Gender minority youth: Shifting the paradigm from risk to resilience

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Vaughan ◽  
A Költő ◽  
D Ravikumar ◽  
C Kelly ◽  
S Nic Gabhainn
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Health Inequalities ◽  
Gap Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Youth Policy ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Complex Picture ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Discourse on the lives, health, and well-being of transgender and other gender minority (TGM) youth frequently revolves around narratives of risk and victimisation. While TGM youth undeniably face many challenges, such singular discourses belie a more complex picture of TGM youth lives and problematically position them as passive victims rather than as social subjects with agency. Methods The “LGBTI+ Landscape and Knowledge Gap Analysis” aimed to systematically map research evidence on sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth in Ireland and other European countries. A scoping review methodology was employed in which the systematic concept searches were linked to the five outcomes of Ireland's Better Outcomes, Better Futures national youth policy framework, which in turn are aligned with the fifteen objectives of the Irish LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy. Results One hundred and twenty-six pieces of evidence were included in the final sample for analysis, which were mapped to the fifteen objectives of the National Youth Strategy. Particular attention was given to the positive aspects and protective factors identified throughout the literature. The evidence showed that while TGM youth disproportionately experience stigma, discrimination and unequal health outcomes, there were sources of resilience at the micro-, meso-, and macro- levels that serve as protective factors against health inequalities. Conclusions Discourse that focuses exclusively on the ‘at-riskness' of trans and gender minority young people presents a one-dimensional perspective that fails to capture the reality and richness of their lives. Over-emphasising individual risk factors may obscure the structural and social factors that underpin the health inequalities experienced by TGM youth.

scholarly journals Connected, Respected and Contributing to Their World: The Case of Sexual Minority and Non-Minority Young People in Ireland

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1118
Author(s):  
András Költő ◽  
Aoife Gavin ◽  
Elena Vaughan ◽  
Colette Kelly ◽  
Michal Molcho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Minority Youth ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Youth Policy ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Gender And Age ◽  
Bisexual Youth ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
And Gender

Outcome 5 of the Irish Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures national youth policy framework (“Connected, respected, and contributing to their world”) offers a suitable way to study psychosocial determinants of adolescent health. The present study (1) provides nationally representative data on how 15- to 17-year-olds score on these indicators; (2) compares sexual minority (same- and both-gender attracted youth) with their non-minority peers. We analyzed data from 3354 young people (aged 15.78 ± 0.78 years) participating in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study in Ireland. Age and social class were associated with the indicators only to a small extent, but girls were more likely than boys to report discrimination based on gender and age. Frequency of positive answers ranged from 67% (feeling comfortable with friends) to 12% (being involved in volunteer work). Sexual minority youth were more likely to feel discriminated based on sexual orientation, age, and gender. Both-gender attracted youth were less likely than the other groups to report positive outcomes. Same-gender attracted youth were twice as likely as non-minority youth to volunteer. The results indicate the importance of a comprehensive approach to psycho-social factors in youth health, and the need for inclusivity of sexual minority (especially bisexual) youth.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Analysis of Adolescent Responses to YouTube Videos Portraying Sexual and Gender Minority Experiences: Belonging, Community, and Information Seeking

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan A. Levinson ◽  
Patricia M. Greenfield ◽  
Jenna C. Signorelli
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Past Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minority Youth ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Sexual and gender minority youth are at risk for negative mental health outcomes, such as depression and suicide, due to stigma. Fortunately, sense of community, connection, and social support can ameliorate these deleterious effects. Youth express that most of their social support comes from peers and in-school organizations, but these sources require in-person interaction. Past research has identified social media sites as virtual and anonymous sources of support for these youth, but the role of YouTube specifically in this process has not been thoroughly explored. This study explores YouTube as a possible virtual source of support for sexual and gender minority youth by examining the ecological comments left on YouTube videos. A qualitative thematic analysis of YouTube comments resulted in six common themes in self-identified adolescents' YouTube comments: sharing, relating, information-seeking, gratitude, realization, and validation. Most commonly, adolescents shared feelings and experiences related to their identity, especially when they could relate to the experiences discussed in the videos. These young people also used their comments to ask for identity-related advice or information, treating the platform as a source of education. Results suggest that sexual minority youth's use of YouTube can be advantageous for social support and community, identity-related information, identity development, and overall well-being.

scholarly journals 198. Adolescent Lives Matter: Social Well-Being of Sexual And Gender Minority Adolescents At-Risk For And Living With HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. S101
Author(s):  
Renata Arrington-Sanders ◽  
Noya Galai ◽  
Andrea Wirtz ◽  
Jennafer Kwait ◽  
Chris Beyrer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Minority Adolescents ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Living With Hiv

scholarly journals Risk, Resilience, and Smoking in a National, Probability Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Adults, 2017, USA

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 272-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph G. L. Lee ◽  
Bonnie E. Shook-Sa ◽  
Jeffrey Gilbert ◽  
Leah M. Ranney ◽  
Adam O. Goldstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Targeted Interventions ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
Advertising Skepticism ◽  
And Gender

Background. There are well-documented inequities in smoking between sexual and gender minority (SGM; e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender [LGBT]) and straight and cisgender people. However, there is less information about risk for and resilience against smoking among SGM people. Such information is critical for understanding etiology and developing interventions. Aims. To conduct a within-group assessment of risks and resiliencies relating to smoking status. Method. In 2017, we conducted a cross-sectional telephone survey with a national, probability-based sample of SGM adults ( N = 453). We assessed theory-informed risks (adverse childhood events, substance use–oriented social environment, mental distress, stigma, discrimination, social isolation, and identity concealment) and resiliencies (advertising skepticism, identity centrality, social support, and SGM community participation). We applied survey weights, standardized predictor variables, and fit logistic regression models predicting smoking status. We stratified by age and SGM identity. Results. Patterns of risk and resilience differ by age and identity. Effects were consistently in the same direction for all groups for participating in substance use–oriented social environments, pointing to a potential risk factor for all groups. Advertising skepticism and having people you can talk to about being LGBTQ were potential protective factors. Discussion. Intervention development should address risk and resilience that differs by SGM identity. Additionally, our findings suggest interventionists should consider theoretical frameworks beyond minority stress. Conclusion. While much of the literature has focused on the role of stress from stigma and discrimination in tobacco use, addressing social norms and bolstering protective factors may also be important in SGM-targeted interventions.

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

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 ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Health And Well Being

scholarly journals A Mixed-Methods Examination of the Unique Associations of Gender-Sexuality Alliance Involvement and Family Support on Bravery in Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

2020 ◽  
pp. 074355842093322
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Ceccolini ◽  
V. Paul Poteat ◽  
Jerel P. Calzo ◽  
Hirokazu Yoshikawa ◽  
Kasey Meyer
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minority Youth ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Heterosexual Youth

Research among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth has suggested associations between Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA) involvement and better health. Emergent research has similarly demonstrated associations between family support and general well-being among SGM youth. However, the trait of bravery has received little attention in this literature, despite its relevance for youth in marginalized positions. We examined the association between level of GSA involvement, family support, and bravery among GSA members ( n = 295; Mage = 16.07), and whether those associations differed based on sexual orientation or gender identity. We then conducted one-on-one interviews with SGM youth ( n = 10), to understand how they understood bravery and experienced support in both GSA and family contexts. Greater GSA involvement significantly predicted greater bravery for all youth, whereas greater family support predicted greater bravery only for heterosexual youth. No significant moderation was found for gender minority youth. Our qualitative findings clarified how SGM youth conceptualized bravery and how they experienced it within their GSA and family settings. GSAs were associated with more frequent displays of explicit support for SGM identity, while families were perceived as providing less explicit support.

scholarly journals 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 ◽  
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 ◽  
Sexual And 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.

scholarly journals Risk and Protective Factors for Substance Use Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: a Scoping Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy D. Kidd ◽  
Kasey B. Jackman ◽  
Margaret Wolff ◽  
Cindy B. Veldhuis ◽  
Tonda L. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Minority Youth ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

scholarly journals QueerVIEW: Protocol for a Technology-Mediated Qualitative Photo Elicitation Study With Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in Ontario, Canada

10.2196/20547 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. e20547
Author(s):  
Shelley L Craig ◽  
Andrew D Eaton ◽  
Rachael Pascoe ◽  
Egag Egag ◽  
Lauren B McInroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Minority Youth ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
File Transfer ◽  
Gender Minority ◽  
Sexual And Gender Minority ◽  
And Gender

Background The experiences of resilience and intersectionality in the lives of contemporary sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are important to explore. SGMY face unique experiences of discrimination in both online and offline environments, yet simultaneously build community and seek support in innovative ways. SGMY who identify as transgender, trans, or gender nonconforming and have experiences with child welfare, homelessness, or immigration have been particularly understudied. A qualitative exploration that leverages technology may derive new understanding of the negotiations of risk, resilience, and identity intersections that impact the well-being of vulnerable SGMY. Objective The objectives of the QueerVIEW study were to (1) enhance understanding of SGMY identities, both online and offline, (2) identify experiences of intersectionality among culturally, regionally, and racially diverse SGMY in Ontario, Canada, (3) explore online and offline sources of resilience for SGMY, and (4) develop and apply a virtual photo elicitation methodological approach. Methods This is the first study to pilot a completely virtual approach to a photo elicitation investigation with youth, including data collection, recruitment, interviewing, and analysis. Recruited through social media, SGMY completed a brief screening survey, submitted 10 to 15 digital photos, and then participated in an individual semistructured interview that focused on their photos and related life experiences. Online data collection methods were employed through encrypted online file transfer and secure online interviews. Data is being analyzed using a constructivist grounded theory approach, with six coders participating in structured online meetings that triangulated photo, video, and textual data. Results Data collection with 30 participants has been completed and analyses are underway. SGMY expressed appreciation for the photo elicitation and online design of the study and many reported experiencing an emotional catharsis from participating in this process. It is anticipated that results will form a model of how participants work toward integrating their online and offline experiences and identities into developing a sense of themselves as resilient. Conclusions This protocol presents an innovative, technology-enabled qualitative study that completely digitized a popular arts-based methodology—photo elicitation—that has potential utility for contemporary research with marginalized populations. The research design and triangulated analyses can generate more nuanced conceptualizations of SGMY identities and resilience than more traditional approaches. Considerations for conducting online research may be useful for other qualitative research. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/20547

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