Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Faculty Member

Trevor Hart Ph.D.

Research Interests

• The identification of risk factors for unprotected intercourse among adolescent and adult populations at high risk for HIV contraction or transmission, especially gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men
• Examining the relation between physical health and psychological outcomes among people living with HIV
• Testing of behavioural interventions for people at high risk for HIV and people living with HIV that a) promote sexual health and life expectancy and b) reduce HIV and other sexual risk outcomes

Primary Teaching Responsibilities

• PS 605 Psychology of Health and Health Care (Ryerson University)
• CHL 5804 Behaviour Change

Professional Summary & Appointments

• Full Professor in the Department of Psychology at Ryerson University
• Full Professor (status-only) in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto

Honours & Awards

Ontario HIV Treatment Network Endgame Leader Chair Award 2019-2022
Awarded for program of research on “Integrating Mental Health Into the HIV Prevention and Care Cascade for Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men (GBMSM)” and for excellence, rigor and relevant research that addresses OHTN priorities and communities.
Award amount per year: $75,000. Total amount: $225,000.

2019 CAHR – CANFAR Excellence in Research Award in the Social Sciences track 2019
The Excellence in Research Awards program is intended to highlight and celebrate the contributions of Canadian researchers in HIV/AIDS research in Canada and internationally.

Ryerson University Sarwan Sahota Ryerson Distinguished Scholar Award 2019
The Sarwan Sahota Ryerson Distinguished Scholar Award is presented annually to one or more faculty members who have made an outstanding contribution to knowledge or artistic creativity in their area(s) of expertise while employed at Ryerson.

College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists of the Royal Society of Canada 2016

Ryerson University Social Innovation and Action Research Award 2016
Awarded for a completed rigorous research project focused on advancing social goals. Award amount: $2,000.

Fellow, Canadian Association of Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CACBT) 2016

Fellow, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) 2015
Awarded for significant and sustained contributions to the science and practice of cognitive and behavioural therapies.

Ryerson University Faculty of Arts Dean’s Excellence Award for Research Impact 2015
Awarded for research quality and productivity over the past year.

Ontario HIV Treatment Network Applied HIV Research Chair Award 2014-2019
Awarded for program of research on “HIV Prevention for Gay and Bisexual Men” and for excellence, rigor and relevant research that addresses OHTN priorities and communities. Award amount per year: $150,000. Total amount: $750,000.

Ryerson University Scholarly, Research, and Creative Activity Award 2013-2014
Awarded for research productivity and accomplishment. Award amount: $2,000.

Fellow, Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) 2013
Awarded for distinguished contributions to the advancement of the discipline of psychology and for exceptional service to provincial and national associations.

Ontario HIV Treatment Network Career Scientist Award 2011-2016
Awarded for program of research on “HIV prevention with men who have sex with men” and for reputation for excellence in HIV research and a strong record of publication and success in obtaining competitive gratn funidng.
Award amount per year $72,000. Total amount: $360,000.

Ryerson University Scholarly, Research, and Creative Activity Award 2010
Awarded for research productivity and accomplishment for the 2009-2010 year
Award amount: $2000

Current Research Projects

Engage Cohort Study – This study is Canadian collaboration between researchers and community-based organizations on HIV and sexual health among gay, bi, and queer men, including trans men, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) in Canada. Its three primary aims are to provide research evidence to inform HIV and STI prevention initiatives for Canadian GBM, build capacity for a pan-Canadian network on HIV and sexual health research for GBM, and integrate community engagement into all stages of the project to enhance community-researcher collaboration and bidirectional knowledge exchange.

The main components of the Engage Cohort Study include:

1. A multi-site longitudinal study in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal.
2. A quantitative and biomedical component that measures prevalent and recent infections of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among GBM populations of these major Canadian cities. This will allow researchers to assess variations across regions over time and conduct detailed analyses linking prevention efforts to health outcomes.
3. A qualitative component that delves more deeply into the issues that impact the sexual and mental health of Canadian GBM (e.g., Canadian blood donation policies, access to mental health services, the COVID-19 pandemic)
4. Community Engagement: Each study city (Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal) will have an actively involved community engagement committee whose function is to galvanize interest and participation in research among communities of GBM.

The Engage Cohort Study is funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN), The Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN), and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research (CANFAR).

Find out more at engage-men.ca!

Sexual Confidence – RCT – This study tests the efficacy of a novel integrated HIV prevention intervention that combines the most empirically supported treatment for social anxiety disorder, cognitive-behavioural therapy, with HIV risk reduction counselling in order to simultaneously treat social anxiety disorder, substance use disorders, and HIV sexual risk behaviour. This study is a randomized controlled trial comparing the study intervention relative to applied relaxation. For this trial, 176 participants will be randomized to either 12 sessions of cognitive-behavioural therapy with HIV risk reduction counselling or 12 sessions of applied relaxation. Under the supervision of Dr. Hart, the HIV Prevention Lab’s graduate students conduct assessments and provide counselling for the study participants.

Dr. Hart is the Principal Investigator on this study. This study is supported by an Operating Grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, with support from the CIHR Canadian HIV Trials Network.

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04381559

Previous Studies

• 2017-2019 – Development of a Trauma Informed Intervention to Support Adaptive Engagement in Care Among MSM Living with HIV: Project THRIVE +
• 2012-2018 – A Small Group Intervention to Reduce HIV Sexual Transmission Risk Behaviour Among HIV-positive Men Who Have Sex With Men: Gay Positive Sex (GPS)
• 2011-2015 – Protective Factors Against HIV Risk Behaviour Among Gay and Bisexual Men: A Longitudinal Study
• 2010-2012 – Development of an HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Intervention for Positive Men
• 2013-2015 – HIV Prevention for Gay and Bisexual Men via Reduction of Social Anxiety and Substance Use in Sexual Situations
• 2011-2013 – HIV Prevention among Young Gay and Bisexual Men
• 2008-2009 – Experimental Induction and Modification of Problematic Mental Imagery: Impact on Cognitive Processing, Sympathetic Activation, and Worry
• 2008-2009 – A Model of Sexual Risk and Injury Risk Behaviours Among Incarcerated Youth
• 2008- Eating Disorders and Body Dissatisfaction among Canadian Gay and Bisexual Men
• 2008-2009 – HIV knowledge and risk among young adults in Pune, India
• 2005-2009 – Social Anxiety as a Risk Factor for HIV Transmission Risk Behaviour Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Mechanisms of Action
• 2008-2009 – Development of an HIV Prevention and Sexual Health Intervention for Positive Men
• 2007-2008 – Evaluation of a HIV Prevention Video Intervention for South Asians
• 2006-2008 – HIV+ Women’s Research Needs Study
• 2005-2008 – Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) Beliefs Study
• 2004-2009 – HIV Testing Study

Representative Publications

• Hart, T. A., Noor, S., Skakoon-Sparling, S., Lazkani, S., Gardner, S., & Leahy, B. et al. (2020). GPS: A randomized controlled trial of sexual health counseling for gay and bisexual men living with HIV. Behavior Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2020.04.005
• Noor, S. W., Sutherland, J., Vernon, J. R. G., Adam, B. D., Brennan, D. J., & Hart, T. A. (2020). Measuring adverse childhood experiences: comparing individual, composite, score-based, and latent profile-based scoring schemas among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. Archives of Sexual Behavior. https://org/10.1016/j.bet.2019.09.001
• Zheng, L., Hart, T. A., Noor, S. W., & Wen, G. (2020). Stressors based on sexual orientation and mental health among lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in China: Minority stress and perceived pressure to get married. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 49(5), 1769-1782. https://org/10.1007/s10508-020-01693-z
• Hart T. A., Noor S. W., Vernon J., Antony M. M., Gardner S., O’Cleirigh C. (2019). Integrated cognitive-behavioral therapy for social anxiety and HIV/STI prevention for gay and bisexual men: A pilot intervention trial. Behavior Therapy, 51(3), 503-517. https://org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.09.001
• Fairbrother, N., Hart, T. A., & Fairbrother, M. (2019). Open relationship prevalence, characteristics, and correlates in a nationally representative sample of Canadian adults. The Journal of Sex Research, 56(6), 695-704. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2019.1580667
• Adam, B., Hart, T. A., Mohr, J., Coleman, T., & Vernon, J. (2018). Resilience pathways, childhood escape routes, and mentors reported by gay and bisexual men affected by syndemic conditions. Sexualities, 22(4), 622-642. https://doi.org/10.1177/1363460718758663
• Hart, T. A., Noor, S., Tulloch, T., Sivagnanasunderam, B., Vernon, J., & Pantalone, D. et al. (2018). The gender nonconformity teasing scale for gay and bisexual men. Psychology of Men & Masculinity, 20(3), 445-457.https://org/10.1037/men0000179
• Hart, T. A., Noor, S. W., Vernon, J. R. G., Kidwai, A., Roberts, K., Myers, T., & Calzavara, L.
  (2018). Childhood maltreatment, bullying victimization, and psychological distress
  among gay and bisexual men. Journal of Sex Research, 55(4-5), 604-616.
  https://org/10.1080/00224499.2017.1401972
• Wagner, A., Girard, T., McShane, K., Margolese, S., & Hart, T. A. (2017). HIV-related stigma and overlapping stigmas towards people living with HIV among health care trainees in Canada. AIDS Education and Prevention, 29(4), 364-376. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2017.29.4.364
• Noor, S. W., Adam, B., Brennan, D., Moskowitz, D., Gardner, S., & Hart, T. A. (2017). Scenes as micro-cultures: Examining heterogeneity of HIV risk behavior among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Toronto, Canada. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 47(1), 309-321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-017-0948-y
• Hart, T. A., Noor, S. W., Adam, B. D., Vernon, J. R. G., Brennan, D. J., Gardner, S., … Myers, T. (2017). Number of psychosocial strengths predicts reduced HIV sexual risk behaviors above and beyond syndemic problems among gay and bisexual men. AIDS and Behavior, 21(10), 3035-3046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1669-2
• Adam, B. D., Hart, T. A., Mohr, J., Coleman, T., & Vernon, J. R. G. (2017). HIV-related
  syndemic pathways and risk subjectivities among gay and bisexual men. Culture, Health and Sexuality, 19(11), 1254-1267. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691058.2017.1309461
• Smith, N. G., Hart, T. A., Kidwai, A., Vernon, J., Blais, M., & Adam, B. (2017). Results of a
  pilot study to ameliorate psychological and behavioral outcomes of minority stress among young gay and bisexual men. Behavior Therapy, 48(5), 664-677. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2017.03.005
• Hart, T. A., Willis, A. C., Simpson, S. H., Julien, R. E., Hoe, D., Leahy, B.et al. (2016). Gay Poz Sex: A sexual health promotion intervention for HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 23(4), 517-529. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2015.11.002
• Smith, N. G., Hart, T. A., Moody, C., Willis, A. C., Faaborg-Andersen, M., Blais, M., & Adam, B. (2016). A cognitive-behavioral group intervention to reduce HIV risk behaviors among HIV-negative young gay and bisexual men. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 23(3), 398-411. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2015.08.006
• Schwartz, D. R., Stratton, N., & Hart, T. A. (2016). Minority stress and mental and sexual health: Examining the Psychological Mediation Framework among gay and bisexual men. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 3(3), 313-324. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000180
• Hart, T. A., Stratton, N., Coleman, T. A., Wilson, H. A., Simpson, S. H., Julien, R. E. et al. (2016). A pilot trial of a sexual health counseling intervention for HIV-positive gay and bisexual men who report anal sex without condoms. PLoS ONE 11(4): e0152762. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0152762
• Aljassem, K., Raboud, J. M., Hart, T. A., Benoit, A., Deshung, S., Margolese, S. L. et al. (2016). Gender differences in severity and correlates of depression symptoms in people living with HIV in Ontario, Canada. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, 15(1), 25-35. https://doi.org/10.1177/2325957414536228
• Tulloch, T. G., Rotondi, N. K., Ing, S., Myers, T., Calzavara, L. M., Loutfy, M. R., & Hart, T. A. (2015). Retrospective reports of developmental stressors, syndemics, and their association with sexual risk outcomes among gay men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(7), 1861-1867. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0479-3
• Zheng, L., Hart, T. A., & Zheng, Y. (2015). Top/bottom sexual self-labels and empathizing-systemizing cognitive styles among gay men in China. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(5), 1431-1438. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0475-z
• Hart, T. A., Mustanski, B., Ryan, D. T., Gorbach, P. M., Stall, R. D., Surkan, P. J., & Plankey, M. (2015). Depression and sexual dysfunction among HIV-positive and HIV-negative men who have sex with men: Mediation by use of antidepressants and recreational stimulants. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 44(2), 399-409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-014-0279-1
• Wagner, A. C., Hart, T. A., McShane, K., Margolese, S., & Girard, T. (2014). Health care provider attitudes and beliefs about people living with HIV – Initial validation of the health care provider HIV/AIDS stigma scale (HPASS). AIDS and Behavior, 18(12), 2397-2408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0834-8
• Hart, T. A., Tulloch, T. G., & O’Cleirigh, C. (2014). Integrated cognitive behavioral therapy for social anxiety and HIV prevention for gay and bisexual men. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 21(2), 149-160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2013.07.001
• Day, D. M., Hart, T. A., Wanklyn, S. G., McCay, E., Macpherson A., & Burnier, N. (2013). Potential mediators between child abuse and both violence and victimization in juvenile offenders. Psychological Services, 10(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028057
• Millett, G. A, Peterson, J. L., Flores, S. A., Hart, T. A., Jeffries, W. L., Wilson, P. A., . . . & Remis, R. R. (2012). Disparities without borders: A meta-analysis of individual-, network-, and structural-level correlates of HIV transmission among Canadian, British and U.S. black men who have sex with men. Lancet, 380, 341-348. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60899-X
• Hart, T. A. (2012). International collaborations and multidisciplinary approaches in high quality behavioral medicine research: A comment on O’Leary et al. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. doi: 10.1007/s12160-012-9391-4
• Zhang, Y., Margolese, S., Yudin, M. H., Raboud, J., Diong, C., Hart, T. A., . . . & Loutfy, M.R. (2012). Desires, need, perceptions, and knowledge of assisted reproductive technologies of HIV-positive women of reproductive age in Ontario, Canada. ISRN Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2012, doi:10.5402/2012/853503
• James, C. A., Schwartz, D. R., Roberts, K. E., Hart, T. A., Loutfy, M. R., Myers, T., & Calzavara, L. (in press). Childhood emotional abuse and psychological distress in gay and bisexual men. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma.
• Day, D. M., Hart, T. A., Wanklyn, S. G., McCay, E., Macpherson A., & Burnier, N. (in press). Potential mediators between child abuse and both violence and victimization in juvenile offenders. Psychological Services.
• Hart, T. A., Moskowitz, D., Cox, C., Li, X., Ostrow, D. G., Stall, R. D., Gorbach, P. M., & Plankey, M. (2012). The cumulative effects of medication use, drug use, and smoking on erectile dysfunction among men who have sex with men. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 1. , 9, 1106-1113. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02648.x
• Ivanova, E., Hart, T. A., Wagner, A. C., Aljassem, K., & Loutfy, M. R. (in press). Correlates of anxiety in women living with HIV of reproductive age. AIDS and Behavior. doi 10.1007/s10461-011-0133-6
• Loutfy, M. R., Raboud, J. M., Wong, J., Yudin, M. H., Diong, C., Blitz, S. L., Margolese, S. L., Hart, T. A., Ogilvie, G., Masinde, K., Tharao, W. E., Linklater, G., Salam, K., Ongoiba, F., Angel, J. B., Smaill, F. M., Rachlis, A. R., Ralph, E. D., & Walmsley, S. L., for the Ontario HIV Fertility Research Team (2012). High prevalence of unintended pregnancies in HIV-positive women of reproductive age in Ontario, Canada: A retrospective study. HIV Medicine, 13, 107-117. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2011.00946.x
• Gibson, K., Rueda, S., Rourke, S. B., Bekele, T., Gardner, S., Fenta, H., & Hart, T. A. (2011). Mastery and coping moderate the negative effect of acute and chronic stressors on mental health-related quality of life in HIV. AIDS Patient Care and STDs, 25, 371-381
• Calzavara, L. M., Burchell, A. N., Lebovic, G., Myers, T., Remis, R. S., Raboud, J., Corey, P., Swantee, C., & Hart, T. A. (2011). The impact of stressful life events on unprotected anal sex among gay and bisexual men. AIDS and Behavior. doi: 10.1007/s10461-010-9879-5
• Brennan, D., Crath, R., Hart, T. A., Gadalla, T., & Gillis, L. (2011). Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating among men who have sex with men in Canada. International Journal of Men’s Health, 10, 253-268. doi: 10.3149/jmh.1003.253
• Zheng, L., Hart, T. A., Zheng, Y. (2011). The relationship between intercourse preference positions and personality traits among gay men in China. Archives of Sexual Behavior. doi: 10.1007/s10508-011-9819-0.
• Noh, M. S., Rueda, S., Bekele, T., Fenta, H., Gardner, S., Hamilton, H., Hart, T. A., Li, A., Noh, S., & Rourke, S. B. (2011). Depressive symptoms, stress and resources among adult immigrants living with HIV. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. doi: 10.1007/s10903-011-9515-0.
• Roberts, K. E., Hart, T. A., Coroiu, A., & Heimberg, R. G. (2011). Gender role traits among individuals with social anxiety disorder. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 952-957. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.07.030
• Claes, L., Hart, T. A., Smits, D., Van den Eynde, F., Müller, A., & Mitchell, J. (2011). Validation of the Social Appearance Anxiety Scale in female eating disorder patients. European Eating Disorders Review. doi: 10.1002/erv.1147
• James, C. A., Hart, T. A., Roberts, K. E., Ghai, A., Petrovic, B., & Lima, M. (2011). Religion versus ethnicity as predictors of unprotected vaginal intercourse among young adults. Sexual Health, 8, 363-371.
• Moskowitz, D. A., & Hart, T. A. (2011). The influence of physical body traits and masculinity on anal sex roles in gay and bisexual men. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 40, 835-841.