adolescence may help delay marriage and support marital choice for girls in India
Examining gender and sexual orientation differences in physical intimate partner violence experienced and perpetrated by youth living in eThekwini district South Africa during the Covid-19 pandemic
Over one in six youth in our study experienced and one in ten perpetrated physical IPV since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with gender and sexual non-conforming youth experiencing and perpetrating IPV at significantly greater rates than cisgender/heterosexual peers. Our findings highlight the need for gender transformative efforts that move beyond the gender binary to support healthy relationships and IPV prevention for LGBTQ + youth in Sou…
Measuring negative emotional responses to climate change among young people in survey research: A systematic review
Medicine (27 works) · Demography (20 works) · Psychology (20 works) · Sociology (16 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (15 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (15 works) · Public health (14 works) · Demography (13 works) · Psychiatry (13 works) · Environmental health (12 works)