An Assessment of the Proportion of LGB+ Persons in the Belgian Population, their Identification as Sexual Minority, Mental Health and Experienced Minority Stress

Schrijver, Lotte De; Fomenko, Elizaveta; Krahé, Barbara; Dewaele, Alexis; Harb, Jonathan; Janssen, Erick; Motmans, Joz; Roelens, Kristien; Beken, Tom Vander; Keygnaert, Inês

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1358200/v1

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Mental health problems have been well-documented among sexual minorities (37)(38)(39)(40) and migrants (41)(42)(43), most often caused by minority stress, discrimination and racism. Our data also shows that that participants' intersecting identities led to a high mental health burden.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acceptable but not always accessible. Insights into barriers and facilitators in PrEP uptake and use among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men in Belgium

Landeghem

Dielen

Semaan

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background PrEP uptake is low among non-Belgian men and transwomen who have sex with men, although the HIV epidemic among men who have sex with men in Belgium is diversifying in terms of nationalities and ethnicity. We lack an in-depth understanding of this gap. Methods We conducted a qualitative study using a grounded theory approach. The data consists of key informants interviews and in-depth interviews with migrant men or transwomen who have sex with men. Results We identified four underlying determinants which shape our participants’ experiences and contextualize the barriers to PrEP use. These include (1) the intersectional identities of being migrant and men and transwomen who have sex with men, (2) migration related stressors, (3) mental health and (4) socio-economic vulnerability. Identified barriers include: the accessibility of services; availability of information, social resources and providers’ attitudes. These barriers influence PrEP acceptance and mediated by indivudal agency this influences their PrEP uptake. Conclusion An interplay of several underlying determinants and barriers impacts on PrEP uptake among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men, illustrating a social gradient in access to PrEP. We need equitable access to the full spectrum of HIV prevention and care for all priority populations, including undocumented migrants. We recommend social and structural conditions that foster exercising these rights, including adapting PrEP service delivery, mental health and social support.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Acceptable but not always accessible. Insights into barriers and facilitators in PrEP uptake and use among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men in Belgium

Landeghem

Dielen

Semaan

et al. 2022

Preprint

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show abstract

“…As is recommended internationally [ 104 , 105 , 106 , 107 ], behaviorally specific questions were used to provide reliable estimates of both female and male sexual victimization [ 107 ] for participants of different sexual orientations or gender identities or different cultures. The details of the validation procedure are described elsewhere (see [ 107 , 108 ]).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The OBS-S was used to assess minority stress experienced in relation to either ‘SOGI-related’ characteristics (i.e., sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or intersex or DSD condition) or ‘cultural-related’ characteristics (i.e., religion or life philosophy, skin color, and/or ethnicity). This newly developed version of the scale was validated for face-validity in the Belgian context (see [ 107 , 108 ] for more details).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minority Identity, Othering-Based Stress, and Sexual Violence

Schrijver

Fomenko

Krahé

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Background: Some (minority) groups (MGs) are more vulnerable to sexual violence (SV) exposure than others. Othering-based stress (OBS) may mediate the relationship between minority identification and SV. This study aims to assess the prevalence of SV in different MGs to explore the relationship between minority identification and SV, to investigate whether belonging to multiple MGs moderates this relationship, and to explore OBS SV moderation for different MGs. Method: Through an online survey administered to a nationally representative sample in Belgium, data was collected from 4632 persons, of whom 21.01% self-identified as belonging to a MG (SI-Minority). SV prevalence was measured using behaviorally specific questions based on the WHO definition of SV. SI-Minority participants received an additional scale on OBS. Results: SI-Minority participants reported more SV victimization compared to the non-minorities. However, this increased risk was not moderated by minority identification but linked to the socio-demographic SV risk markers common to minority individuals. Multiple-minority participants were found more at risk of SV compared to single-minority respondents. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, pan-/omnisexual, asexual, and other non-heterosexual (LGB+) participants were found more at risk than heterosexual participants. OBS was found to be significantly correlated to SV in sexual and gender minorities and in cultural minorities. Conclusions: This study contributes to our understanding of the relationship between minority identification, OBS, and SV. Studying both specific and common SV vulnerabilities and outcomes within specific societal subgroups and the general population may inform policy makers when allocating resources to those interventions with the largest societal impact.

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“…As is recommended internationally, behaviourally specific questions [71][72][73][74] were used to provide reliable estimates of both female and male sexual victimization 74 , for participants of different sexual orientations or gender identity or different cultures. The details of the validation procedure is described elsewhere (see 75 and 74 ).…”

Section: Assessment Of Sexual Violencementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although everyone can be impacted by these factors and are at risk of sexual victimization and perpetration, specific subgroups are more vulnerable for its exposure. The previously mentioned UN-MENAMAIS study 4 illustrated that not only applicants for international protection 47 and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other non-heterosexual (LGB+) persons 48…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disability and Sexual Violence

De Schrijver,

Fomenko,

Nobels

et al. 2023

Preprint

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An Assessment of the Proportion of LGB+ Persons in the Belgian Population, their Identification as Sexual Minority, Mental Health and Experienced Minority Stress

Cited by 4 publications

References 29 publications

Acceptable but not always accessible. Insights into barriers and facilitators in PrEP uptake and use among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men in Belgium

Acceptable but not always accessible. Insights into barriers and facilitators in PrEP uptake and use among migrant men and transwomen who have sex with men in Belgium

Minority Identity, Othering-Based Stress, and Sexual Violence

Disability and Sexual Violence

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