Loyola University Chicago

Department of Psychology

Byron Brooks

Title: Assistant Professor
Office: Coffey Hall 247
Phone: 773.508.2986
Background Information
Postdoctoral Fellowship: University of Chicago
Ph.D.: East Tennessee State University
MA: The Citadel
BA: Clemson University
 
Additional Information
 
Research Interests
My program of research focuses on increasing the understanding of Black queer people to develop culturally responsive interventions that mitigate health inequities and bolster well-being among this community. Specifically, I investigate the identity development process of Black queer folx, the role of identity as a syndemic factor for health outcomes, and positive psychological factors among Black queer people. As such, I use mixed methods research and community-engaged research to support he following areas:

  • Explicate the identity development process for Black queer individuals and how identity influences health among community.
  • Develop strategies to promote flourishing and well-being among Black queer people.
  • Translate the findings from the aforementioned areas to develop culturally responsive interventions to therapeutically bolster adaptively coping with minority stress and increase engagement in health-promoting behaviors among Black queer individuals. Also, to develop interpersonal and community-based interventions that engender greater knowledge, skills, compassion, and positive attitudes toward Black queer folx within social settings where they frequently encounter stigma. 
Selected Publications
 
Brooks, B., Job, S., Kaniuka, A., Kolb, R., Unda Charvel, P., & Araújo, F. (in press). Healthcare discrimination and treatment adherence among sexual and gender minority individuals living with chronic illness: The mediating effects of anticipated discrimination and depressive symptoms. Psychology & Health.   
 
Job, S. A., Kaniuka, A. R., Reeves, K. M., & Brooks, B. (in press). Interactions of sexual orientation and gender identity with race/ethnicity in prevalence of lifetime and current asthma diagnosis. LGBT Health. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2022.0186   
 
Brooks, B. D., Kaniuka, A. R., Motley, D. N., Job, S. A., & Williams, S. L. (2022). "We are just magic": A qualitative examination of self-love among Black same-gender loving men. Cultural diversity & ethnic minority psychology, 28(2), 280–289. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000529 
 
Brooks, B., & Smith, Z. (2022). Participant compensation in health equity research: How equitable is it? Families, Systems, & Health, 40(3), 415-417. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000729   
 
Brooks, B., Kaniuka, A., Job, S., Hodginkson, N., Kelliher Rabon, J., Williams, S., & Hirsch, J. (2022). Anticipated sexual minority stress and mental health after the 2016 presidential election: Examining a psychological mediation framework. Journal of Homosexuality. https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2022.2087481 
 
Cramer, R., Kaniuka, A., Lange, T., Brooks, B., Feinstein, B., & Hilgeman, M. (2022). Sexual and gender minority identity measures in a treatment-seeking military veteran sample: Reliability and associations with mental health. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000627 
 
Kaniuka, A., Job, S., Brooks, B., Guo, Y, & Bowling, J. (2022). Human papillomavirus vaccination initiation and completion among heterosexual minority United States adults, 2013-2017. LGBT Health. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2021.0369 
 
Frederick, E., Mann, A., Brooks, B., & Hirsch, J. (2021). Anticipated to enacted: Structural stigma against sexual and gender minorities following the 2016 presidential election. Sexuality Research and Social Policy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00547-0 
 
Kaniuka, A., Job, S., Brooks, B., Williams, S. (2020). Gratitude and suicidal ideation among sexual minority individuals: Theoretical mechanisms of the protective role of attention to the positive. The Journal of Positive Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2020.1818814  
 
Brooks, B., Job, S., Clark, E., Todd, E., & Williams, S. (2020). Concealment as a moderator between anticipated stigma and psychiatric symptoms. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 24(3), 240- 257. https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2020.1721037  
 
Brown, A., Sang, J., Bukowski, L., Meanley, S., Brooks, B., & Chandler, C. (2019). Discrimination, coping, and depression among Black men who have sex with men. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice, 12(6), 112-134.  https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol12/iss6/9