Substance use disorder disproportionately affects sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers, a disparity which is driven by unique stressors and systemic inequities. This systematic review synthesizes 122 empirical studies to explore the factors contributing to elevated rates of substance use among SGM youth and to identify gaps in existing prevention and intervention efforts. Findings reveal significant disparities, with SGM youth experiencing heightened vulnerability due to stressors such as expectations of rejection, interpersonal and structural discrimination, familial rejection, and other challenges of navigating a heteronormative world. These challenges are compounded by individual-level covariates including race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, which are often overlooked in existing research. A key finding is the paradox of community. While SGM-affirming spaces provide essential support, they are often closely associated with substance use. Despite sparse availability of targeted interventions, existing studies underscore the necessity of culturally relevant affirming approaches that address the unique needs of this population. Recommendations for youth, schools, practitioners, and families are provided, emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusive environments, reducing stigma, and building pathways to resilience and mental health. This review highlights an urgent call to action to address these disparities through innovative and inclusive prevention and intervention strategies.  

This systematic literature review investigated the issue of estranged father-son relationships and how they affect male youth, with the research question: “How do boys experiencing estranged father-son relationships negotiate their self-concept, informing their future identity as caregivers?” Peer-reviewed studies from PsychInfo, PubMed, ERIC, and Social Services Abstracts were analyzed, spanning two decades of research. The search yielded over 4,000 records, with 22 articles meeting the inclusion criteria following a full-text review and screening process. Guiding search terms included, ‘absent father’, ‘male youth’, ‘self-concept’, and ‘caregiving identity’. Articles were scrutinized according to conceptual variables to organize findings thematically. A qualitative synthesis conducted found that sons estranged from their biological fathers often express a strong desire to be present for their own children, experience emotional voids as a result of not being with their biological fathers, and have contact with unique social relationships—such as social fathers. This review discusses implications for male youth mental health and identity development, suggesting that estranged father-son relationships often serve as catalysts for unique caregiving identities.

Research indicates that how parents respond to their child's pain can impact the child's experience of abdominal pain during childhood. To better understand how the parental responses influence abdominal pain, a systematic literature review was conducted to examine recent research into parent responses to illness behavior and the influence on child functional abdominal pain. A search of the electronic databases PsychINFO, PubMed, and Web of Science was administered of articles published from 2015 to 2025 using the search terms unexplained abdominal pain, child*, psychosocial, assessment, disorders of gut brain interaction, and somatic. Searches were also administered of articles by authors Rona Levy, Tonya Polarmo, and Miranda Tilburg published from 2015 to 2025. The criteria for the studies were that the participants must include participation from parents/caregivers of children with abdominal pain, the pain must not be linked to an organic cause and children must be from the U.S.. Ten studies met criteria and were included in the review. One of the studies had participants of U.S. military families which meant some of the participants were living outside of the U.S., but the exact location is not included in the study. The literature found that parental perception of pain, parental catastrophizing, and parental protectiveness all had an impact on the pain of the child. However, the number of children in a family did not influence the parental perception of pain, parental catastrophizing, and parental protectiveness in the parent. Additionally, positive effects were found for CBT(cognitive behavioral therapy) treatment involving parents and children.