Black U.S. Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 173-185
Author(s):  
Jonathan Mathias Lassiter ◽  
Lourdes Dolores Follins ◽  
Stacy W. Smallwood ◽  
Leo Wilton ◽  
Alishia Alexander ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Structural Level ◽  
Transgender People ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Individual

This chapter provides a comprehensive and nuanced review and critique of the extant scholarship related to Black sexual and gender minority (SGM) mental health in the United States. The authors highlight the determinants of mental health, the prevalence of mental health problems and inequities, and protective and resilience factors related to Black SGM mental health within five different subgroups: transgender people, intersex people, bisexual people, lesbians, and gay/same-gender-loving men. An intersectional approach is used to draw attention to how racial, gender, socioeconomic, and sexual orientation identities at the individual level influence experiences of oppression at the structural level to synergistically impact mental health. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the gaps in the literature related to Black SGM mental health and recommendations for addressing them.

Sexual and gender minority populations and suicidal behaviours

2021 ◽  
pp. 353-360
Author(s):  
Helen Keeley ◽  
Fiachra Ó Súilleabháin ◽  
Máire Leane
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minority Populations ◽  
Sexual Diversity ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Gender Status ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Despite the sociolegal changes that have signalled greater acceptance of sexual diversity and gender expansive identities in the twenty-first century, worldwide studies highlight the increased risk of mental health problems and suicidality for those with a sexual and/or gender minority status. This chapter discusses this increased risk of suicidality among sexual and gender minority populations across the life course. A recurring theme is that those who are less sure of their status, are most at risk. Therefore, the capacity of an individual to overcome internalized minority stress, stigma, guilt, and shame, and to reconcile, even take pride, in their sexual/gender status, is a significant issue. While sociolegal, cultural, and familial norms may seem beyond the remit of mental health professionals, affirmative and inclusive actions can be taken to support questioning youth, unsure adults, and distrustful older people, and to help improve the resilience and well-being of their LGBTQ+ service-users.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health

2020 ◽  
pp. 198-207
Author(s):  
Emily Hunt ◽  
Cindy Y. Huang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Cultural Values ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Pacific Islander ◽  
The United States ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Psychological research on sexual and gender minority (SGM) people of color has grown in recent years; however, little is still understood about the experiences of Asian American and Pacific Islander SGMs. The purpose of this chapter is to synthesize the current research that examines the intersections of the racial identity of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, SGM identity, and the mental health of Asian American and Pacific Islander SGMs. Historical contexts of attitudes toward SGMs in Asian and Pacific Island countries as well as in the United States are provided to contextualize the specific sociocultural issues faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander SGMs in the United States. The authors also discuss the role of specific Asian American and Pacific Islander cultural values such as gender norms, family values, and loss of face in the development and expression of SGM identity. This chapter also examines the unique mental health risks faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander SGMs through the lens of double minority stress. The authors conclude with recommendations for directions of future research.

Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health among Children and Youth

2020 ◽  
pp. 228-243
Author(s):  
Jessica N. Fish ◽  
Laura Baams ◽  
Jenifer K. McGuire
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Mental Health Treatment ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Youth Mental Health ◽  
Children And Youth ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
The World ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) young people are coming of age at a time of dynamic social and political changes with regard to LGBTQ rights and visibility around the world. And yet, contemporary cohorts of SGM youth continue to evidence the same degree of compromised mental health demonstrated by SGM youth of past decades. The authors review the current research on SGM youth mental health, with careful attention to the developmental and contextual characteristics that complicate, support, and thwart mental health for SGM young people. Given a large and rapidly growing body of science in this area, the authors strategically review research that reflects the prevalence of these issues in countries around the world but also concentrate on how mental health concerns among SGM children and youth are shaped by experiences with schools, families, and communities. Promising mental health treatment strategies for this population are reviewed. The chapter ends with a focus on understudied areas in the SGM youth mental health literature, which may offer promising solutions to combat SGM population health disparities and promote mental health among SGM young people during adolescence and as they age across the life course.

Introduction

2020 ◽  
pp. xvi-8
Author(s):  
Esther D. Rothblum
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Social Work ◽  
Psychiatric Nursing ◽  
Health Programs ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Mental Health ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Mental Health Programs

The Oxford Handbook of Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health provides an overview of the current research on the mental health of sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations. It is aimed at researchers conducting studies on the mental health of SGM populations, clinicians and researchers interested in psychiatric disorders that affect SGM populations, clinicians using evidence-based practice in the treatment of SGM patients/clients, students in mental health programs (clinical psychology, psychiatry, clinical social work, and psychiatric nursing), and policymakers. This chapter defines some terms and provides an overview of current and past SGM research methods.

scholarly journals Mental Health Challenges and Needs among Sexual and Gender Minority People in Western Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1311
Author(s):  
Gary W. Harper ◽  
Jessica Crawford ◽  
Katherine Lewis ◽  
Caroline Rucah Mwochi ◽  
Gabriel Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Ptsd Symptoms ◽  
Western Kenya ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
And Gender

Background: Sexual and gender minority (SGM) people in Kenya face pervasive socio-cultural and structural discrimination. Persistent stress stemming from anti-SGM stigma and prejudice may place SGM individuals at increased risk for negative mental health outcomes. This study explored experiences with violence (intimate partner violence and SGM-based violence), mental health outcomes (psychological distress, PTSD symptoms, and depressive symptoms), alcohol and other substance use, and prioritization of community needs among SGM adults in Western Kenya. Methods: This study was conducted by members of a collaborative research partnership between a U.S. academic institution and a Kenyan LGBTQ civil society organization (CSO). A convenience sample of 527 SGM adults (92.7% ages 18–34) was recruited from community venues to complete a cross-sectional survey either on paper or through an online secure platform. Results: For comparative analytic purposes, three sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) groups were created: (1) cisgender sexual minority women (SMW; 24.9%), (2) cisgender sexual minority men (SMM; 63.8%), and (3) gender minority individuals (GMI; 11.4%). Overall, 11.7% of participants reported clinically significant levels of psychological distress, 53.2% reported clinically significant levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and 26.1% reported clinically significant levels of depressive symptoms. No statistically significant differences in clinical levels of these mental health concerns were detected across SOGI groups. Overall, 76.2% of participants reported ever using alcohol, 45.6% home brew, 43.5% tobacco, 39.1% marijuana, and 27.7% miraa or khat. Statistically significant SOGI group differences on potentially problematic substance use revealed that GMI participants were less likely to use alcohol and tobacco daily; and SMM participants were more likely to use marijuana daily. Lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) was reported by 42.5% of participants, and lifetime SGM-based violence (SGMV) was reported by 43.4%. GMI participants were more likely than other SOGI groups to have experienced both IPV and SGMV. Participants who experienced SGMV had significantly higher rates of clinically significant depressive and PTSD symptoms. Conclusions: Despite current resilience demonstrated by SGM adults in Kenya, there is an urgent need to develop and deliver culturally appropriate mental health services for this population. Given the pervasiveness of anti-SGM violence, services should be provided using trauma-informed principles, and be sensitive to the lived experiences of SGM adults in Kenya. Community and policy levels interventions are needed to decrease SGM-based stigma and violence, increase SGM visibility and acceptance, and create safe and affirming venues for mental health care. Political prioritization of SGM mental health is needed for sustainable change.

Parental Nativity and Familial Acceptance of Sexual and Gender Minority Latinx Youth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Simons ◽  
Tatiana Pineiro ◽  
Matthew Gallo
Keyword(s):  
Coming Out ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Latino Youth ◽  
The United States ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Latino Family ◽  
Family Acceptance ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Accepting and sharing about oneself as a sexual and gender minority (SGM) individual is complex. This is even more complex for individuals who identify as both SGM and Latino because they possess more than one minoritized identity. As a result, SGM Latino youth are more susceptible to higher levels of stress, which if not effectively managed, can lead to homelessness, anxiety and depression, and substance abuse. Latino family members find it difficult to learn how to positively interact with their SGM family member (e.g., in the early phases of coming out). In this quantitative survey study, researchers examined survey data collected from 1,877 Latino youth concerning home experiences, health, identity, and parental nativity. Data were drawn from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey, an online, anonymous comprehensive survey designed to advance understanding of the experiences of SGM adolescents (13-17 years of age). The survey, developed and distributed by the Human Rights Campaign, examined perceptions of familial acceptance regarding SGM identity during youth. Significant relationships were found between family acceptance, sexual orientation, and parental nativity (birthplace of parents in- or outside of the United States). The findings provide for a rich discussion about the implications for helping Latino SGM youth and educating Latino family members.

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