Latin Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals' Perceptions of Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

Journal Behav Sci (Basel)

Date 2024 Nov 27

PMID 39594297

Authors

Hector J Peguero

Dionne P Stephens

Jacqueline Duong

Averill Obee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Latin transgender and gender-diverse (LTGGD) individuals experienced the public health measures mandated during the COVID-19 pandemic in unique ways. Intersecting ethnic and gender-identifying frameworks contributes to differing access, support, and well-being observations. The aim of this study was to examine emerging adult LTGGD individuals' perceptions of their health and well-being experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Florida. Interviews were conducted with nine self-identifying LTGGD individuals. Using a thematic analysis, a total of three major themes were identified as shaping the participants' experiences and perceptions of health during COVID-19, including (a) healthcare interactions, (b) challenges, and (c) opportunities. Some of the participants were mixed in their perceptions of their well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic; negative concerns included the inability to access general and transgender/gender-diverse specific health services. However, others note that they were happy that the pandemic allowed them to avoid contexts where they regularly experienced microaggressions due to their identities. Additionally, various participants were able to use this time of isolation to identify providers with greater knowledge about LTGGD health needs. These findings highlight the importance of providing culturally competent and humility-centered skills to healthcare providers and others supporting the LTGGD population's well-being.

References

Mackey K, Ayers C, Kondo K, Saha S, Advani S, Young S . Racial and Ethnic Disparities in COVID-19-Related Infections, Hospitalizations, and Deaths : A Systematic Review. Ann Intern Med. 2020; 174(3):362-373. PMC: 7772883. DOI: 10.7326/M20-6306. View

Moore K . The Impact of COVID-19 on the Latinx Population: A Scoping Literature Review. Public Health Nurs. 2021; 38(5):789-800. PMC: 8251024. DOI: 10.1111/phn.12912. View

Cole E . Intersectionality and research in psychology. Am Psychol. 2009; 64(3):170-80. DOI: 10.1037/a0014564. View

Angela S, Fonseca G, Lep Z, Li L, Serido J, Vosylis R . Profiles of emerging adults' resilience facing the negative impact of COVID-19 across six countries. Curr Psychol. 2022; :1-13. PMC: 9549453. DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03658-y. View

DAngelo A, Argenio K, Westmoreland D, Appenroth M, Grov C . Health and Access to Gender-Affirming Care During COVID-19: Experiences of transmasculine individuals and men assigned female sex at birth. Am J Mens Health. 2021; 15(6):15579883211062681. PMC: 8646200. DOI: 10.1177/15579883211062681. View

Pan W, Zhou W, Wu J, Huang Z, Ding L, Lu X . A network analysis of daily stressors, subjective well-being, psychological distress and psychological capital during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Affect Disord. 2024; 366:113-123. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.08.109. View

Ryan C, Russell S, Huebner D, Diaz R, Sanchez J . Family acceptance in adolescence and the health of LGBT young adults. J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs. 2010; 23(4):205-13. DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-6171.2010.00246.x. View

Dean M, Victor E, Guidry-Grimes L . Inhospitable Healthcare Spaces: Why Diversity Training on LGBTQIA Issues Is Not Enough. J Bioeth Inq. 2016; 13(4):557-570. DOI: 10.1007/s11673-016-9738-9. View

Seibel B, de Brito Silva B, Fontanari A, Catelan R, Bercht A, Stucky J . The Impact of the Parental Support on Risk Factors in the Process of Gender Affirmation of Transgender and Gender Diverse People. Front Psychol. 2018; 9:399. PMC: 5885980. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00399. View

10.

Ryan C, Huebner D, Diaz R, Sanchez J . Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics. 2009; 123(1):346-52. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2007-3524. View

11.

Leung L . Validity, reliability, and generalizability in qualitative research. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015; 4(3):324-7. PMC: 4535087. DOI: 10.4103/2249-4863.161306. View

12.

Cerezo A, Rivera D, Sanchez D, Torres L, Carlos Chavez F, Drabble L . Examining COVID-19 pandemic-related economic and household stress and its association with mental health, alcohol, and substance use in a national sample of Latinx sexual minority and heterosexual adults. Cultur Divers Ethnic Minor Psychol. 2023; 30(2):385-394. DOI: 10.1037/cdp0000583. View

13.

McConnell E, Birkett M, Mustanski B . Families Matter: Social Support and Mental Health Trajectories Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth. J Adolesc Health. 2016; 59(6):674-680. PMC: 5217458. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.07.026. View

14.

Fish J, McInroy L, Paceley M, Williams N, Henderson S, Levine D . "I'm Kinda Stuck at Home With Unsupportive Parents Right Now": LGBTQ Youths' Experiences With COVID-19 and the Importance of Online Support. J Adolesc Health. 2020; 67(3):450-452. PMC: 7309741. DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.06.002. View

15.

Bi S, Vela M, Nathan A, Gunter K, Cook S, Lopez F . Teaching Intersectionality of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Race/Ethnicity in a Health Disparities Course. MedEdPORTAL. 2020; 16:10970. PMC: 7394350. DOI: 10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10970. View

16.

Harkness A, Weinstein E, Mayo D, Rodriguez-Diaz C, Safren S . Latinx Sexual Minority Men's Behavioral, Psychosocial, and Medical Experiences during COVID-19: Differences across Immigration Statuses. Ann LGBTQ Public Popul Health. 2021; 2(2):104-115. PMC: 8594873. DOI: 10.1891/lgbtq-2020-0054. View

17.

Scandurra C, Mezza F, Maldonato N, Bottone M, Bochicchio V, Valerio P . Health of Non-binary and Genderqueer People: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol. 2019; 10:1453. PMC: 6603217. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01453. View

18.

Gibbs J, Goldbach J . Religious Conflict, Sexual Identity, and Suicidal Behaviors among LGBT Young Adults. Arch Suicide Res. 2015; 19(4):472-88. PMC: 4706071. DOI: 10.1080/13811118.2015.1004476. View

19.

Tatar M, Habibdoust A, Wilson F . Analysis of Excess Deaths During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the State of Florida. Am J Public Health. 2021; 111(4):704-707. PMC: 7958023. DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2020.306130. View

20.

Rodriguez-Diaz C, Guilamo-Ramos V, Mena L, Hall E, Honermann B, Crowley J . Risk for COVID-19 infection and death among Latinos in the United States: examining heterogeneity in transmission dynamics. Ann Epidemiol. 2020; 52:46-53.e2. PMC: 7375962. DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2020.07.007. View