Dr. Eric Layland is an assistant professor at the University of Delaware in Human Development and Family Sciences where he bridges LGBTQ+ developmental research to community impact through developmentally-informed, affirmative interventions. His research areas include LGBTQ+ within-group differences in mental health and unhealthy substance use, the impact of stigma on LGBTQ+ development, strengths-based approaches to LGBTQ+ health, and LGBTQ+ affirmative interventions. Across all areas of research, Dr. Layland uses advanced and innovative analytical methods to reflect intersecting systems of oppression that shape LGBTQ development across the life course.
 
Through community partnerships and funding support from the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Layland has led and collaborated on several intervention evaluations including investigation of underage drinking prevention among college students (LateNight Penn State), school-based substance use and HIV prevention among adolescents (HealthWise South Africa), and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy for adolescents and young adults (EQuIP). He continues to collaborate with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles on the NIDA-funded Healthy Young Men’s Cohort study to model the impact of intersecting stigma on health disparities and development of Black and Latinx sexual minority young men. 

Current project objectives:
  1. Healthy Young Men's Cohort Study & The Trans Youth Study: longitudinal cohorts of Black and Latinx sexual minority young men, trans young men and women, and non-binary young adults. Published studies 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
  2. Intervention & Prevention: Evaluating community and clinical interventions on substance use, sexual behavior, and mental health. Published studies: 1, 2, 3, 4
  3. Quant Approaches to Intersectional Health Research: Building from existing data sets to bring quantitative methods in line with intersectional theory and test link between intersecting stigma and health. Published studies: 1, 2, 3

Education and training:
Dr. Layland completed a post-doctoral fellowship in the Yale AIDS Prevention Training (Y-APT) Program through the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA). He worked with Dr. John Pachankis in the LGBTQ Mental Health Initiative to evaluate mental health intervention effectiveness and investigate the impact of stigma on sexual minority developmental processes. medicine.yale.edu/lgbtqmentalhealth/

During his doctoral training (PhD, August '20), Dr. Layland completed a pre-doctoral fellowship through Penn State's NIDA funded (T32) Prevention and Methodology Training (PAMT). This program facilitated training in and experience using advanced quantitative methods for modeling developmental data and behavioral prevention. 

Recent Updates:

8/22 New paper providing experimental evidence that using stigmatized language (e.g., "homosexual(s)") versus affirming language (e.g., "gay," "lesbian") can cue gay and lesbian folks to lack of cultural competence. Read in Journal of Social and Political Psychology.

8/22 Started new role as Assistant Professor at the University of Delaware!

7/22 New paper showing evidence that mental health providers can be trained to improve LGBTQ-affirmative cultural competencies and therapeutic skills. Read in Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology

6/22 Combined implementation strategies of enhanced school AND teacher support improved student substance use behavior change in school-based intervention. Read more in Prevention Science. 
ERIC LAYLAND, PhD
Assistant Professor
Human Development & Family Sciences
University of Delaware