Latinx LGBTQ Youth, COVID-19, and Psychological Well-Being: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latinx youth report high rates of negative mental health outcomes such as anxiety and depression. Similarly, research with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth have documented increased negative mental health outcomes such as depression and anxiety as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the current literature has yet to systematically uncover the intersectional experiences of Latinx LGBTQ youth during this time. METHOD: We conducted a systematic review to uncover the experiences of Latinx LGBTQ youth during the pandemic. Our systematic review resulted in 14 empirical studies that explored the challenges, stressors, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Latinx LGBTQ youth. RESULTS: Findings revealed that most studies include cisgender, gender binary, heterosexual, Latinx youth. Findings across studies include: (a) impact from school closures, (b) pandemic stressors, (c) impact from online media, (d) family and Latinx cultural values as a source of support and stress, and (e) the implementation and evaluation of interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUSSION: We provide recommendations for clinicians working with Latinx LGBTQ youth including expanding their knowledge about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these communities, considering the experiences of Latinx LGBTQ youth as multifaceted, and considering the role of heterogeneity in the mental health of Latinx LGBTQ Youth.

"Me being myself isn't a barrier": Identity and praxis of nonbinary psychotherapists.

Experiences of nonbinary psychotherapists have largely gone unexamined in the present literature. Using critical-constructivist grounded theory, we explored the experiences of 13 nonbinary licensed psychotherapists through qualitative semistructured interviews. Interviews were an average of 1.36 hr, and participants were recruited via social media and professional listservs. We found that nonbinary therapists ground their professional praxis-the embodiment of professional theory, action, and practice-in identity across four interconnected areas: navigating minority stress, disclosing identity, utilizing identity, and centering anti-oppression ideologies. Findings add to the nascent examination of experiences of marginalized mental health professionals and note the value of identity integration into professional work. For this population, identity is used in praxis, as it permeates their entire professional sphere. We highlight how these clinicians use their identity in challenging binary understandings of the therapeutic profession. Furthermore, nonbinary therapists demonstrate resilience among systems of oppression and are empowered when challenging binary ways of thinking with clients, supervisors, and peers. Our results indicate the importance of supporting and training nonbinary clinicians in how to use themselves and identity disclosures as effective therapeutic tools and how to manage minority stress and microaggressions that occur in their professional practice. It also underscores the general need for increased training targeted to educators and binary mental health professions aimed at increasing competence in working with nonbinary people. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

LGBTQ Caregiver Acceptance Scale (LCAS): Development and validation with a Latinx sample.

Caregiver acceptance and rejection is crucial to the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. Research shows that caregivers are affected by having an LGBTQ child/family member, yet studies have neglected to capture the experiences of Latinx caregivers. We present the development and initial validation of the LGBTQ Caregiver Acceptance Scale (LCAS) with a Latinx sample. We developed items based on a review of the literature, expert feedback (N = 9), and community member feedback (N = 9; Study 1). We then assessed the factor structure through exploratory factor analysis (EFA) in a sample of 215 Latinx caregivers of LGBTQ people (Study 2). The final LCAS consists of 40 items and six dimensions of Latinx caregivers' acceptance and rejection of their LGBTQ child/family member: Outness, Caregiver Acceptance, Concealment, Respeto, Attitudes Toward Queer Parenting, and Supportive Actions. Convergent and divergent validity was performed to compare the LCAS to other constructs of caregiver acceptance and rejection, family conflict and cohesion, and attitudes toward the LGBTQ community. As hypothesized, all subscale scores and total score were found to be significantly correlated with the constructs used for comparison. This validated measure of LGBTQ-specific acceptance and rejection among caregivers provides a rich opportunity to understand family processes and help inform evidence-based interventions. We provide implications for clinicians working with Latinx caregivers of LGBTQ youth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Intersectional microaggressions, depressive symptoms, and the role of LGBTQ-specific parental support in a sample of Latinx sexual and gender minority youth.

INTRODUCTION: Latinx and sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience higher incidents of racism, cissexism, and heterosexism in the forms of overt discrimination and microaggressions. These experiences could in part explain increased negative mental health outcomes, such as depressive symptoms. Evidence points to the possibility that LGBTQ-specific parental support buffers the effects of intersectional microaggressions on depressive symptoms among Latinx SGM youth. METHODS: In a sample of 1292 Latinx SGM youth (ages 13-17), we assessed: a) the association between LGBTQ-specific parental support and depressive symptoms, b) the associations between three forms of intersectional microaggressions and depressive symptoms, and c) whether parental LGBTQ-specific parental support moderated the relationship between three forms of intersectional microaggressions and depressive symptoms. Main effect and moderation analyses examined interactions between LGBTQ-specific parental support with each of the three forms of intersectional microaggressions on depressive symptoms. RESULTS: We found that Latinx transgender youth experienced higher intersectional microaggressions compared to their cisgender counterparts and that Latinx SGM youth who reported lower LGBTQ-specific parental support experienced higher depressive symptoms. We also identified a significant interaction between intersectional microaggressions and LGBTQ-specific parental support, suggesting that parental support was more protective at low rather than high levels of intersectional microaggressions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest a need for future work examining culturally appropriate approaches to foster a supportive parent-child relationship among Latinx SGM youth and their parental figures.

"There's no real roadmap that I know of": Experiences of transgender and nonbinary graduate students in counseling psychology programs.

Minimal research has examined the experiences of transgender and nonbinary (TNB) people in graduate school with no studies to date examining the experiences of TNB students in psychology graduate programs. The purpose of this study was to utilize a critical-ideological paradigm to identify recruitment, retention, and attrition factors for TNB people in counseling psychology (CP) programs with the aim of providing specific recommendations to CP programs. Individual interviews (between 35 and 70 min) were conducted with a sample of 16 TNB graduate students, aged 23-37-years old (M = 26.9, SD = 3.84), in masters (n = 6) and doctoral (n = 10) CP programs. Participants were nonbinary (n = 13) and trans men (n = 3), the majority were White (n = 10), and all were sexual minorities. Participants were recruited online through email listservs and on social media posts on Facebook and Twitter. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed themes related to challenges experienced in CP programs (systemic/structural challenges, interpersonal challenges, individual/internal challenges) and strengths of or recommendations for CP programs (transaffirming resources/policies, supporting TNB competence and expertise, being a TNB accomplice). Several unique subthemes emerged across the seven themes. Findings may be applied by CP programs to more effectively recruit and retain TNB people, and collectively contribute to an increasing number of TNB people within this field. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

"I Just Wanted Support": Examining How LDS Clergy May Effectively Minister to Sexual and Gender Minority Congregants.

This study explored why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who identify as sexual or gender minorities (SGM) speak with clergy regarding their SGM identities, as well as what LDS SGMs find helpful and unhelpful in these conversations. A sample of 25 current or former LDS SGMs participated in semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants reported six overarching reasons for talking with clergy, including church procedures, seeking guidance, seeking emotional comfort, seeking repentance, seeking openness, and other people's initiation. Participants reported several ways clergy were helpful, including empathic listening, openness, and affirmative spiritual care. Participants further reported several ways clergy were unhelpful, including punishing, lacking empathic listening, having a limited worldview, and pathologizing. Clergy may benefit from understanding why LDS SGMs are speaking with them, and from utilizing helpful approaches such as empathic listening skills in their ministering efforts.

Parental Support, Depressive Symptoms, and LGBTQ Adolescents: Main and Moderation Effects in a Diverse Sample.

OBJECTIVE: Research has documented the importance of parental support as a protective factor against depressive symptoms among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. In this study, we assessed the relations between LGBTQ-specific parental support and depressive symptoms. METHOD: Participants were 6,837 LGBTQ youth (ages 13-17) with diverse racial and ethnic, gender, and sexual identities. Main effect and moderation analyses examined interactions between LGBTQ-specific parental support with demographic variables on depressive symptoms, considering demographics as moderators. RESULTS: We found that participants of color reported less LGBTQ-specific parental support than their White counterparts, that transgender and genderqueer participants reported less LGBTQ-specific parental support than their cisgender counterparts, and that non-monosexual participants reported less LGBTQ-specific parental support than their monosexual counterparts. Disparities in depressive symptoms were found for individuals who identified as Native American and Latinx, non-monosexual, and transgender and genderqueer, such that these groups reported higher levels of depressive symptoms. Further, we found a significant interaction between LGBTQ-specific parental support and ethnicity, with LGBTQ-specific parental support being less strongly associated with participants who identified as Latinx compared to those who did not identify as Latinx. We also found a significant interaction between LGBTQ-specific parental support and gender identity, with LGBTQ-specific parental support being more strongly related to depressive symptoms among participants who did not identify as boys compared to cisgender boys . DISCUSSION: We discuss how to assess the impact of interlocking systems of oppression when working with LGBTQ youth and their parental figures.

"Therapy can be restorative, but can also be really harmful": Therapy experiences of QTBIPOC clients.

Research suggests that queer and/or trans Black people, Indigenous people, and other People of Color (QTBIPOC) generally experience higher levels of psychological distress and depression, leading to poorer mental health outcomes (e.g., Lim & Hewitt, 2018; Sutter et al., 2018). However, little is known about the experiences of QTBIPOC individuals in therapy. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to understand the nuanced narratives of QTBIPOC individuals in therapy. Twelve QTBIPOC individuals were interviewed about their experiences in therapy, as well as their suggestions for how therapists can improve mental health treatment. Using minority stress and intersectional theories as frameworks, the following core category was identified: An optimal therapy experience is contingent on the intentional dismantling of systemic oppression in therapy. The six categories that comprise this core category included therapy microskills encourage continued help-seeking despite cultural barriers, proximal stress leads to hesitation in the therapy room, ignorant therapist reactions exemplify distal stress, explicit validation of identity and experiences of oppression strengthens the therapeutic experience, shared identity facilitates the therapeutic bond, and therapy must be decolonized and center nontraditional healing practices. Results of the present study suggest that therapy can be ineffective-or even harmful-for QTBIPOC individuals when systems of oppression are not adequately dismantled in the therapy room. Our findings prompt important directions for practice with QTBIPOC individuals as well as institutional advocacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

"They feel empowered to discriminate against las chicas": Latina transgender women's experiences navigating the healthcare system.

Background: Transgender Women of Color are more likely to experience oppression at the hands of healthcare providers than their transgender White counterparts. However, there is a paucity of research on the experiences of Latina transgender women in the United States. Aims: Using an intersectionality theory framework, the present study aimed to investigate the factors that contribute to Latina transgender women's decision to seek or refuse healthcare services and Latina transgender women's experiences with healthcare providers in the United States. Methods: A community sample of 15 Latina transgender women at a large metropolitan city in Florida participated in a focus group to explore their experiences with seeking out and accessing healthcare services. Results: Thematic analysis revealed five themes: 1) experiences in seeking healthcare, 2) the effects of hormones on mental health, 3) resistance, 4) imparting collective knowledge, and 5) recommendations to healthcare providers. Conclusions: Through collective dialog these women gave voice to their needs and pains in the context of healthcare while also positioning themselves as agentic, resistant, and aware of the power of collectivism in the process of healing. The current findings support and extend calls for training improvements related to transgender populations, giving voice not only to the need for training but specifying immigrant Latina transgender women's desire for such training. Also, elements related to Latinx cultural values (e.g., convivencia, familismo) must be considered when working with Latina transgender women.

"A center for trans women where they help you": Resource needs of the immigrant Latinx transgender community.

Background: Immigrant Latinx transgender people often migrate to the United States because of a desire for increased safety and more opportunities. However, after migrating to the United States, immigrant Latinx transgender people often struggle to access basic needs, including health care, jobs, and stable finances. These struggles are exacerbated for undocumented immigrant Latinx transgender people. There is a gap in the literature regarding needed resources for immigrant Latinx transgender community members living in the United States. Aims: Utilizing a critical intersectionality framework, the aim of the present study was to investigate the resource needs of immigrant Latinx transgender community members living in the United States. Methods: A community sample of 18 immigrant Latinx transgender people living in a large metropolitan city in Florida participated in individual semi-structured interviews to explore their community resource needs. Results: Thematic analysis revealed five themes related to resources that participants needed including: 1) Transgender healthcare/resources, 2) Public education, 3) Financial aid resources, 4) Homelessness resources, and 5) Addictions care. Two resource need-related themes were identified that pertain specifically to undocumented immigrant Latinx transgender people, including: 1) Documentation papers for access, and 2) Legal aid. Conclusions: Findings suggest that immigrant Latinx transgender community members in this study provided guidance about broad resources needed to enhance their wellness and safety, and promote liberation of community members. Participants' resource needs suggest the importance of policy and structural level changes from institutions with power that consider and enhance the wellness of immigrant Latinx transgender people. Findings also suggest the need for more tailored interventions and case work to better support immigrant Latinx transgender people.

Impact of gender-affirming care bans on transgender and gender diverse youth: Parental figures' perspective.

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth in the United States are met with systemic barriers that affect their physical and mental health. Recent scholarship has found that TGD youth have been negatively impacted as a result of antitransgender federal, state, and local laws and bills. Given the crucial role of parental figures in the well-being of TGD youth (e.g., supporting their child's health-care decisions), parents can provide important insight about the experiences of their children as they navigate the effects of antitransgender legislation. This study aimed to explore parental figures' perceptions of how bans on gender affirming care affect their TGD child and parental figures' advice for legislators/policymakers regarding the impact of these laws and bills on the well-being of TGD youth. Responses to an online survey with 134 self-identified parental figures of TGD youth were analyzed. Thematic analysis revealed five themes regarding the impact that these antitransgender laws and bills have on TGD youth, including (a) depression and suicidal ideation/risk of suicide, (b) anxiety, (c) increased gender dysphoria, (d) decreased safety and increased stigma, and (e) lack of access to medical care. Parental figures also provided direct feedback to legislators/policymakers regarding the impact of these laws and bills on the well-being of TGD youth, including (a) transgender youth health is not a political issue, (b) decriminalize gender affirming medical care, (c) decrease discrimination and violence against transgender people, and (d) become educated on transgender health-care issues. Recommendations for research and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

"What American dream is this?": The effect of Trump's presidency on immigrant Latinx transgender people.

Little research has explored how transgender people are impacted by the behaviors, statements, and policies of the Trump administration. To date no scholarship has explored the experiences of immigrant Latinx transgender people during the current political climate. Using a critical intersectional qualitative framework, the present study aimed to investigate how immigrant Latinx transgender people are impacted by Trump's administration. A community sample of 15 immigrant Latinx transgender people from a large metropolitan city in Florida participated in semistructured interviews to explore their experiences since the election of Donald Trump. Thematic analysis revealed seven themes related to experiences of oppression, including: (a) perceived increase in societal discrimination and violence, (b) perception of law enforcement surveillance, discrimination, and violence, (c) mental health toll, (d) decreased access to resources and opportunities, (e) perception of Trump's uninformed, hostile, and aggressive behavior, (f) rollback of discrimination protection, and (g) passing and conforming to norms. In addition, five themes emerged about participants' sources of coping and strength in response to the current political climate, including: (a) pride and resilience, (b) hope for a better future, (c) religion and spirituality, (d) family and community support, and (d) short-term avoidance as a form of resistance. Psychological practices and advocacy efforts such as using evidence-based practices to effectively work with immigrant Latinx transgender people are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

"We are our own community": Immigrant Latinx transgender people community experiences.

Little is known about how immigrant Latinx transgender people experience support from their communities in the U.S. and back in their country of origin. The present study aimed to understand how immigrant Latinx transgender people reported support within their communities. A community sample of 18 immigrant Latinx transgender people in a large metropolitan city in Florida participated in semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis revealed four themes depicting the varying levels of support that participants received within their communities in the U.S., including: (a) neighborhood belonging, (b) organizations as a source of well-being, (c) friends as a source of protection and safety, and (d) supporting undocumented individuals. In addition, three themes emerged about participants' experiences of discrimination and oppression within their communities, including: (a) discrimination and violence, (b) police profiling and restriction of public space, and (c) lack of safety for undocumented individuals. Participants also shared narratives about the perceived level of community support they received in the U.S. versus in their countries of origin. Drawing on gender minority stress and intersectionality, the community experiences of immigrant Latinx transgender people are examined and interpreted to provide important research, advocacy, and practice implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

'None of my providers have the slightest clue what to do with me': Transmasculine individuals' experiences with gynecological healthcare providers.

Background: Transgender individuals experience barriers to accessing healthcare including financial difficulties, lack of insurance, and discrimination and victimization by medical providers. Transmasculine patients face unique challenges and are more at risk for reproductive pathology resulting from a lack of regular gynecological care. Presently, a dearth of research exists on the needs of transmasculine patients in gynecological healthcare settings. While the literature on experiences of transmasculine individuals has focused on physical health and risk factors for this population, this study focuses on the information that transmasculine individuals want their gynecologists to know when working with trans patients. Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the lived experiences of transmasculine individuals in order to understand what they feel their medical providers need to know about their experiences seeking gynecological care. Method: Participants included 167 adults who identified as masculine of center or trans men ranging in age from 18 - 56 (M = 27.99, SD = 6.06). Participants completed an online survey and responded to open-ended questions about their gynecological healthcare experiences. Qualitative responses were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: Results revealed four information-salient themes, including: 1) Patient comfort levels; 2) Language; 3) Provider assumptions; and 4) Provider knowledge. Conclusions: Findings suggest that gynecologists are key in both exacerbating barriers and creating more affirming spaces for transmasculine patients. Discussion of the results focuses on the ways that providers can improve the gynecologic healthcare experiences of their transmasculine patients.

"Invisible During My Own Crisis": Responses of LGBT People of Color to the Orlando Shooting.

On June 12, 2016, the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida was the target of one of the country's deadliest mass shootings. Pulse, a gay nightclub, was hosting a Latin Pride Night the evening of the tragedy, which resulted in the death of 49 victims and 53 casualties, over 90% of whom were lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Latinx people, specifically. The present research investigates the narrative responses from LGBT people of color (LGBT-POC) following the tragedy. Results included an analysis of 94 participant narrative responses. Results were collected online from a sample of LGBT-POC with varying sexual, gender, and racial identities. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) Violence is Not New for LGBT-POC; (2) Personal Identification with Victims; (3) Lack of Intersectionality in Others' Responses to Orlando; and (4) Acknowledgment of Intersectionality across LGBT-POC. Discussion focuses on describing the ways in which LGBT-POC responded to the shooting regarding their multiple minority identities. Implications of this research reinforce the need for continued intersectional research with LGBT-POC.

The positive aspects of being the parent of an LGBTQ Child.

Parenting an LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) identified child presents unique opportunities for growth and development. This study focused on self-reported perceptions of the positive aspects of being the parent of an LGBTQ child. Participants (N = 142) were mothers (83.8%) and fathers (16.2%) of LGBTQ identified individuals who responded to an open-ended online survey. Thematic analysis revealed five primary themes: Personal Growth (open mindedness, new perspectives, awareness of discrimination, and compassion), Positive Emotions (pride and unconditional love), Activism, Social Connection, and Closer Relationships (closer to child and family closeness). The practice implications of these findings for supporting parents in envisioning positive relationship outcomes for themselves and their children are highlighted in the discussion.