The present 2 studies describe the development and initial psychometric evaluation of a new instrument, the Measure of Atheist Discrimination Experiences (MADE), which may be used to examine the minority stress experiences of atheist people. Items were created from prior literature, revised by a panel of expert researchers, and assessed psychometrically. In Study 1 (N = 1,341 atheist-identified people), an exploratory factor analysis with 665 participants suggested the presence of 5 related dimensions of perceived discrimination. However, bifactor modeling via confirmatory factor analysis and model-based reliability estimates with data from the remaining 676 participants affirmed the presence of a strong "general" factor of discrimination and mixed to poor support for substantive subdimensions. In Study 2 (N = 1,057 atheist-identified people), another confirmatory factor analysis and model-based reliability estimates strongly supported the bifactor model from Study 1 (i.e., 1 strong "general" discrimination factor) and poor support for subdimensions. Across both studies, the MADE general factor score demonstrated evidence of good reliability (i.e., Cronbach's alphas of .94 and .95; omega hierarchical coefficients of .90 and .92), convergent validity (i.e., with stigma consciousness, β = .56; with awareness of public devaluation, β = .37), and preliminary evidence for concurrent validity (i.e., with loneliness β = .18; with psychological distress β = .27). Reliability and validity evidence for the MADE subscale scores was not sufficient to warrant future use of the subscales. Limitations and implications for future research and clinical work with atheist individuals are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Using minority stress theory with a sample of 522 atheist people from the United States, the present study examined the associations of discrimination, proximal minority stressors (stigma consciousness, internalized antiatheism, outness as atheist), and atheist group involvement with psychological distress and self-esteem. Atheist group involvement was associated positively with outness and self-esteem, and negatively with discrimination. Structural equation modeling indicated that discrimination and stigma consciousness yielded significant positive direct relations with distress, whereas outness yielded a significant negative direct relation with distress. Relatedly, discrimination yielded a significant negative direct relation with self-esteem and outness yielded a significant positive direct relation with self-esteem. There was a significant positive unique indirect relation of antiatheist discrimination with distress via the mediating role of stigma consciousness, but no other proximal variables. Multigroup invariance testing of this model did not yield evidence that the pattern of relations of the minority stressors with mental health outcomes differed significantly between participants who were and who were not involved in an atheist group. Implications of these findings for research, practice, and advocacy are discussed. Public Significance StatementAtheist people in the United States experience marginalization that can take the form of discrimination and/or stigma because of their religious nonbelief. These negative experiences may contribute to poorer mental health outcomes (i.e., increased distress; lower self-esteem). Being involved in a community of other atheist people may be associated with some benefits, such as higher self-esteem.

This study provides a content analysis of peer-reviewed journal articles about consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) from a social scientific lens published from 1926 through 2016, excluding articles specific to polygamy or other faith-based relational practices. The content analysis yielded 116 articles, with most of the articles being nonempirical research (n ϭ 74) rather than empirical studies (n ϭ 42). Although the number of published articles about CNM has increased significantly in recent decades (n ϭ 26 from 1926 to 2000 compared with n ϭ 90 from 2001 to 2016), the topics discussed in CNM literature were narrow in scope and focused on (a) relationship styles, (b) CNM stigma, and/or (c) LGBTQ issues. Content analysis data showed that the vast majority of articles were published in journals about sexuality, suggesting that CNM remains an underexamined topic in psychological science. Additionally, only a handful of the total articles centered on topics related to family concerns (n ϭ 5) or training and counseling (n ϭ 2). Findings from this content analysis suggest that individuals and families who practice CNM are an underserved and understudied group that would benefit from advancements in psychological scholarship specific to their experiences.

Evidence-based methods of screening for and intervening with substance use are necessary to improve mental health treatment for the millions of individuals who use substances, yet practitioners rarely received training in these methods. Screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is an evidence-based practice that provides practitioners with a set of skills and standard method for screening and providing early intervention for risky substance use. The present study implemented and evaluated a 2-part SBIRT training program for 87 students in mental health counseling, clinical, counseling, and school psychology graduate programs at 1 institution. We evaluated students' satisfaction with the training as well as the impact of the training on students' knowledge of motivational interviewing (MI) and SBIRT and self-efficacy to implement SBIRT. We also evaluated whether completion of a booster training would increase knowledge, self-efficacy, and clinical practices beyond gains observed from the initial training. A pre-, post-, and 30-day follow-up repeated-measures design was used to assess changes in MI and SBIRT knowledge, SBIRT self-efficacy, and use of SBIRT skills. Results suggest that a 2-part SBIRT training program delivered to counselors in training can increase their knowledge of MI and SBIRT as well as their self-efficacy to deliver SBIRT. The overwhelming majority of students were satisfied with the training and found it to be relevant and useful. In response to calls for training mental health professionals to work with substance-using clients, results indicate the SBIRT training model can advance this effort. Public Significance StatementMost people in need of substance use treatment in the United States do not receive it. Screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment is an effective method for identifying and providing early intervention to those with substance use disorders. Findings from this study indicate that a face-toface and online booster training increase health service psychology trainees' screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment knowledge, self-efficacy, and use of the skills in practice.

The present study examines how meaning and belief in God or god(s) is related to bereavement outcomes. Data from 299 participants residing in the United States indicated that the variables of search for meaning, presence of meaning, and belief in God or god(s) were significantly related to posttraumatic growth, complicated grief, and psychological distress. Results from this study can be used to identify appropriate clinical strategies for mental health practitioners working with bereaved clients and will expand the breadth of literature on bereavement with atheist populations in the United States.