Angela Matijczak
Biographic Data
| ID | 86733 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Angela Matijczak |
| GIVEN NAMES | Angela |
| FAMILY NAME | Matijczak |
| SIGNATURE | MATIJCZAK A |
| AFFILIATIONS | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-6371-329X |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 12 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2020 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Visualizing identity and healing among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+)+ Latine people
Identity-related stressors and human-animal bonds
LGBTQ+ emerging adults frequently face stressors that heighten their risk of maladaptive coping behaviors, including substance use (SU). This study explores relationships between stressors associated with gender identity and expression (discrimination, rejection, and victimization), human-animal bonds (pet attachment and comfort derived from pets), and SU behaviors (nicotine use, cannabis use, and co-use of nicotine and cannabis) in 203 LGBTQ+ em…
Exploring Grit as an Individual Resilience Factor Associated with Community Resilience Among a Sample of LGB + College Students
My safety depends on everyone else feeling safe and good’
Emotion work is a regulatory method used to change the degree or quality of one's own or another's emotions. Among sexual minority people, emotion work is a regulatory method utilised to maximise identity expression while maintaining harmony in interpersonal connections. However, little is known about the utilisation of emotion work among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. We sought to address this gap by qualitatively exploring emotion…
“A ray of light in the chaos”
There is evidence that pet owners experienced benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and also struggled with pet-related stressors. Notably, almost all of these studies were conducted with predominantly cisgender and heterosexual samples. This is problematic, as evidence suggests that individuals who belong to marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ+ emerging adults, have been disproportionately affected by stressors associated with the pandemic. This …
The influence of interactions with pet dogs on psychological distress
Many people, including nearly half of American households, own a pet dog. Previous work has found that therapy dog interactions reduce distress, but little work to date has empirically established the mood-enhancing effects of interaction with one's own pet dog. In this study, dog owners ( N = 73; 86.3% female, 13.7% male; age 25-77 years) underwent a stress-inducing task followed by random assignment to either (a) interacting with their dog ( n …
Childhood Adversity Moderates Change in Latent Patterns of Psychological Adjustment during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Emerging evidence suggests that the consequences of childhood adversity impact later psychopathology by increasing individuals’ risk of experiencing difficulties in adjusting to stressful situations later in life. The goals of this study were to: (a) identify sociodemographic factors associated with subgroups of psychological adjustment prior to and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) examine whether and to what extent types of child…
Applications of Transformative Justice Principles for Centering Transgender and Gender Expansive Experiences in Social Work Education and Practice
Social work education has traditionally used frameworks, such as cultural competency, to guide implicit and explicit curricula that shape how we think about communities that live and thrive outside of white supremacist and cis/heteronormative norms and values. While the cultural competency framework intends to promote a level of consciousness and attention that is required to practice with diverse individuals, families, and communities whose iden…
The Link between Family Violence and Animal Cruelty
There is some evidence that family violence (intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, elder abuse) co-occurs with animal cruelty (i.e., threats to and/or actual harm of an animal), which is often referred to as “the link.” The aim of this scoping review was to comprehensively search the literature to determine the extent of empirical evidence that supports the co-occurrence of family violence and animal cruelty and that provides prevalence …
Running toward recovery
Individuals experiencing substance use disorder (SUD) and homelessness are vulnerable to additional biopsychosocial issues that can make recovery complex and challenging. It is important to promote interventions that address the unique needs of individuals concurrently experiencing homelessness and SUD. This study evaluated the pilot of a running program designed for individuals concurrently experiencing homelessness and SUD. We assessed particip…
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults experience multiple forms of gender minority stress, which affect their mental health and wellbeing. Belongingness has been identified as a factor that fosters resilience among this population, with potential protective effects. Few studies have explored the role of thwarted belongingness and its potential moderating effect on the relation between gender minority stress and mental health. This stud…
Relations between interpersonal microaggressions, depressive symptoms, and pet attachment in an LGBTQ + emerging adult sample
Exposure to microaggressions can have detrimental impacts on the mental health of LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Positive social relationships are a well-documented protective factor that help to buffer the impact of adversity on mental health in this population. However, the role of social relationships with pets has received minimal attention in research on LGBTQ+ mental health, despite the high prevalence of pets in U.S. households. This cross-sectio…
Relations Between Sexual and Gender Minority Stress, Personal Hardiness, and Psychological Stress in Emerging Adulthood
This study examines the role of human-animal interaction (HAI) in relations between sexual and gender minority (SGM) stress, personal hardiness, and psychological stress during emerging adulthood. Data for the current sample reflect 136 SGM emerging adults between the ages of 18 to 21 years who reported living with a companion animal in the past year (37.5% racial/ethnic minority, 49.2% transgender or gender -expansive, 98.5% sexual minority). Me…
Psychometric Evaluation of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale in a Sexual and Gender Minority Sample
Human-animal interaction research is growing in popularity and methodological rigor; however, there remains a need for psychometrically validated measures and inclusion of broader populations. This study addressed these gaps by reporting on the psychometric properties of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale (CCAS) in a sample of sexual and gender minority emerging adults. Participants included 138 emerging adults between the ages of 18-21 yea…
He was like, my ride or die”
This qualitative study explores the benefits and risks associated with living with companion animals during the transition to adulthood among 117 sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging adults living in the U.S. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using template analysis. Thematic analysis identified several risks (caregiver burden, pets as barriers to relationships, animal-related psychological stress) and benefits (pets as a buffer to st…
Relationships Between Emotional Comfort From Companion Animals and Victimization and Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults
Objective: The current study evaluates whether, and to what extent, the association between gender-based victimization and well-being among sexual and gender minority emerging adults varies as a function of emotional support from companion animals. Method: Data were collected from young people ages 18–21 years who self-identified as a sexual and/or gender minority (N = 134; 37.3% ethnic/racial minority; 49.2% gender minority; 98.5% sexual minorit…
The role of thwarted belongingness on the relationship between microaggressions and mental health for LGBTQ+ emerging adults
This study investigated thwarted belongingness as a moderator of the relationship between microaggressions and mental health among LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Using data collected from 186 LGBTQ+ emerging adults, we conducted separate moderation analyses to examine whether, and to what extent, the relation between microaggressions and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depressive symptoms) is moderated by thwarted belongingness. Interpersonal and enviro…
Social Support and Attachment to Pets Moderate the Association between Sexual and Gender Minority Status and the Likelihood of Delaying or Avoiding Covid-19 Testing
Sexual and gender minority individuals (SGM) face barriers to accessing COVID-19 testing and treatment services. Living with pets may pose an additional barrier due to concerns about pet welfare. This study investigates whether the relation between SGM status and the likelihood of delaying or avoiding testing and treatment for COVID-19 varies as a function of attachment to pets and social support. Our sample consisted of 1453 adults (Mage = 39.4 …
Do animal Cruelty Exposure and Positive Engagement with Pets Moderate Associations Between Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Externalizing Behavior Problems
Psychometric Evaluation of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale in a Sexual and Gender Minority Sample
Human-animal interaction research is growing in popularity and methodological rigor; however, there remains a need for psychometrically validated measures and inclusion of broader populations. This study addressed these gaps by reporting on the psychometric properties of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale (CCAS) in a sample of sexual and gender minority emerging adults. Participants included 138 emerging adults between the ages of 18-21 yea…
The role of thwarted belongingness on the relationship between microaggressions and mental health for LGBTQ+ emerging adults
This study investigated thwarted belongingness as a moderator of the relationship between microaggressions and mental health among LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Using data collected from 186 LGBTQ+ emerging adults, we conducted separate moderation analyses to examine whether, and to what extent, the relation between microaggressions and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depressive symptoms) is moderated by thwarted belongingness. Interpersonal and enviro…
Relations Between Sexual and Gender Minority Stress, Personal Hardiness, and Psychological Stress in Emerging Adulthood
This study examines the role of human-animal interaction (HAI) in relations between sexual and gender minority (SGM) stress, personal hardiness, and psychological stress during emerging adulthood. Data for the current sample reflect 136 SGM emerging adults between the ages of 18 to 21 years who reported living with a companion animal in the past year (37.5% racial/ethnic minority, 49.2% transgender or gender -expansive, 98.5% sexual minority). Me…
Relationships Between Emotional Comfort From Companion Animals and Victimization and Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults
Objective: The current study evaluates whether, and to what extent, the association between gender-based victimization and well-being among sexual and gender minority emerging adults varies as a function of emotional support from companion animals. Method: Data were collected from young people ages 18–21 years who self-identified as a sexual and/or gender minority (N = 134; 37.3% ethnic/racial minority; 49.2% gender minority; 98.5% sexual minorit…
Social Support and Attachment to Pets Moderate the Association between Sexual and Gender Minority Status and the Likelihood of Delaying or Avoiding Covid-19 Testing
Sexual and gender minority individuals (SGM) face barriers to accessing COVID-19 testing and treatment services. Living with pets may pose an additional barrier due to concerns about pet welfare. This study investigates whether the relation between SGM status and the likelihood of delaying or avoiding testing and treatment for COVID-19 varies as a function of attachment to pets and social support. Our sample consisted of 1453 adults (Mage = 39.4 …
Do animal Cruelty Exposure and Positive Engagement with Pets Moderate Associations Between Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Externalizing Behavior Problems
He was like, my ride or die”
This qualitative study explores the benefits and risks associated with living with companion animals during the transition to adulthood among 117 sexual and gender minority (SGM) emerging adults living in the U.S. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed using template analysis. Thematic analysis identified several risks (caregiver burden, pets as barriers to relationships, animal-related psychological stress) and benefits (pets as a buffer to st…
Relationships Between Emotional Comfort From Companion Animals and Victimization and Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults
Objective: The current study evaluates whether, and to what extent, the association between gender-based victimization and well-being among sexual and gender minority emerging adults varies as a function of emotional support from companion animals. Method: Data were collected from young people ages 18–21 years who self-identified as a sexual and/or gender minority (N = 134; 37.3% ethnic/racial minority; 49.2% gender minority; 98.5% sexual minorit…
The role of thwarted belongingness on the relationship between microaggressions and mental health for LGBTQ+ emerging adults
This study investigated thwarted belongingness as a moderator of the relationship between microaggressions and mental health among LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Using data collected from 186 LGBTQ+ emerging adults, we conducted separate moderation analyses to examine whether, and to what extent, the relation between microaggressions and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depressive symptoms) is moderated by thwarted belongingness. Interpersonal and enviro…
Social Support and Attachment to Pets Moderate the Association between Sexual and Gender Minority Status and the Likelihood of Delaying or Avoiding Covid-19 Testing
Sexual and gender minority individuals (SGM) face barriers to accessing COVID-19 testing and treatment services. Living with pets may pose an additional barrier due to concerns about pet welfare. This study investigates whether the relation between SGM status and the likelihood of delaying or avoiding testing and treatment for COVID-19 varies as a function of attachment to pets and social support. Our sample consisted of 1453 adults (Mage = 39.4 …
The Link between Family Violence and Animal Cruelty
There is some evidence that family violence (intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, elder abuse) co-occurs with animal cruelty (i.e., threats to and/or actual harm of an animal), which is often referred to as “the link.” The aim of this scoping review was to comprehensively search the literature to determine the extent of empirical evidence that supports the co-occurrence of family violence and animal cruelty and that provides prevalence …
Running toward recovery
Individuals experiencing substance use disorder (SUD) and homelessness are vulnerable to additional biopsychosocial issues that can make recovery complex and challenging. It is important to promote interventions that address the unique needs of individuals concurrently experiencing homelessness and SUD. This study evaluated the pilot of a running program designed for individuals concurrently experiencing homelessness and SUD. We assessed particip…
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults experience multiple forms of gender minority stress, which affect their mental health and wellbeing. Belongingness has been identified as a factor that fosters resilience among this population, with potential protective effects. Few studies have explored the role of thwarted belongingness and its potential moderating effect on the relation between gender minority stress and mental health. This stud…
Relations between interpersonal microaggressions, depressive symptoms, and pet attachment in an LGBTQ + emerging adult sample
Exposure to microaggressions can have detrimental impacts on the mental health of LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Positive social relationships are a well-documented protective factor that help to buffer the impact of adversity on mental health in this population. However, the role of social relationships with pets has received minimal attention in research on LGBTQ+ mental health, despite the high prevalence of pets in U.S. households. This cross-sectio…
Relations Between Sexual and Gender Minority Stress, Personal Hardiness, and Psychological Stress in Emerging Adulthood
This study examines the role of human-animal interaction (HAI) in relations between sexual and gender minority (SGM) stress, personal hardiness, and psychological stress during emerging adulthood. Data for the current sample reflect 136 SGM emerging adults between the ages of 18 to 21 years who reported living with a companion animal in the past year (37.5% racial/ethnic minority, 49.2% transgender or gender -expansive, 98.5% sexual minority). Me…
Psychometric Evaluation of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale in a Sexual and Gender Minority Sample
Human-animal interaction research is growing in popularity and methodological rigor; however, there remains a need for psychometrically validated measures and inclusion of broader populations. This study addressed these gaps by reporting on the psychometric properties of the Comfort from Companion Animals Scale (CCAS) in a sample of sexual and gender minority emerging adults. Participants included 138 emerging adults between the ages of 18-21 yea…
“A ray of light in the chaos”
There is evidence that pet owners experienced benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic and also struggled with pet-related stressors. Notably, almost all of these studies were conducted with predominantly cisgender and heterosexual samples. This is problematic, as evidence suggests that individuals who belong to marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ+ emerging adults, have been disproportionately affected by stressors associated with the pandemic. This …
The influence of interactions with pet dogs on psychological distress
Many people, including nearly half of American households, own a pet dog. Previous work has found that therapy dog interactions reduce distress, but little work to date has empirically established the mood-enhancing effects of interaction with one's own pet dog. In this study, dog owners ( N = 73; 86.3% female, 13.7% male; age 25-77 years) underwent a stress-inducing task followed by random assignment to either (a) interacting with their dog ( n …
Childhood Adversity Moderates Change in Latent Patterns of Psychological Adjustment during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Emerging evidence suggests that the consequences of childhood adversity impact later psychopathology by increasing individuals’ risk of experiencing difficulties in adjusting to stressful situations later in life. The goals of this study were to: (a) identify sociodemographic factors associated with subgroups of psychological adjustment prior to and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) examine whether and to what extent types of child…
Applications of Transformative Justice Principles for Centering Transgender and Gender Expansive Experiences in Social Work Education and Practice
Social work education has traditionally used frameworks, such as cultural competency, to guide implicit and explicit curricula that shape how we think about communities that live and thrive outside of white supremacist and cis/heteronormative norms and values. While the cultural competency framework intends to promote a level of consciousness and attention that is required to practice with diverse individuals, families, and communities whose iden…
My safety depends on everyone else feeling safe and good’
Emotion work is a regulatory method used to change the degree or quality of one's own or another's emotions. Among sexual minority people, emotion work is a regulatory method utilised to maximise identity expression while maintaining harmony in interpersonal connections. However, little is known about the utilisation of emotion work among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people. We sought to address this gap by qualitatively exploring emotion…
Identity-related stressors and human-animal bonds
LGBTQ+ emerging adults frequently face stressors that heighten their risk of maladaptive coping behaviors, including substance use (SU). This study explores relationships between stressors associated with gender identity and expression (discrimination, rejection, and victimization), human-animal bonds (pet attachment and comfort derived from pets), and SU behaviors (nicotine use, cannabis use, and co-use of nicotine and cannabis) in 203 LGBTQ+ em…
Exploring Grit as an Individual Resilience Factor Associated with Community Resilience Among a Sample of LGB + College Students
Visualizing identity and healing among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+)+ Latine people
Psychology (18 works) · Clinical Psychology (14 works) · Social Psychology (13 works) · Clinical Psychology (11 works) · Developmental psychology (9 works) · Human-Animal Interaction Studies (9 works) · Sexual orientation (9 works) · Social Psychology (9 works) · Medicine (8 works) · Psychiatry (7 works)