iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Eric Layland, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @ericlayland.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Representing @udelaware.bsky.social at the Society for Adolescent Research. August Wei shares new research from the Queer Joy Project on self-affirmation as a positive developmental process for transgender youth.

Eric Layland and August Wei standing in front of August’s poster on self-affirmation as a positive developmental process for trans and nonbinary youth.

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Eric Layland, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @ericlayland.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

In Delaware, as many as 25% of adolescents may identify as LGBTQ+. In the 2022-24 DE School Survey, mental health symptoms and underage substance use levels were alamring for all youth, and all outcomes were worse for LGBTQ+ youth. Access our new article: djph.org/wp-content/u...

An image of the cover of the Delaware Journal of Public Health with a multicolor background displaying the LGBTQ+ Health special issue.

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Eric Layland, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @ericlayland.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Today in a college Zoom meeting attended by 95 of my colleagues, my cat jumped onto my laptop and unmuted me, then jumped onto a small collection of potted plants, shattering them, and I groaned/yelped while OFF MUTE. So let’s add that to my list of current work stressors.

Photo of the naughty but beautiful cat who committed the crimes.

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Eric Layland, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @ericlayland.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

How do LGBTQIA+ youth learn what it means to be LGBTQIA+? Who are the key players in this process? Chosen family play a BIG role, and origin family contribute but much less. LGBTQIA+ socialization may be another way we can support youth. Here's a preview from presentation at @ncfr.bsky.social

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Eric Layland, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @ericlayland.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Attending @ncfr.bsky.social annual conference for the first time this week! Excited to be presenting on the ways family of origin and chosen family positively socialize gender an sexuality for LGBTQ people during formative years. Check out UD HDFS faculty presentations: tinyurl.com/ye23p3wf

Flier for University fo Delaware Faculty presentations at the National Council on Family Relations Conference. Ann Aviles and Mellissa Gordon presenting "Factors influencing the psychological wellbeing of street-identified Black youth and adults: a hierarchical mmodeling approach", Eric Layland presenting "The Who and How of LGBTQIA+ socialization: Queering conceptual understanding of family socialization by including chosen family and family of origin," and Myae Han and Jian Yao Kwan presenting "Examining the Relationship between single-mother social supports and young children's social-emotional outcomes."

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Eric Layland, PhD 🏳️‍🌈 @ericlayland.bsky.social · 02/10/2023

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the US version of the Queer Joy Survey! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ This study is all about positives and strengths of being queer, in an effort to make space for narratives of empowerment, resistance, and joy. Please share! Take the survey at: udel . edu / 0010860

Advertisement for the US Queer Joy Study with image of young queer people smiling. Text says, “Do you identify as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community? We want to hear about your positive experiences related to being LGBTQIA+! Live in the US? Age 16 years or older? Take the 30-minute survey and be entered to win a $40 gift card! Questions: 302-899-8118 queerdevelopment@gmail.com.”

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