Cindy Veldhuis

• PhD
• Associate Research Scientist at Northwestern University

This paper examines the areas of psychological and physiological concern when working with patients who have eating disorders as they move through the postpartum period. These concerns include infant feeding, maternal-child bonding, and postpartum adjustment. The combination of psychological stressors of new motherhood and body image concerns inten...

We examined motivation for cessation and plans to quit among 945 high school students in 2001 at three levels of smoking frequency (regular, occasional, and infrequent). Surveys were completed at six Illinois high schools. In multivariate models, females (compared to males) and white students (compared to nonwhite students) were more likely to plan...

Power in therapy is an issue of great import. As feminist therapists, we work to ereate a relationship in which power is shared, and where mutuality is the goal. Yet denying power differentials in the therapy relationship may have deleterious consequences. Believing that we are powerless or have no power relative to others may be one of the most im...

Purpose Despite the strong effects of social relationships on psychopathology, interpersonal emotion regulation (IER) is understudied compared to intra personal emotion regulation (ER). In particular, external IER (e.g., ER influences received from others within interpersonal interactions ) is less understood than internal IER (e.g., intrinsic or s...

There has been increasing attention to—and debate about—best practices related to gender measurement. We add to this conversation by testing whether an approach of providing participants with an extensive list of gender options and then having them self-select into a more limited group of choices (that cohere with the research questions) could be u...

The American Psychological Association Division 44 Science Committee created this guidance to provide support and assistance to those who conduct sexual orientation and gender diversity (SOGD) research. We aim to: (a) provide guidance to new researchers on publishing SOGD research; (b) advance the field by creating standards for publications; (c) s...

Little empirical research has investigated coercive tactics and their impacts on victims of intimate partner violence. Abusers may consciously exploit these tactics to suppress the abused partner’s independence, reduce the likelihood of exposure, and enable continued abuse. In turn, these have predictable impacts on victims’ self-esteem and agency,...

PURPOSE This narrative review of research conducted during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic examines whether alcohol use among cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary people increased during the pandemic. The overarching goal of the review is to inform intervention and prevention efforts to halt the narrowing of gender-related diffe...

Background Evidence from many parts of the world shows that sexual and gender minority (SGM) people have poorer health than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Minority stressors, particularly stigma and discrimination, have been identified as major contributors to sexual orientation- and gender identity-related health disparities, particula...

Women in relationships that are both same-gender and interracial/interethnic experience unique minority stressors. Intersectionality theory suggests that minority stressors related to marginalization across sexual identity, gender, race, and ethnicity create synergistic experiences of minority stressors. Arguably, these intersectional stressors exp...

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and associated shelter-in-place ordinances passed in the first year of the pandemic rapidly limited access to in-person social interactions, raising concerns of diminishing social support and community cohesion while psychological stressors increased. For LGBTQIA+ people, connectedness to the LGBTQIA...

Introduction Little is known about how neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage influences sexual minority women’s (e.g., lesbian, bisexual) mental health and whether minority stress moderates these associations. We examined the association between neighborhood deprivation and mental health and the potential moderating effects of minority stressors...

Objective: A growing body of literature provides evidence that sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual) are at greater risk of negative mental health and substance use outcomes than are heterosexual women. While minority stress may partially explain these disparities, it does not fully account for them. Therefore, it is necessary to ide...

Background: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people experience high rates of stigma and marginalization that are theorized to exacerbate substance use and psychological distress. However, little research has examined the role of various minority stressors in relation to substance use in TGD populations. Methods: In this sample of 181 TGD ind...

Psychosocial stressors (e.g., minority stressors, trauma exposure) profoundly impact sexual minority women’s (SMW’s) risk of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. However, research has not examined whether there are distinct typologies (i.e., patterns) of psychosocial stressors and whether these vary based on sociodemographic characteristics or are dif...

At a time when anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is on the rise in more than a dozen states across the United States, social work providers and researchers must be acutely aware of the ways in which their practice may unintentionally invalidate the identities of LGBTQ+ youth. Concurrently, language used in the LGBTQ+ youth community to describe both sexual i...

Research on LGBTQ populations has dramatically increased in both Western and non-Western countries over the past several decades. Attempts to synthesize this research have largely focused on studies conducted in the West. We conducted a review of LGBTQ research in China to elucidate trends and gaps in the literature and to provide a foundation for...

This paper presents an adapted version of Bronfenbrenner's social ecological model that is responsive to the unique stressors and contexts experienced by LGBTQIA+ people.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent among sexual minority women (SMW). However, compared to IPV research with heterosexual women and other LGBTQ+ population groups, SMW are understudied. We conducted a scoping review to examine the current state of knowledge about IPV among SMW, and to identify gaps and directions for future research. A se...

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary, and queer people (LGBTQ+) experience significantly higher levels of stressors due to discrimination, stigma, and marginalization than do cisgender heterosexual people. These high levels of stressors have impacts on health and well-being as well as career impacts. Limited research suggests that wit...

Informed by minority stress and intersectionality frameworks, we examined 1) associations of sexual identity and race/ethnicity with probable diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD-PD) among sexual minority women (SMW; e.g. lesbian, bisexual) and 2) potential additive and interactive associations of minority stressors (discrimination, st...

LGBTQIA+ people across the U.S. are being warned by journalists and community members that because Roe v Wade has been overturned, "our rights could be next." But our rights are at risk right now. Cisgender women are more likely than cisgender men to identify as LGBQ (The Williams Institute, 2019). A sizable proportion of transgender and nonbinary...

Objective: In the present study, we sought to identify trajectories of symptoms of potential alcohol dependence (AD) among adult sexual minority women (SMW). Theoretical correlates were examined in relation to the empirically identified trajectories. Method: Data were collected at three time points between 2000 and 2012 from SMW drinkers (n = 43...

Background Researchers in studies from multiple countries suggest that sexual and gender inority people experience high rates of violence, stigma, and discrimination, as well as mistrust of health care providers and systems. Despite growing evidence related to sexual and gender minority health in North America and Europe, we know little about the h...

Intersectionality and minority stress frameworks were used to guide examination and comparisons of psychological distress (depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms) and protective factors (religiosity, spirituality, social support) among 673 Black, Latinx, and White lesbian and bisexual women with and without histories of sexual...

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increases in U.S. residents’ stressors while limiting many of the resources previously available to cope with stress. Coping behaviors may contribute to the prevention or proliferation of psychological distress during and after the pandemic. Understanding these coping behaviors and associated psychological outcomes...

Purpose: The objectives of the current study were to (1) assess associations between household structure (i.e., living with spouse compared to living alone, with children, or with a spouse and children), presence of children, and mental distress in April 2020 and change in mental distress (between April and August 2020); and (2) determine whether t...

Sexual minority stressors (e.g., stigma consciousness, internalized homophobia, discrimination) are posited to contribute to higher prevalence of overeating and binge eating among sexual minority women (SMW) relative to heterosexual women. Few studies have examined psychosocial mediators of the associations of minority stressors with overeating and...

Although findings are mixed, discrimination has been identified as a risk factor for smoking in sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian and bisexual). We examined associations between past-year discrimination and cigarette smoking among SMW. Using regression analyses we examined associations of past-year discrimination including count of types of...

Background: The COVID-19 global pandemic has had profound effects on mental health and wellbeing. The present study examined trends in distress and recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19 in China. Predictors that might increase risks or provide protections again distress were explored. Method: Participants were recruited using social media during...

Physical distancing measures to curb COVID-19 transmission introduced mental health and economic stressors, possibly impacting problematic drinking. This cross-sectional study examines mental health and economic stressors early in the COVID-19 pandemic which may be associated with heavy alcohol use and increased alcohol use. We administered an onli...

Aims To examine changes in drinking behavior among US adults between March 10 and July 21, 2020, a critical period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design Longitudinal, internet-based panel survey. Setting The Understanding America Study (UAS), a nationally-representative panel of US adults aged 18 or older. Participants 4,298 US adults who reporte...

From a systems perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused global changes impacting the lives of individuals at all levels of interactions. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of 18 African American/Black, Hispanic/Latina/Latinx, and White sexual minority women (SMW) to explore experiences and adaptations during the COVID...

Purpose: Research on LGBTQ populations has dramatically increased in both Western and non-Western countries over the past several decades. Attempts to synthesize this research have largely focused on studies conducted in the West. We conducted a review of LGBTQ research in China to elucidate trends and gaps in the literature and to provide a founda...

A growing body of literature provides important insights into the meaning and impact of the right to marry a same-sex partner among sexual minority people. We conducted a scoping review to 1) identify and describe the psychosocial impacts of equal marriage rights among sexual minority adults, and 2) explore sexual minority women (SMW) perceptions o...

IntroductionSexual minority women (SMW) may have different experiences of macro-level events, such as changes in marriage laws or election outcomes, related to their multiple identities. African American, Latina/x, and White identities intersect with gender/sex and sexual identity to influence experiences at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, social...

BACKGROUND Large gaps exist in research on alcohol use and intimate partner aggression (IPA) among sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual). Dyadic research with SMW and their partners can illuminate how couple-level factors operate in conjunction with individual-level factors to shape well-being in this understudied and vulnerable popu...

Background Large gaps exist in research on alcohol use and intimate partner aggression (IPA) among sexual minority women (SMW; eg, lesbian, bisexual). Dyadic research with SMW and their partners can illuminate how couple-level factors operate in conjunction with individual-level factors to shape well-being in this understudied and vulnerable popula...

Background Cross-sectional studies have found that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected population-level mental health. Longitudinal studies are necessary to examine trajectories of change in mental health over time and identify sociodemographic groups at risk for persistent distress. Purpose To examine the traj...

Despite the large amounts of research currently being conducted and the high number of editorials warning about the potential mental health impacts, there is a stunning lack of mental health data on the effects of the pandemic. Yet, the pandemic may have sizable impacts on psychological distress and health behaviors —these effects may be long-lasti...

Little research has investigated coercive tactics in intimate partner violence, and even less has examined coercive tactics among LGBTQIA+ relationships despite their higher rates of intimate partner violence. Abusers may consciously exploit these tactics to ensure dependence and enable continued abuse. To demonstrate this, I use research on abuser...

Purpose: The objectives of the current study were to: (1) assess the impact of household structure (i.e. living alone compared to living with children, a partner, or both) and presence of children on mental distress during the COVID-19 pandemic; and (2) determine whether these associations are moderated by income or sex.Results: A total of 2,524 ad...

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has broader geographic spread and potentially longer lasting effects than those of previous disasters. Necessary preventive precautions for the transmission of COVID-19 has resulted in delays for in-person health care services, especially at the outset of the pandemic. Objective Among a US sample, we examined the ra...

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has broader geographic spread and potentially longer lasting effects than those of previous disasters. Necessary preventive precautions for the transmission of COVID-19 has resulted in delays for in-person health care services, especially at the outset of the pandemic. OBJECTIVE Among a US sample, we examined the r...

Background: Research suggests that marriage is protective against substance use. However, few studies have examined whether this protective effect differs for sexual minorities, a population at increased risk for substance use. Using data from four waves of the cross-sectional U.S. National Alcohol Survey (NAS; 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2015), we inve...

Rationale: Minority sexual identity appears to confer asthma risks. Although associations between inhaled substances and asthma are established, these have not been examined among sexual minority youths. Given sexual minority adolescents' disproportionately high rates of substance use, research is needed to fill this important gap. Objectives: U...

Objectives. To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental distress in US adults. Methods. Participants were 5065 adults from the Understanding America Study, a probability-based Internet panel representative of the US adult population. The main exposure was survey completion date (March 10–16, 2020). The outcome was mental distress measur...

Most individuals in the United States have no history of a mental health condition yet are at risk for psychological distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency and risk and protective factors of psychological distress, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in this group. Data comes from t...

Introduction Exposure to disaster-related media may be a risk factor for mental distress, but this has not been examined in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 pandemic. This study assesses if exposure to social and traditional media during the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with mental distress among U.S. adults. M...

Women are more likely than men to forego care—including preventive care. Understanding which factors influence women’s preventive care use has the potential to improve health. This study focuses on the largely understudied areas of psychological barriers (depression) and neighborhood factors (support and stressors) that may be associated with women...

Sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual) are more likely than heterosexual women to be heavy drinkers, with bisexual women showing the highest risk. There is ample literature demonstrating that intimate relationships protect against stress-related health risk behaviors in the general population. However, very little research has focused...

Until the 1980s, the limited research on alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among sexual minority women (SMW) focused on alcohol and used samples recruited from gay bars, resulting in inflated estimates of hazardous drinking. Over the past several decades the number of AOD studies with SMW has increased dramatically. To characterize this literature,...

This mixed-methods study explored perceptions of the impact of marriage legalization in all U.S. states among sexual minority women and gender diverse individuals. Survey data were collected from a nonprobability sample of individuals 18 years or older who identified as lesbian, bisexual, queer, same-sex attracted, or something other than exclusive...

Intimate relationships provide protections against excess stress. Little research has investigated this in same-sex/gender couples, and particularly interracial/interethnic same-sex/gender couples. In a sample of N = 215 women in same-sex/gender couple relationships, 43% if whom were in interracial/interethnic relationships, we examined differences...

As part of a larger online survey, we conducted an Internet-based study that included both qualitative and quantitative data from a national non-probability sample to examine how sexual minority women and gender non-conforming individuals described their experiences and concerns after the 2016 election. The current study explores responses in relat...

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which sexual identity and/or sexual behaviors were associated with pregnancy risk factors (condom use, alcohol or other drug use before sex, and World Health Organization [WHO] Tier 1 [i.e., intrauterine device, implant] or Tier 2 [i.e., injectable, pill, patch, or ring] contraceptio...

Purpose: To examine the intersection of sexual identity and race/ethnicity on self-reported cardiometabolic risk in sexual minority women (SMW). Methods: Data from the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women study were analyzed. Logistic regression models examined racial/ethnic differences in cardiometabolic risk (including obesity, hypertensi...

Background: Sexual minority women (SMW; such as lesbian, bisexual, and mostly lesbian) exhibit excess cardiometabolic risk, yet factors that contribute to cardiometabolic risk in this population are poorly understood. Trauma exposure has been posited as a contributor to cardiometabolic risk in SMW. Materials and Methods: An analysis of data from W...

Objective To identify barriers to contraceptive use among adolescents in two neighboring semi-rural communities in Nicaragua. Methods We recruited and surveyed a convenience sample of 287 adolescents, ages 15–19 years old, in July and August, 2013 about barriers to contraceptive use. We compared adolescents by gender, sexually active status (sexua...

This study expands the literature on body image among lesbian and bisexual women by examining the relationship between self-perceived gendered personality traits and expressions (i.e., sense of self in relation to cultural constructions of femininity and masculinity) and body satisfaction, a key body image construct. We used data from Wave 3 (2010–...

Although marriage tends to be protective against hazardous drinking among women in the general population, few studies have compared drinking rates, levels, or problems based on relationship status among sexual minority women (SMW; lesbian, bisexual). We examined associations between relationship status (committed relationship/cohabiting; committed...

Mental health inequities among bisexual and lesbian women are well-documented. Compared to heterosexual women, both bisexual and lesbian women are more likely to report lifetime depressive disorders, with bisexual women often faring the worst on mental health outcomes. Risk factors for depression, such as victimization in childhood and adulthood, a...

The extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples in the United States provides an opportunity to examine how legalization of same-sex marriage has impacted the experiences of sexual minority women (SMW) in interactions within their extended social networks and local communities. Interviews were conducted with 20 SMW ranging in age from 23 to 75...

Purpose of review: Alcohol and drug use are common among youth. Rates are especially high among sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender). We conducted a scoping review of research on risk and protective factors for substance use among SGMY published between 2013-2017. Recent findings: Ninety-seven studies met...

Much progress has been made in terms of LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) rights. The 2016 United States presidential election, however, raised concerns that this progress could be slowed, if not reversed. We conducted an internet-based study and gathered both qualitative and quantitative data from a national convenience sample...

The 2016 presidential election and its outcome evoked strong reactions for many people in the United States. Women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, or queer, and individuals who identify as transgender or genderqueer felt at increased risk of experiencing discrimination and minority stress after the election (Veldhuis et al., 2017 Veldhuis, C. B....

Objective: To examine similarities and differences in demographics and key substance use and mental health outcomes in a probability sample of heterosexual women and two samples of sexual minority women (SMW), one recruited using probability and the other using non-probability methods. Methods: Using data from four waves of the National Alcohol...

In general, transgender individuals report experiencing high levels of discrimination and violence, as well as high levels of safety concerns and a need to be vigilant to the safety of their environs. The stress that arises from these high levels of violence and discrimination has sizable effects on mental and physical health. The results of the 20...

Support from family of origin is important to the health and well-being of sexual minority women (SMW) and structural stigma may impact that support. The recent extension of marriage rights to same-sex couples in all U.S. states provided an opportunity to examine whether this change in law would impact the relationship of SMW with their families of...

Purpose: Given that self-perceptions of mental and physical health are important predictors of health outcomes and well-being, particularly among older adults, this study focuses on associations among age, alcohol consumption, and indicators of both self-rated mental health and self-rated physical health in a sample of sexual minority women (SMW)....

Using data from Wave 3 of the Chicago Health and Life Experiences of Women (CHLEW) study (N = 699) we explored whether religiosity and spirituality were associated with risk of hazardous drinking, drug use, and depression among sexual minority women (SMW; lesbian, bisexual) and possible differences by race/ethnicity. Participants were more likely t...

The Investment Model of relationship commitment uses interpersonal investment, relationship satisfaction, quality of alternatives, and commitment to predict relationship longevity (Rusbult, 1980, 1983). Although ample support for the Investment Model has been found in heterosexual couples, it appears to be less powerful in predicting stability in s...

Aims and objectives: To examine unmet needs for mental health and substance use treatment among a diverse sample of sexual minority women (SMW; lesbian, bisexual). Background: Sexual minority women are more likely than heterosexual women to report depression and hazardous drinking. However, relatively little is known about SMW's use of mental he...

Study Objective Previous research has demonstrated the value of endometrial preparation before hysteroscopic procedures. Duration of endometrial preparation prior to hysteroscopic sterilization has not yet been evaluated. The aim of our study is to evaluate the relationship between hormonal endometrial preparation duration and the placement success...

The present study examined contextual and individual predictors of attendance in a 10-session school-based teen smoking cessation program. Participants were 349 students at 29 Illinois high schools. Predictor variables included demographics, smoking history, psychosocial variables, and social environment variables. School-level characteristics of i...