Use of a media intervention to increase positive attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse individuals.

Background : As issues related to transgender and gender diverse individuals gain more national media attention, professional organizations that promote mental health and LGBTQ + rights continue to advocate for equality and inclusion. Barriers to equality and inclusion for transgender and gender diverse individuals can include a variety of factors including discrimination in educational and workplace settings, and issues related to housing, poverty, and homelessness. Aim : To examine the impact of a media intervention on changing attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse individuals. Methods : A total of 223 students from a large, Midwestern university in the USA participated and received a 45-minute media intervention along with pre- and post-testing. Results : A split-plot factorial ANOVA to investigate potential differences in attitudes and beliefs toward transgender and gender diverse individuals using the Transgender Attitude and Beliefs Scale indicated a statistically significant interaction based on a media intervention where F(1, 109) = 7.042, p = .009. A split-plot factorial ANOVA to investigate potential differences in willingness to engage in social action on behalf of this population measured by the Social Justice Scale did not indicate a statistically significant interaction based on the media intervention where F(1, 109) = .881, p = .350. Conclusion : These findings suggest that a variety of potential media interventions can increase positive attitudes and beliefs toward marginalized groups, but a stronger and/or additional intervention is needed for participants to engage in social action on behalf of the group. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed.

Geographic Distributions of Drag Performers Relative to Urban Centers: Implications for Health.

LGB people may become less accessible to health professionals as technology reshapes LGB social connections. Though electronic forms of health promotion are effective, some interventions must be delivered in person. We use GIS to analyze characteristics (e.g., gender identity, depression, and performance involvement) shared by 114 gay, cisgender male drag performers. We used geographic ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to identify spatial relationships based on participant distance from urban centers. Participants lived between 1.73 km (1.07 mi) and 762.77 km (101.14 mi) from the nearest urban center (Mdn = 16.60 km; 10.31 mi). We found a positive correlation between distance from the nearest urban center and performance involvement (R = 0.19, p ≤ 0.05). Results indicate that drag performers are widely disbursed relative to urban centers and that drag involvement provides motivation to travel to gay bars. Health professionals with in person services may use drag shows and related performances to access LGB populations.

Recommendations from Transgender Healthcare Consumers in Rural Areas.

Purpose: Scholars indicate that rates of mental and physical health issues (e.g., substance use, anxiety, depression) may be much higher among transgender individuals relative to the general population. This disparity may be even greater for transgender individuals in rural areas. Clinical researchers suggest using affirmative therapeutic approaches and interventions to address the health concerns of transgender individuals, specifically to connect individuals with the transgender community. However, little is known about the content of information that is shared in transgender communities in rural areas. Method: For this qualitative study, researchers asked transgender individuals in rural areas (n=10) what recommendations they would offer to other transgender individuals in rural areas regarding healthcare access. Results: Results were organized into four domains: Access care, Quality control, Difficulties, and Mentorship. Within these domains, we identified 11 sub-domains: Get physical healthcare, Get mental healthcare, Provider search, Provider vetting, Treatment verification, It will be difficult, Know who you are, Believe in yourself, Move, Connect to community, and Other. Conclusions: We discuss implications of our findings for healthcare provision in rural areas, and we provide recommendations for future research.

Impact of Work Schedule, Race, and Psychological Distress among Impoverished Mothers.

Objective We tested the relationships among work schedule, race, and psychological distress in impoverished working mothers. Methods Baseline data from a longitudinal cohort study of impoverished mothers (N = 285) were analyzed. The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was utilized to measure levels of psychological distress. Multivariate models including interactions between work schedule and race were used. Results Results indicate that mothers working nonstandard schedules reported more psychological distress symptoms and overall psychological distress compared to mothers working standard schedules. Although race did not moderate the relationship between work schedule and psychological distress, we did find that black/African-American mothers reported less psychological distress compared to white participants. Conclusion Policy implications include collaboration between employers and local agencies to address disparate mental health outcomes based on shift work. Further research is needed to determine specific individual and community supports needed for impoverished working mothers.