Attitudes of Spanish mental health professionals towards trans people: A cross-sectional study.

WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE SUBJECT?: The trans community perceives barriers to the mental health services in the form of professionals' transphobia, lack of knowledge, and cultural sensitivity in healthcare. The attitudes of health professionals are mediated by their social context, which can determine their behaviour or attitude towards users. WHAT DOES THE ARTICLE ADD TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: The attitudes of mental health professionals towards trans people are related to variables such as the professional's age, gender, political ideology and religious beliefs. Mental health nursing, psychology and social work are the professions that present more favourable attitudes towards trans people. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: The inclusion of a professional perspective that understands sexual and gender diversity among mental health professionals is required. It is necessary to train professionals to promote socio-healthcare based on respect and free from prejudice, discrimination and stigma. ABSTRACT: Introduction The trans community perceives barriers to the mental health services in the form of professionals' transphobia, lack of knowledge and cultural sensitivity in healthcare. Aim Evaluation of the attitudes towards trans people of the professionals who work in the different Spanish mental health services. Method A cross-sectional design was used with a sample of professionals from different professional groups working in mental health units, hospitals and outpatient settings throughout Spain. Results Gender differences were found, with higher values in genderism and sexism among males. Negative attitudes and sexism have also been associated with age and religious beliefs. Mental health nursing, psychology and social work presented more favourable attitudes towards trans people than other mental health professionals. Discussion/Implications for Practice The inclusion of a professional perspective that understands sexual and gender diversity and the acquisition of professional attitudes based on evidence and patient-centred model are basic aspects to promote socio-healthcare based on respect and free from prejudices, discrimination and stigma.

Attitudes and Beliefs of Mental Health Professionals towards Trans People: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

A systematic review was conducted to assess and synthesize recent research on mental health professionals' attitudes towards trans people. The main objectives of our research were (a) to identify, synthesize, and analyze the scientific evidence available so far about the attitudes of mental health professionals towards the trans community, and (b) to determine the factors related to these professionals' attitudes, paying special attention to psychosocial and cultural aspects. A systematic search was carried out in the following electronic databases: Pubmed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Gender Studies Database, and Lilacs. A total of 32 articles of quantitative (n = 19), qualitative (n = 11), and mixed (n = 2) design, published up to March 2023, were included. Most studies used a cross-sectional or qualitative design, limiting the possibility of generalizing the results. The studies reviewed indicated mostly positive attitudes among the professionals, depending on their psychosocial characteristics. In line with the results of our review, we recommend that the training of professionals is important to improve their positive attitudes towards transgender and gender diverse people.

Bulimia nervosa: emotions and making decisions.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to add to the knowledge of the neurobiology and aetiopathogenesis of bulimia nervosa, a common disorder in routine clinical practice. To do this, we will study decision making in low risk and low uncertainty patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study consisted of 19 females who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of bulimia nervosa according to the DSM-IV and a control group of 28 healthy female students from the Faculty of Psychology. They performed two tasks: one a "cups task" risk and the other an "ambiguity task", both associated with emotions and decision making. RESULTS: The patients with bulimia took more risks in the win domain than in the lose domain, whereas the reverse was observed in the control group. In the decision making task, low ambiguity, and the number of decisions risked, was similar in both bulimia nervosa and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support those of previous investigations and theories that postulate that the making of decisions is not only mediated by cognitive processes, but the emotions also play an important role in these processes.