Cisheteronormativity and its influence on the psychosocial experience of LGBTQ+ people with cancer: A qualitative systematic review

Abstract

Objective Cisheteronormativity refers to the relationship of heterosexual and cisgender privilege stemming from patriarchy. Although studies have shown that cisheteronormativity can impact health outcomes for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and other sexual, gender diverse, and gender nonconforming (LGBTQ+) people, the specific impact on cancer care has not been described. We synthesized the qualitative evidence on how cisheteronormativity impacts the psychosocial experience of LGBTQ+ people with cancer. Methods We conducted a historic search in the CINAHL, LGBT+ Health, PsycInfo, and PubMed databases. Qualitative studies that described the psychosocial experience of LGBTQ+ people with cancer were included. After appraising the quality of the publications, 11 articles were included. Then, we conducted inductive nominal coding, taxonomic analysis, and thematic synthesis. Results Two main themes emerged, (1) Cisheteronormativity as a social determinant of health, and (2) Cancer, sexual orientation, and gender: Associations and introjections. The themes comprise four categories and 13 subcategories that describe the impact of cisheteronormativity on the cancer experience of LGBTQ+ people. Conclusion Cisheteronormativity within the healthcare system impacts the psychosocial experience of LGBTQ+ people with cancer. Understanding how these gender biases, norms, and social expectations impact the cancer experience is necessary to transform social norms and promote health equity.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment in racial and ethnic minority groups: a scoping review

“…Cancer disparities are social, environmental, and economic factors that generate a disadvantage and disproportionate burden in certain groups (National Cancer Institute 2020). Systemic oppressors (e.g., structural racism, cisheteronormativity) have been proposed as factors that generate such disparities (Boyd et al 2020;Franco-Rocha et al 2023b). In particular, race and ethnicity are social constructs used to group human beings based on characteristics such as their physical appearance, social factors, and cultural backgrounds to classify, distinguish, and marginalize people (Bonham 2023).…”

Toward diverse SOGIESC‐transformative theorizing in nursing: A revisitation and expansion of Im and Meleis' guidelines for gender‐sensitive theorizing

“…Aside from exposing and critiquing patriarchal structures, contemporary feminism has also identified cisheteronormativity as another form of structural violence that stems from patriarchy and amplifies the burden of women and gender and sexual minorities (McCloud & West, 2023). Cisheteronormativity is the hegemonic ideology that institutionalizes the privilege of cisgenderism and heterosexuality and marginalizes the gender and sexuality of non-conforming persons (Franco-Rocha et al, 2023).…”