Mental Health for Sexual and Gender Minority Couples and Families

The majority of sexual and gender minority (SGM) people want to be in a romantic relationship and desire parenthood in the future. SGM couples and parents often have similar experiences compared to their cisgender heterosexual peers; however, SGM people experience higher rates of mental health challenges. For SGM people, romantic partners buffer the negative impacts of sexual and gender-related stigma, along with providing social support that is lacking from family, friends, and the wider community. According to minority stress theory, sexual and gender-related negative experiences can be detrimental to the well-being of SGM individuals, with particularly distinctive influences on SGM couples and parents. Understanding the couple and co-parenting dynamics and experiences of SGM couples provides great insight into how to improve the mental health outcomes of all SGM people. This chapter will explore the experiences of SGM couples and parents, examine the positive and negative influences on mental health, and discuss ways to improve the experiences of SGM people through the context of romantic and co-parenting relationships.

Sexual and Gender Minority Stress Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for LGBTQ Young Persons’ Mental Health and Well-Being

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/0033354920954511 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 135 (6) ◽

pp. 721-727

Author(s):

John P. Salerno ◽

Jackson Devadas ◽

M Pease ◽

Bryanna Nketia ◽

Jessica N. Fish

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Health And Well Being

Differences in Rape Acknowledgement and Mental Health Outcomes across Transgender, Non-binary, and Cisgender Bisexual Youth

10.31219/osf.io/b2vxr ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

RaeAnn Anderson ◽

Lesley A. Tarasoff ◽

Nicole VanKim ◽

Corey Flanders

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Stress Theory ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Rape Acknowledgment ◽

Objective: The purpose of this study was to document the rates of rape acknowledgment (labeling rape as rape rather than using a minimizing label), and the corresponding mental health correlates using the minority stress framework in a unique and vulnerable sample: racially diverse sexual and gender minority young adults.Method: Participants were 245 young adults who identified their sexual orientation as under the bisexual umbrella. A total of 159 of these participants (65.2%) identified their gender identity as non-binary. All participants completed a series of online questionnaires regarding their sexual victimization history, mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder: PTSD), and constructs relevant to minority stress theory (level of outness, internalized bisexual negativity, connection to LGBTQ community).Results: Rape acknowledgment was significantly greater among gender non-binary participants (79.9%) than among trans and cisgender male participants (17.9%). Lack of rape acknowledgment was associated with increased anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Outness was significantly associated with greater rape acknowledgment. Conclusions: In spite of the highly increased vulnerability for sexual violence among sexual and gender minorities, very little is understood about the mechanisms of this increased vulnerability nor their unique needs for recovery. The results of this study strongly suggest the importance of a minority stress framework for understanding this increased vulnerability and for designing sexual violence prevention and recovery interventions for sexual and gender minority populations.

Transdiagnostic Approaches to Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health

10.31234/osf.io/7s9cr ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Craig Anthony Rodriguez-Seijas ◽

Nicholas R Eaton ◽

John E. Pachankis

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Great Promise ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Psychological Mechanisms ◽

Minority Mental Health ◽

Diagnostic Approaches ◽

Sexual and gender minority individuals experience minority stress, which is hypothesized to underlie the mental health disparities affecting these populations. Drawing on advances in mental disorder classification, we argue that transdiagnostic approaches hold great promise for understanding and reducing these disparities. In contrast to traditional diagnostic approaches, which have limited construct validity and produced a piecemeal literature, transdiagnostic approaches: (1) are evidence based, (2) account for diffuse patterns of disparities and comorbidity, (3) pinpoint psychological mechanisms linking minority stress to poor mental health, (4) reduce scientific stigma, and (5) serve as efficacious and efficient targets for transdiagnostic minority stress interventions.

Life under COVID-19 for LGBT+ people in the UK: systematic review of UK research on the impact of COVID-19 on sexual and gender minority populations

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050092 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (7) ◽

pp. e050092

Author(s):

Victoria J McGowan ◽

Hayley J Lowther ◽

Catherine Meads

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Gender Identity ◽

Well Being ◽

Cochrane Library ◽

Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

The Impact ◽

Health And Well Being

ObjectiveTo systematically review all published and unpublished evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and well-being of UK sexual and gender minority (LGBT+; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, intersex and queer) people.MethodsAny relevant studies with or without comparator were included, with outcomes of: COVID-19 incidence, hospitalisation rates, illness severity, death rates, other health and well-being. Six databases (platforms) were searched—CINAHL Plus (Ovid), Cochrane Central (Cochrane Library), Medline (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), Science Citation Index (Web of Science) and Scopus between 2019 and 2020 in December 2020, using synonyms for sexual and gender minorities and COVID-19 search terms. Data extraction and quality assessment (using the relevant Joanna Briggs checklist) were in duplicate with differences resolved through discussion. Results were tabulated and synthesis was through narrative description.ResultsNo published research was found on any outcomes. Eleven grey literature reports found to be of low quality were included, mostly conducted by small LGBT+ charities. Only four had heterosexual/cisgender comparators. Mental health and well-being, health behaviours, safety, social connectedness and access to routine healthcare all showed poorer or worse outcomes than comparators.ConclusionsLack of research gives significant concern, given pre-existing health inequities. Social and structural factors may have contributed to poorer outcomes (mental health, well-being and access to healthcare). Paucity of evidence is driven by lack of routinely collected sexual orientation and gender identity data, possibly resulting from institutional homophobia/transphobia which needs to be addressed. Men are more at risk of serious illness from COVID-19 than women, so using data from trans women and men might have started to answer questions around whether higher rates were due to sex hormone or chromosomal effects. Routine data collection on sexual orientation and gender identity is required to examine the extent to which COVID-19 is widening pre-existing health inequalities.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020224304.

The Current Status of Sociopolitical and Legal Issues Facing Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Adolescent Psychiatry ◽

10.2174/2210676611666211105120645 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Natalia Ramos ◽

Alexis Burgess ◽

Elizabeth Ollen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Public Discourse ◽

Cultural Beliefs ◽

Legal Issues ◽

Current Status ◽

Legal Rights ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Background: Adolescents today have unprecedented and uninterrupted access to news and current events through broadcast and social media. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents may be especially cognizant of media and public discourse pertaining to law and policy changes affecting the legal rights of their communities. The minority stress framework explains how sociopolitical discourse impacts mental health among sexual and gender minority youths. Objectives: This paper identifies and describes contemporary sociopolitical and legal issues that may impact LGBTQ adolescents’ mental health. Methods: Authors describe the minority stress framework as applied to gender and sexual identity and explore key sociopolitical and legal topics relevant to LGBTQ adolescents, including employment; medical care bans; health insurance coverage; conversion therapy; religious exemptions in health care; housing rights; and rights in schools and school districts, including participation in sports. Results: LGBTQ youth experience rejection, prejudice, and discrimination directly through adverse legislative or administrative action and more pervasively through the dominant cultural beliefs and sociopolitical messaging that such developments manifest. Conclusion: Mental health clinicians who are aware of legal issues and sociopolitical debate pertinent to LGBTQ rights are better prepared to address their significant impact on LGBTQ adolescents’ mental health.

Sexual and gender minority populations and suicidal behaviours

Oxford Textbook of Suicidology and Suicide Prevention ◽

10.1093/med/9780198834441.003.0042 ◽

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 ◽

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.

Alcohol Use Disorders among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

The Oxford Handbook of Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190067991.013.9 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 85-100

Author(s):

Phoenix R. Crane ◽

Katarina S. Swaringen ◽

Anthony M. Foster ◽

Amelia E. Talley

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Use ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Alcohol Use Disorder ◽

Alcohol Misuse ◽

Minority Populations ◽

Stress Theory ◽

Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Alcohol Related Problems

Sexual and gender minority populations are at a heightened risk of developing alcohol-related problems, such as alcohol use disorder, compared to their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts. The present chapter presents recent prevalence rates of alcohol use disorder and examines how relations among sexual orientation, gender, and alcohol use are influenced by mechanisms relevant to minority stress theory, the intersectionality framework, and other social factors such as racism, sexism, homophobia, sexual victimization, and stigma. This chapter also explores available intervention and treatment initiatives for alcohol misuse in sexual and gender minority populations, suggesting empirically informed approaches to maximize the effectiveness of tailored programs.

The Intersections of Physical and Mental Health among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

The Oxford Handbook of Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190067991.013.34 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 379-393

Author(s):

Michele J. Eliason

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Minority Populations ◽

Physical And Mental Health ◽

Future Directions ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Adverse Childhood Events ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

There is considerable evidence of health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations in the areas of physical health and disability, mental health and suicidality, substance use and abuse, and access to care. However, little research has considered the possibility that disorders might concentrate in subgroups of SGMs with the greatest levels of minority stress over time or those who have experienced the greatest number of adverse childhood events. This chapter examines the scant evidence that physical and mental health disorders coexist in some SGM individuals and offers some critique of the existing research. Future directions for research are proposed.

Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health among Children and Youth

The Oxford Handbook of Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190067991.013.21 ◽

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 (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

The Oxford Handbook of Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190067991.013.1 ◽

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 ◽

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.