Gender and Sexual Minority Research in the Digital Society

2022 ◽  
pp. 885-897
Author(s):  
Salvatore Monaco

The chapter aims to deepen the theme of the participation of gender and sexual minorities in social research, with a specific focus on the new possibilities offered by the digital society. After defining the concept of “hidden populations” or “hard -to -reach populations,” the contribution focuses on the factors of greatest vulnerability of the LGBT population. Subsequently, the chapter aims to review the literature regarding the barriers to the sampling, recruitment, participation, and involvement of sexual and gender minorities, highlighting some strategies to overcome some of the main barriers, through a plurality of innovative procedures made possible by the so-called digital society.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 903-910
Author(s):  
William LaPlant ◽  
Leonardo Kattari ◽  
Lexie Ross ◽  
Jennifer Zhan ◽  
Jeffrey Druck

Introduction: Expanding on data concerning emergency department (ED) use and avoidance by the sexual minority (those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, other [LGTBQ+]) and gender minority (those who identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, other) community may inform future ED LGTBQ+ training and clinical practice. Investigation objectives included characterizing rates of emergency care avoidance, identifying barriers to emergency care, and assessing emergency care quality and cultural competency for sexual and gender minorities. Methods: In this population-based, cross-sectional needs assessment, sexual minority, gender minority, and/or cisgender heterosexual-identified participants were selected based on participants’ subscription to newsletters or social media accounts for One Colorado, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Each participant completed a single digital survey that collected qualitative and quantitative data about ED perception, use, and demographics. Results: A total of 477 LGBTQ+ or heterosexual-identified individuals (mean age = 44.3 (standard deviation [SD] = 16.7)) participated in the study. Lifetime emergency care avoidance rates for gender minorities were markedly increased (odds ratio [OR] 3.8, 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.2 – 6.6; P <.001), while avoidance rates for sexual minorities were similar to those of cisgender heterosexual respondents (17% vs 14%; P <.001). Gender minorities were more likely than sexual minorities to both avoid emergency care due to fear of discrimination (43% vs 15%; P =.002) and to have experienced discrimination during their last ED visit (OR 11, [95% CI, 5–24]; P <.001). No significant differences were observed between participants in care avoidance due to financial reasons or prior negative experiences. No cited ED factors that influenced identity disclosure decisions were distinctly predictive. Conclusion: Gender minorities are more likely than sexual minorities and heterosexual cisgender individuals to report ED avoidance and discrimination at last ED visit. Future work characterizing deficits in LGBTQ+ ED care might reduce these avoidance and discrimination rates, enhancing the level of patient care provided to this population.


2007 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 10-14
Author(s):  
Cathleen Willging

There is a dearth of research, anthropological and otherwise, focused on the mental health needs of sexual and gender minorities in rural areas. The risk for mental illness is greater for such groups due to their repeated exposure to psychosocial stressors associated with discrimination, stigmatization, and violence. The consequences of such exposure may be exacerbated in rural areas, where mental health resources are typically insufficient for the general population. Ethnographic research can provide important insights into how sexual and gender minorities cope with mental health problems within rural settings where treatment options are limited. The methodological challenges of undertaking such research are substantial, and include lack of identification among potential participants with externally imposed social categories, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT), and the problem of recruiting "hidden" populations to take part in studies on sensitive topics. When taking into account the geographical dispersion of LGBT people in rural areas, these challenges increase substantially.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samia Tasnim ◽  
Nusrat Fahmida Trisha ◽  
Qiping Fan ◽  
Abida Sultana ◽  
Shayla Haque Mishu ◽  
...  

Background:High burden of mental disorders among sexual minorities including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender population is well documented. Digital platforms are increasingly being used by sexual minorities to communicate with each other, but there is no systematic review of digital interventions that can improve mental health among sexual minorities. This systematic review identified and evaluated the digital interventions for mental health among different sexual minorities.Methodology:We searched literature from six major databases and included studies published in the English language, describing interventions that have a component to improve mental health among any of the sexual minorities delivered through any of the digital platforms, and reporting mental health outcomes.Results:Among 1936 citations, only 11 studies fulfilled our criteria. In those studies, most (n=9) interventions were implemented in the U.S. The interventions included varying components including on increasing acceptance and affirmation, increase social support and health education, cognitive behavioral therapy to manage stress, depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions. Only 6 studies had randomized control design. Most of the studies reported reduction in bi/homonegativity and increased affirmation, decreased smoking and substance abuse, improved coping skills, reduced level of depression, anxiety, and stress among participants in the intervention groups.Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review that evaluated digital intervention for mental health among sexual and gender minorities. Despite a low number of studies and heterogeneity across studies, the findings suggest potential improvements in mental health among sexual and gender minorities using digital interventions.


Author(s):  
Brandon J. Weiss ◽  
Bethany Owens Raymond

Rates of anxiety disorders are significantly elevated among sexual and gender minorities. In this chapter, the minority stress model is discussed as a framework for conceptualizing anxiety among sexual and gender minorities, and the authors review the literature on the relationships between specific minority stressors and symptoms. The authors examine prevalence rates of anxiety disorders among sexual minorities and gender minorities, separately and in comparison to heterosexual and cisgender individuals. Also reviewed is the literature on anxiety disorders among sexual and gender minorities with a racial or ethnic minority status. Current assessment and treatment approaches are identified and reviewed. Finally, limitations to the current literature base are discussed and recommendations are provided for future studies.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 817-817
Author(s):  
Shana Stites

Abstract Many studies find gender differences in how older adults’ report on their memory, perform on cognitive testing, and manage functional impairments that can accompany cognitive impairment. Thus, understanding gender’s effects in aging and Alzheimer’s research is key for advancing methods to prevent, slow, manage, and diagnosis cognitive impairment. Our study, CoGenT3 – The study of Cognition and Gender in Three Generations – seeks to disambiguate the effects of gender on cognition in order to inform a conceptual model, guide innovations in measurement, and support future study. To accomplish this ambitious goal, we have gathered an interdisciplinary team with expertise in psychology, cognition, sexual and gender minorities, library science, measurement, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, and gender and women’s studies. The team benefits from the intersections of expertise in being able to build new research ideas, gain novel insights, and evaluate a wide-range of actions and re-actions but this novelty can also raise challenges.


2018 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
Bishnu Kumar Adhikari

The third gender in contemporary societies is viewed from different angle. They have been facing different problems because of their sexuality. The objective of the paper is to explore the working condition, problems and its impact on the health of sexual and gender minorities in community. The descriptive research design was adopted in this study. It was based on field study in Kathmandu valley. Interview schedule has been applied as tool of data collection. The study was delimited to the LGBTI registered under BDS only. Altogether 100 respondents were selected out of total (111) purposively. Most of the LGBT (53.6%) were involved in private sector and 34.56% were working as sex worker. The respondents (38.47%) reported that they were dismissed from the job and 12.5% suffered from sexual exploitation and rape. Similarly, 32.78% suffered from mental tension and 20% suffered from depression. Social support, information education and awareness programs targeting the LGBT and studies covering a diverse population are recommended.


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