Browsing by Person "Rivers, Ian"

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The role of social and professional support seeking in trauma recovery: lesbian, gay and bisexual experiences of crime and fears for safety
(2010) Rivers, Ian; McPherson, Kerri; Hughes, John
Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people are often victims of crime, hate crime or regularly fear for personal safety. Although very few LGB people report assaults or injury to law enforcement, many more are willing to seek counselling from mental health professionals. This article provides pilot data exploring the roles of multiple protective variables in reducing trauma symptoms, including willingness to seek counselling, among a UK sample of LGB victims of crime, who hate crime or who fear for personal safety. In addition to factors such as age and gender, results indicated that openness about one's sexual orientation, a willingness to seek counselling and family support were associated significantly with low trauma scores. These findings are discussed with respect to current developments in health service provision across the United Kingdom.
Victimization, social support, and psychosocial functioning among children of same-sex and opposite-sex couples in the United Kingdom.
(2008-01) Rivers, Ian; Poteat, V. Paul; Noret, Nathalie
To further develop an understanding of psychological and social functioning of children raised by lesbian couples, the authors compared 18 students ages 12-16 raised in families led by female same-sex couples, who were identified from a large school-based survey, with 18 matched students raised by opposite-sex couples and the general student sample. Comparisons were made on factors including victimization, social support, and psychological functioning. Results indicate that those students raised by female same-sex couples did not differ significantly from those raised by opposite-sex couples or the general student sample in terms of reports of victimization, psychological functioning, experience of common adolescent concerns, or prospective use of support outlets provided by family and peers. However, children of same-sex couples reported significantly less likelihood of using school-based support than did children of opposite-sex couples or the general student sample. Findings indicate the need for school administrators, teachers, and psychologists to be knowledgeable of and provide appropriate support and resources for these children. Additional implications for research and application are discussed. 2008 American Psychological Association.
Well-being among same-sex- and opposite-sex-attracted youth at school
(National Association of School Psychologists, 2008) Rivers, Ian; Noret, N.
In this study, 53 students who reported being solely or primarily attracted to members of the same sex were matched with 53 peers who reported being attracted solely to members of the opposite sex on various demographic factors as well as exposure to bullying at school. Data relating to tobacco and alcohol use, drug use, health risk behaviors, concerns and sources of social support, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, suicide ideation, loneliness, and concentration were analyzed. Results indicated that same-sex-attracted students reported drinking alcohol alone more than opposite-sex-attracted peers; however, they were no more likely to engage in health-risk behaviors, or use Class 1 and 2 drugs. They were more likely to report being worried about being lesbian or gay, and were more likely to seek support from a member of school staff than opposite-sex-attracted peers. In terms of psychological well-being, same-sex-attracted students scored significantly higher on a hostility subscale when compared to opposite-sex-attracted peers and were more likely to report feeling lonely. These results suggest that the management of reactive aggression or hostility toward others may be a key determinant of healthy gay, lesbian, and bisexual development. Copyright 2008 by the National Association of School Psychologists.