ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Health inequities and disparities in nutrition research exist among transmasculine people. A dearth of evidence on dietary supplement use and motivations exist, partially due to constrained collection of sex and gender identity in national surveys. OBJECTIVE: We sought to investigate common motivations and use of dietary supplements in a voluntary survey of transmasculine people. METHODS: A total of 48 participants completed an online survey detailing dietary supplement use, motivations, and demographic information. RESULTS: 64.5 and 90.0% of participants reported use of 1+ dietary supplement within the past 30-days and during some point in their lifetime, respectively. Top reported product types used included multivitamins (52%), melatonin (52%), vitamin D (46%), vitamin C (35%), fish oil (33%), B-vitamins or B-complex (31%), iron (29%), green tea (29%), biotin (25%), cranberry (23%), zinc (23%), protein powder (23%), probiotics (23%), and calcium (21%). There was no relationship between the number of supplements reported and participant age, BMI, income, or mastectomy status (p > 0.05). Participants reported top motivations being for "improving my overall health" (60.4%), "maintaining health" (54.2%), to "supplement my diet due to not getting enough from food"(41.7%), "mental health" (39.6%), and to "prevent colds, boost immune system" (33.3%). CONCLUSION: Transmasculine people in our study reported a high use of dietary supplements. Differences in the types of products and number of products used, as well as specific motivations for use likely exist within this subpopulation, however, future nationally-representative longitudinal studies are needed to fully elucidate these patterns and for informing evidence-based nutrition guidance.
Subject(s)
Dietary Supplements , Motivation , Humans , Dietary Supplements/statistics & numerical data , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Surveys and Questionnaires , Transgender Persons/statistics & numerical data , Transgender Persons/psychology , Young Adult , Volunteers/statistics & numerical data , Vitamins/administration & dosageABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) veterans have a greater prevalence of suicide morbidity and mortality than cisgender veterans. Gender-affirming surgery (GAS) has been shown to improve mental health for TGD veterans. In 2021, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) announced the initiation of a rulemaking process to cover GAS for TGD patients. OBJECTIVE: This study explores patients' and providers' perspectives about access to GAS and other gender-affirming medical interventions not offered in the VHA including barriers, facilitators, and clinical and policy recommendations. PARTICIPANTS: TGD patients (n = 30) and VHA providers (n = 22). APPROACH: Semi-structured telephone interviews conducted from August 2019 through January 2020. Two TGD analysts used conventional and directed content analysis to code transcribed data. KEY RESULTS: VHA policy exclusions were the most cited barrier to GAS. Additional barriers included finding information about GAS, traveling long distances to non-VHA surgeons, out-of-pocket expenses, post-surgery home care, and psychological challenges related to the procedure. Factors facilitating access included surgical care information from peers and VHA providers coordinating care with non-VHA GAS providers. Pre- and post-operative care through the VHA also facilitated receiving surgery; however, patients and providers indicated that knowledge of these services is not widespread. Respondents recommended disseminating information about GAS-related care and resources to patients and providers to help patients navigate care. Additional recommendations included expanding access to TGD mental health specialists and establishing referrals to non-VHA GAS providers through transgender care coordinators. Finally, transfeminine patients expressed the importance of facial GAS and hair removal. CONCLUSIONS: A policy change to include GAS in the VHA medical benefits package will allow the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States to provide evidence-based GAS services to TGD patients. For robust and consistent policy implementation, the VHA must better disseminate information about VHA-provided GAS-related care to TGD patients and providers while building capacity for GAS delivery.
Subject(s)
Transgender Persons , Transsexualism , Veterans , Humans , United States , Veterans Health , Gender Identity , Transgender Persons/psychology , Veterans/psychology , Patient Outcome AssessmentABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Compare occurrence of self-inflicted injuries among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth to that of their cisgender peers while accounting for mental health diagnoses. METHODS: Review of electronic health records from three integrated health care systems identified 1087 transfeminine and 1431 transmasculine adolescents and young adults. Poisson regression was used to calculate prevalence ratios comparing the proportion of TGD participants with at least one self-inflicted injury (a surrogate for suicide attempt) before index date (first evidence of TGD status) to the corresponding proportions in presumed cisgender male and female referents matched on age, race/ethnicity, and health plan. Interactions between gender identities and mental health diagnoses were assessed on multiplicative and additive scales. RESULTS: TGD adolescents and young adults were more likely to have a self-inflicted injury, various mental health diagnoses, and multiple mental health diagnoses than their cisgender peers. The prevalence of self-inflicted injuries among TGD adolescents and young adults was high even in the absence of mental health diagnoses. Results were consistent with positive additive interaction and negative multiplicative interaction. CONCLUSIONS: Universal suicide prevention efforts for all youth, including those with no mental health diagnoses, and more intensive suicide prevention efforts for TGD adolescents and young adults and those with at least one mental health diagnosis are warranted.
Subject(s)
Mental Disorders , Self-Injurious Behavior , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Transgender Persons , Adolescent , Female , Humans , Male , Young Adult , Gender Identity , Mental Health , Prevalence , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transsexualism , Self-Injurious Behavior/epidemiology , Mental Disorders/epidemiologyABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Nurses have a professional and ethical responsibility to provide inclusive, affirmative palliative care to transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals experiencing life-limiting illness or injury. In accordance with standards for professional nursing and health organizations, nurses must continue to take tangible steps to achieve a level of care that is affirming, holistic, nonprejudicial, and collaborative. Providing quality care for TGNC individuals requires informed, competent integration of palliative nursing care, gender-affirmative care, and trans-person-centered health care within nursing practice. An interdisciplinary national team of experts collaborated to identify ways nurses could better uphold their professional responsibilities to TGNC individuals with serious illness. The purposes of this article are to: 1) describe elements of TGNC-inclusive palliative nursing care; and 2) present eight concrete recommendations to achieve affirmative clinical practice for TGNC patients living with life-limiting illness and their family of origin and/or family of choice. These recommendations address professional development, communication, medication reconciliation, mental health, dignity and meaning, social support and caregivers, spiritual beliefs and religion, and bereavement care.
Subject(s)
Hospice Care , Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing , Transgender Persons , Humans , Transgender Persons/psychology , Palliative Care , Gender IdentityABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The World Professional Association for Transgender Health has recently updated its Standards of Care (SOC) clinical guidelines for the transgender and gender diverse (TGD) population. This article aims to outline the 2012 SOC for surgical management of TGD people and describe the changes to the surgical management guidelines in this year's update. METHODS AND RESULTS: The surgical management guidelines between the 7th and 8th SOC were compared and contrasted. The 8th SCO included language that broadened surgical interventions and emphasized the new responsibilities of surgeons. Major changes include reducing the number of letters of referral by a mental health provider to one for those choosing to undergo surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The latest surgical management guidelines for the TGD population emphasizes a holistic approach utilizing a multidisciplinary team in both pre- and postoperative settings.
Subject(s)
Surgeons , Transgender Persons , Humans , Transgender Persons/psychology , Standard of Care , Gender Identity , Mental HealthABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Transgender women and cisgender men sex workers are vulnerable to HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study aimed to explore in depth the prevalence of syndemic conditions and their association with the sexual risk behaviors for HIV/STI acquisition in cis men and trans women sex workers in Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain). METHOD: We conducted a study between 2014 and 2018 to determine whether syndemic conditions (frequent alcohol consumption and polydrug use (> 2) during sex with clients; experience of violence; and lack of healthcare access) are associated with HIV/STI sexual risk behaviors. A "syndemic index" was calculated based on the cumulative number of syndemic conditions (0 to 4). RESULTS: In the last year (2018), 78.8% of cisgender men and 68.1% of transgender women reported at least one syndemic condition. The most prevalent syndemic factor in both cisgender men and transgender women was violence (38.8% and 43.6% respectively). In multivariable analysis, an association was found between condomless anal sex and violence (aOR = 1.81), and frequent alcohol consumption and violence with reporting > 10 clients/week (aOR = 2.73 and 1.88, respectively). The higher the number of syndemic factors, the greater probability of having > 10 clients/week and reporting condomless anal sex with clients. CONCLUSION: Psychosocial conditions have a syndemic effect on risky sexual behaviors highlighting the need for a more holistic approach to HIV/STI prevention targeting these populations.
Subject(s)
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , HIV Infections , Sex Workers , Sexually Transmitted Diseases , Transgender Persons , Male , Humans , Female , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/psychology , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/epidemiology , Spain/epidemiology , Transgender Persons/psychology , Syndemic , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Risk-Taking , Homosexuality, MaleABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The purpose of mastectomy for the transgender patient is to produce a masculine appearance of the chest. A number of algorithms have been proposed for selecting the surgical technique. A holistic and surgical approach to transgender men includes our experience-based classification system for selecting the correct surgical technique. OBJECTIVES: To present and discuss the Transgender Standard of Care and our personal experience. METHODS: Data were collected from the files of female-to-male transgender persons who underwent surgery during 2003-2019. Pictures of the patients were also analyzed. RESULTS: Until May 2021, 342 mastectomies were performed by the senior author on 171 patients. The 220 mastectomies performed on 110 patients until November 2019 were included in our cohort. Patient age was 13.5 to 50 years (mean 22.5 ± 6.1). The excision averaged 443 grams per breast (range 85-2550). A periareolar approach was performed in 14 (12.7%), omega-shaped resection (nipple-areola complex on scar) in 2 (1.8%), spindle-shaped mastectomy with a dermal nipple-areola complex flap approach in 38 (34.5%), and a complete mastectomy with a free nipple-areola complex graft in 56 (50.9%). Complications included two hypertrophic scars, six hematomas requiring revision surgery, three wound dehiscences, and three cases of partial nipple necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: A holistic approach to transgender healthcare is presented based on the World Professional Association for Transgender Health standard of care. Analysis of the data led to Wolf's classification for female-to-male transgender mastectomy based on skin excess and the distance between the original and the planned position of the nipple-areola complex.
Subject(s)
Cicatrix , Hematoma , Mastectomy , Postoperative Complications , Sex Reassignment Procedures , Surgical Wound Dehiscence , Transgender Persons , Adult , Body Contouring/methods , Body Contouring/psychology , Body Image/psychology , Cicatrix/etiology , Cicatrix/psychology , Female , Hematoma/diagnosis , Hematoma/etiology , Hematoma/surgery , Humans , Male , Mastectomy/adverse effects , Mastectomy/methods , Nipples/pathology , Nipples/surgery , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Patient Satisfaction , Postoperative Complications/diagnosis , Postoperative Complications/surgery , Reoperation/methods , Reoperation/statistics & numerical data , Sex Reassignment Procedures/adverse effects , Sex Reassignment Procedures/methods , Sex Reassignment Procedures/psychology , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/diagnosis , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/surgery , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transgender Persons/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Purpose: Voice feminization for transgender women remains a challenge. The fundamental frequency of the voice (fo) is one of the main parameters contributing to the perception of gender. One of the aims of voice therapy is to help transgender women acquire a new vocal motor behavior to increase their fo. We hypothesized that ambulatory biofeedback could help extend the new vocal behavior to daily life.Materials and methods: This prospective case study assessed the impact of two weeks of ambulatory vibrotactile biofeedback (VTBF) applied to one transgender woman, following two weeks of voice therapy (three 60-minute sessions). The VTBF was activated when the participant's voice was lower than 150 Hz for more than 500 ms and was accompanied by two 60-minute counseling sessions.Results: The results showed that mean fo monitored in daily activities tended to increase following the two weeks of voice therapy (Δ = 8 Hz or 1 semitone) and then increased significantly immediately after the two weeks of VTBF (Δ = 13 Hz or 1.5 semitones). The increase in mean fo from day to day and the decrease in the activation percentage from the first to the second week of VTBF (Δ = 6%) indicated a gradual integration of the motor behavior, making it possible to achieve the targeted female frequency.Conclusions: The results suggest that ambulatory VTBF helped the participant to generalize the techniques acquired during the voice therapy sessions to real-life communication situations. These results are promising for therapeutic programs that integrate tools that can be used outside the clinical context. Design: Prospective case study.
Subject(s)
Transgender Persons , Voice , Biofeedback, Psychology/methods , Female , Humans , Transgender Persons/psychology , Voice QualityABSTRACT
Purpose: Currently, standards for transgender care guide surgical, hormonal, cosmetic and psychological care, yet do not include the domain of nursing care and nursing sensitive care outcomes. In response, the purpose of this project was to create a middle-range nursing theory to guide transgender nursing care. Methods: Rivera's Gender Affirming Nursing Care (GANC) Model was developed using a community informed iterative process, combining and modifying two existing theories. Each theory was evaluated, construct templates were created, modified, and expanded to create the proposed gender transcendent model. Face validity was established through expert and community review. Findings: Concepts identified include: Relationship (Join With), Knowledge (Learn With) and Engagement (Partner With). Action within the model is propelled by drivers, including ongoing learning, ongoing research, ongoing self-assessment, and leadership. The model operates within the recognized domains of nursing, to support gender affirming nursing care. Conclusions: The middle-range theory was tested and found to stimulate gender neutral thinking; however, the model would benefit from additional testing to determine impact on nursing and patient outcomes. The model allows the nurse, through self-reflection and other internal growth mechanisms, to identify personal implicit and explicit bias. It is through these actions and shifting paradigms that nurses develop a personal gender affirming nursing practice.
Subject(s)
Nursing Care , Transgender Persons , Humans , Learning , Transgender Persons/psychologyABSTRACT
Hijras are the transgender community and have been socio-economically marginalized and hence their mental healthcare needs to be addressed. This was a descriptive, qualitative study, conducted in Mysore, India to examine the mental health status of 33 transgender women (TGW) and their response to the "Meditation on Twin Hearts (MTH)" intervention. Assessment of anxiety, depression and suicidality was carried out before the meditative session followed by a single session of MTH. Their feedback on meditation experience was collected, coded, and transformed into quantitative data. Among total participants, 39.4% of TGW exhibited severe anxiety, 21.2% has severe depression and 75.8% of them were at suicidal risk. Depression was positively correlated with anxiety and suicidal behavior. Most participants reported MTH was useful with signs of improvements in mental state. Thus, a single session of MTH has shown good signs of improvement in mental state among TGW.
Subject(s)
Meditation , Transgender Persons , Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety/therapy , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Meditation/psychology , Mental Health , Transgender Persons/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The health of transgender men (trans men)-individuals who identify as men and were assigned a female sex assigned at birth-is overlooked globally. This mixed-methods exploratory study sought to understand the lived experiences, health, and social needs of trans men in Lima, Peru to bring visibility to specific health needs and inform responsive and holistic public health efforts. METHODS: Between July 2016-January 2017, 46 trans men in Lima, Peru participated in a mixed-methods study. Four focus group discussions were conducted, complemented with 10 one-on-one interviews to explore in-depth issues that arose in groups. Two individuals participated in both a focus group and an interview. All participants completed a brief survey assessing sociodemographic characteristics and experiences with healthcare, mental health, and stigma. Audio files were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using an immersion crystallization approach to identify themes. RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 24 years (range 18-48). Trans men reported a lack of awareness and information among medical providers, avoidance of healthcare due to discrimination and maltreatment, an absence of public services for medical gender affirmation (hormones, surgeries), and unmet mental health needs. Trans men described health as multidimensional and influenced by social, economic, and legal contexts including family, school, employment and work, legal identity recognition, discrimination in public spaces, and peer support. Violence, stigma, and intersecting forms of oppression were described as limiting social and legal recognition of trans identity a central dimension of health. Peer support, often in an online environment, was described as important to resistance and well-being. CONCLUSIONS: Findings demonstrate that the physical and mental health of trans men, as well as unmet needs for healthcare services, are influenced by a complex set of social, economic, and legal challenges due to the social exclusion of trans people in Peruvian society. Results are a call to action for stakeholders in Peru to guarantee the rights, health, and wellbeing of this community.
Subject(s)
Homosexuality, Male/psychology , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transsexualism/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Peru/epidemiology , Social Stigma , Transgender Persons/legislation & jurisprudence , Young AdultABSTRACT
Gender dysphoria, the discordance between one's gender identity and anatomy, affects nearly 25 million people worldwide, and the prevalence of transgender and non-binary identities is increasing because of greater acceptance and awareness. Because of the improved accessibility to gender-affirming surgery (GAS), many providers will care for patients during and after gender transition. For trans men (female-to-male), GAS represents a combination of procedures rather than a single surgery. The particular combination of masculinizing procedures is chosen on the basis of informed patient-provider discussions regarding the patient's goals and anatomy and implemented through a multidisciplinary team approach. In this review, we describe the common procedures comprising masculinizing GAS to improve delivery of specialized care for this patient population.
Subject(s)
Health Services for Transgender Persons , Sex Reassignment Procedures , Transgender Persons , Transsexualism/surgery , Urologic Surgical Procedures , Delivery of Health Care, Integrated , Female , Gender Dysphoria/psychology , Gender Identity , Humans , Male , Sex Reassignment Procedures/adverse effects , Time Factors , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transsexualism/physiopathology , Transsexualism/psychology , Treatment Outcome , Urologic Surgical Procedures/adverse effectsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: There are few large studies on facial feminization surgery (FFS). We provide the largest comprehensive report to date of an FFS cohort regarding the safety of multilevel surgery, patient-specific considerations with FFS procedures, and complications of surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Multicenter integrated health care system. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We examined all patients undergoing FFS within our institution from April 2016 to October 2018. Patients over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of gender dysphoria underwent any combination of scalp advancement, cranioplasty, brow lift, rhinoplasty, upper lip lift, mandibuloplasty, chondrolaryngoplasty, and/or additional cosmetic procedures. Medical records were reviewed for preoperative characteristics, FFS procedures undergone, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: In total, 121 patients underwent a total of 594 FFS procedures. Seventy-five percent of patients had only 1 or no comorbidities, and 90% of patients underwent cranioplasty, scalp advancement, and brow lift. African American patients (n = 5) less commonly underwent cranioplasty compared to those of other ethnicities (white, P < .001; Asian, P = .022; Hispanic, P = .014; multiracial, P = .006). Asian patients less commonly underwent rhinoplasty than white patients (38% vs 73%, P = .023). Only 8 (6.6%) patients experienced a significant complication after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The population undergoing FFS is generally healthy, the upper third of the face is most commonly addressed, there are age and ethnic considerations in FFS, and major complications after multilevel surgery are uncommon.
Subject(s)
Face/surgery , Sex Reassignment Surgery , Transgender Persons , Adult , Comorbidity , Female , Gender Dysphoria/surgery , Humans , Male , Postoperative Complications , Retrospective Studies , Rhinoplasty , Transgender Persons/psychologySubject(s)
Gender Dysphoria/psychology , Maternal Health Services/ethics , Midwifery/ethics , Transgender Persons/psychology , Female , Humans , Licensure/legislation & jurisprudence , Male , Maternal Health Services/legislation & jurisprudence , Midwifery/legislation & jurisprudence , Pregnancy , United StatesABSTRACT
Differences in formant frequencies between men and women contribute to the perception of voices as masculine or feminine. This study investigated whether visual-acoustic biofeedback can be used to help transgender women achieve formant targets typical of cisgender women, and whether such a shift influences the perceived femininity of speech. Transgender women and a comparison group of cisgender males were trained to produce vowels in a word context while also attempting to make a visual representation of their second formant (F2) line up with a target that was shifted up relative to their baseline F2 (feminized target) or an unshifted or shifted-down target (control conditions). Despite the short-term nature of the training, both groups showed significant differences in F2 frequency in shifted-up, shifted-down, and unshifted conditions. Gender typicality ratings from blinded listeners indicated that higher F2 values were associated with an increase in the perceived femininity of speech. Consistent with previous literature, we found that fundamental frequency and F2 make a joint contribution to the perception of gender. The results suggest that biofeedback might be a useful tool in voice modification therapy for transgender women; however, larger studies and information about generalization will be essential before strong conclusions can be drawn.
Subject(s)
Biofeedback, Psychology , Feminization , Formative Feedback , Speech Acoustics , Speech Perception , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transsexualism/therapy , Voice Quality , Voice Training , Adult , Aged , Feasibility Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Proof of Concept Study , Sex Factors , Speech Production Measurement , Transsexualism/physiopathology , Transsexualism/psychology , Visual Perception , Young AdultABSTRACT
En la actualidad existen movimientos y organizaciones que trabajan y luchan por la equidad laboral de género, en contra de su violencia y por los derechos de la mujer. Se trata de conquistar un espacio en el ámbito social, cultural y político en aquellos sectores que históricamente han aislado y discriminado a las mujeres. Es importante realizar cambios socioculturales en las relaciones de poder y saber aprovechar las fortalezas de la realidad actual, para lograr la equidad en las políticas de género y así garantizar la igualdad humana. Existen estudios sobre la situación de la comunidad transgénero en diversos países. Algunas investigaciones realizadas en Estados Unidos han sugerido que existen, aproximadamente, 700 000 personas transgénero, cifra que se considera conservadora.1 Para los profesionales de la salud mental, es importante reflexionar sobre el papel que históricamente ha tenido el psicólogo en esta dinámica. Estos especialistas poseen las competencias para que estos comportamientos no sean tratados como enfermedades, que en la actualidad son identificados como trastornos o disforia sexual por su autoconocimiento no heterosexual. De aquí que se considere, que no se debe excluir de la vida social a toda una comunidad afectada, como lo son las mujeres transgénero (trans). El término transgénero está referido a un espectro amplio de individuos que transcienden o que de forma persistente se identifican con un género diferente al que le fue asignado al nacer, según su sexo biológico. Para tratar de forma holística a la identidad de género hay que reconocer que las personas trans que se identifican con el género femenino, también son parte de los movimientos que luchan por los derechos a la libre expresión de su identidad, en las que han ocupado un papel protagónico. En el contexto de la práctica psicológica, específicamente en el trabajo psicoterapéutico que se realiza con las personas víctimas de violencia de género, se debe prestar atención a la falta de ayuda especializada que reciben las mujeres trans y la comunidad trans en general. En la actualización de la labor del psicólogo dentro de esta comunidad, es importante que como profesional alcance la capacidad necesaria para contribuir a su salud mental. Para lo que debe aceptar que a nivel clínico se ha cometido un error histórico, que ha sido declarar su expresión de identidad...(AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Transgender Persons/psychology , Gender Dysphoria/psychology , Gender Equity , Gender IdentityABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: We characterized referral trends over time at a transgender clinic within an integrated health system in Northern California. We identified the transition-related requests of pediatric transgender and gender-nonconforming patients and evaluated differences in referrals by age group. METHODS: Medical records were analyzed for all patients <18 years of age in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California health system who were referred to a specialty transgender clinic between February 2015 and June 2018. Trends in treatment demand, demographic data, service requests, and surgical history were abstracted from medical charts and analyzed by using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: We identified 417 unique transgender and gender-nonconforming pediatric patients. The median age at time of referral was 15 years (range 3-17). Most (62%) identified on the masculine spectrum. Of the 203 patients with available ethnicity data, 68% were non-Hispanic. During the study period, the clinic received a total of 506 referrals with a significant increase over time (P < .001). Most referrals were for requests to start cross-sex hormones and/or blockers (34%), gender-affirming surgery (32%), and mental health (27%). Transition-related requests varied by age group: younger patients sought more mental health services, and older patients sought hormonal and surgical services. Eighty-nine patients underwent gender-affirming surgeries, mostly before age 18 and most frequently mastectomies (77%). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in referrals supports the need for expanded and accessible health care services for this population. The transition-related care of patients in this large sample varied by age group, underscoring the need for an individualized approach to gender-affirming care.
Subject(s)
Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Referral and Consultation/trends , Transgender Persons/statistics & numerical data , Transsexualism/therapy , Adolescent , California , Child , Child, Preschool , Datasets as Topic , Female , Gender Dysphoria , Humans , Male , Sex Reassignment Procedures/statistics & numerical data , Transgender Persons/psychology , Transsexualism/psychologyABSTRACT
With a growing population of transgender-identified elders in the United States, their unique spiritual end-of-life needs are coming to light. This article presents a case study of a hospice volunteer who used skillful means as an artist to help a transgender-identified woman express her spirituality in the last 6 months of her life. After data analysis, 4 themes emerged related to the expression of spirituality by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) elders at end of life. The themes that emerged included (1) the human element in advocacy for spiritual care, (2) the importance of safe spaces for reflection and meditation, (3) the importance of skillful means to work with LGBTQ people, and (4) acknowledgement of gender identity as a spiritual need. This case study serves as a springboard to advance research into the end-of-life needs of LGBTQ elders and the ways in which members of the hospice team can support spiritual care and alleviate suffering for this population.
Subject(s)
Hospice Care/methods , Spiritual Therapies/methods , Transgender Persons/psychology , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Black and Latina transgender women (BLTW) are disproportionately impacted by HIV but remain underrepresented in HIV and health services research. Between March 2016 and May 2017, BLTW (N = 201) were recruited in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, DC through convenience sampling for a survey assessing multilevel determinants of HIV risk and treatment outcomes. Interviews concluded with a rapid oral HIV test. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to identify gender affirmation-related correlates of self-reported HIV treatment interruptions (HIVTIs) among BLTW living with HIV who had initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) (n = 96). Among them, 57.3% (n = 55) reported at least one HIVTI. Unmet surgical needs (aOR = 1.6), past-year marijuana use (aOR = 14.6), and no current hormone use (aOR = 24.9) were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with HIVTIs in multivariable analysis. Unmet need for gender affirmation may inhibit ART adherence, highlighting opportunities to mitigate care interruptions in alignment with community needs and goals.
Subject(s)
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Retroviral Agents/therapeutic use , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/psychology , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Transgender Persons/psychology , Adult , Black or African American/psychology , Black or African American/statistics & numerical data , Baltimore/epidemiology , Black People/psychology , Black People/statistics & numerical data , District of Columbia/epidemiology , Female , HIV Infections/ethnology , Health Services Accessibility , Healthcare Disparities , Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Medication Adherence/ethnology , Medication Adherence/psychology , Social Stigma , Transgender Persons/statistics & numerical data , TranssexualismABSTRACT
Research has generally shown the benefits of social support, such as the buffering effects on life stressors, yet there has been little empirical investigation of different types of support resources for transgender individuals. We examined family support, support from friends, and connectedness to a transgender community and how these forms of support come together to influence mental health and resilience. The sample included 695 transgender participants (mean age = 25.52 years, SD = 9.68, range = 16-73; 75.7% White) who completed an online survey. Greater than half of participants reported moderate to severe levels of anxious and depressive symptoms. Family social support had the strongest correlations with symptoms of anxiety and depression (r = -.31 and -.37, respectively, p < .01) and was the only form of support associated with resilience when controlling for other forms of support. Latent profile analyses revealed 4 groups based on levels of social support from family and friends and community connectedness. Notably, Class 1 (n = 323; 47.1%) had high levels of support from family and friends and high levels of community connectedness. This class had lower levels of depression and anxiety symptoms and higher levels of resilience compared to other classes (Class 2, n = 276, 40.3%, high friend/community, low family; Class 3, n = 47, 6.9%, low support; Class 4, n = 39, 5.7%, high family, low friend/community). This study highlights the importance of examining support from a more holistic approach and provides insight into unique associations between familial social support and resilience. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).