Encountering sexual and gender minority youth in healthcare: an integrative review

Laiti, Minna; Pakarinen, Anni; Parisod, Heidi; Salanterä, Sanna; Sariola, Salla

doi:10.1017/s146342361900001x

Cited by 16 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, many also experience significant mental distress and poor physical health outcomes compared to the general youth population [3,11]. This can result from the enduring stigma towards gender and sexuality diversity that can impact their access to and experiences within social and health services, such as compromised trust in providers and avoidance of care [12,13]. The social marginalization of sexuality and gender diversity creates and heightens minority stress for rainbow people, [14,15] leading to compounding physical and mental health impacts [16,17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“We Just Want to Be Treated Normally and to Have That Healthcare That Comes along with It”: Rainbow Young People’s Experiences of Primary Care in Aotearoa New Zealand

Ker

Gardiner

Carroll

et al. 2022

Youth

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There is growing recognition that primary care provision plays a pivotal role in improving health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ (rainbow) youth, but few studies have centered on youth experiences of primary care in Aotearoa New Zealand. This study aimed to explore the experiences and perspectives of rainbow youth when engaging with primary care. Two focus groups were held in 2021 with eleven rainbow young people aged 13–23 years recruited with assistance from local rainbow support organizations in Aotearoa NZ. Groups were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (i) anticipated and enacted discrimination, (ii) building trust, (iii) confidentiality and (iv) healthcare provider knowledge and competence. Participants spoke of some positive experiences but perceived these to be lucky or surprising, with most also having encountered less supportive interactions and heteronormative views. Visual indicators of rainbow-friendliness in clinic settings were appreciated only if affirmed by inclusive and accepting practice. Frustrations were expressed about gaps in provider knowledge and the sense of having to educate clinicians about rainbow-specific health issues. Primary care providers can facilitate positive consultations with rainbow young people by using clear communication to build trusting relationships, and by being accepting, non-judgmental and transparent about confidentiality.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“We Just Want to Be Treated Normally and to Have That Healthcare That Comes along with It”: Rainbow Young People’s Experiences of Primary Care in Aotearoa New Zealand

Ker

Gardiner

Carroll

et al. 2022

Youth

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“…This shows how understanding of sexuality and gender may have moved beyond conventional sexual orientation and gender identity categories: LGBTQþ students rather see identities as fluid descriptions of their present selves without categorizing themselves too strictly (Paasonen & Spišák, 2018). The presence of gender minority students in our study is also novel since gender minorities are often underrepresented in school health studies (Laiti et al, 2019). This diversity may challenge the discussions about the development of sexuality and gender in school nursing practice since sexual orientation and gender identity may be more complex (Bosse & Chiodo, 2016;Paasonen & Spišák, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

LGBTQ+ Students’ Experiences of Junior High School Nursing in Finland: A Qualitative Study

Laiti

Parisod

Pakarinen

et al. 2020

The Journal of School Nursing

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Previous research shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and other (LGBTQ+) students can experience substantial emotional- and health-related issues at school, but research into LGBTQ+ students’ experiences of school nursing is limited. This qualitative study describes the experiences of Finnish LGBTQ+ students engaging with junior high school nurses. Data were collected from 35 LGBTQ+ students using an online survey tool comprising of a set of open-ended questions. Two interconnecting themes were identified following thematic analysis: (1) junior high school nurse engagement: a mixed or unsatisfactory experience and (2) LGBTQ+ students’ needs for diversity-affirming junior high school nursing. Findings show that LGBQT+ students felt junior high school nurse engagement was often unsupportive with issues around their sexuality and gender identity. LGBTQ+ students expressed the need for diversity-affirming information and support in school settings. Further research from school nurses’ perspective is needed to increase understanding of this topic.

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“…However, global data reveal increased risk of poor mental health, discrimination, violence, victimisation, and higher rates of suicide as well as substance use among young LGBTQ + populations [ 4 – 8 ]. LGBTQ + individuals also face specific challenges related to their identity during adolescence – such as internalising negative societal messages of gender and sex as part of their self-image – and they could benefit from the support of health professionals to tackle them [ 9 – 11 ]. Consequently, health disparities persist and reflect larger sociostructural inequities which negatively impact the health of LGBTQ + young people around the world [ 2 , 3 , 9 , 12 , 13 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Bending’ against straightening devices: queer lived experiences of sexuality and sexual health in Bangladesh

Alam

Marston

2023

BMC Public Health

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Background Despite global data around increased health risks among sexual and gender diverse populations, lived experiences of young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and others (LGBTQ+) people are often ignored in mainstream health research. This is particularly evident in countries such as Bangladesh where the rights of sexual minorities are not recognised. This article looks at queer lived experiences of sexuality and sexual health within such a context. We use the phenomenological framework of heteronormative ‘straightening devices’ – mechanisms working to direct people towards heterosexuality, gender conformity, and procreative marriage – to identify ‘invisible’ structures upholding normative sexual behaviours and see how young people in Bangladesh navigate these in their everyday lives. Methods This article is based on qualitative data collected in Dhaka, Bangladesh over nine months in 2019 as part of the first author’s doctoral research. Using thematic analysis, we draw on experiences of normative sexual expectations from biographical in-depth interviews with 14 purposively sampled LGBTQ + individuals aged 18 to 24. Results Respondents identified heteronormative expectations around gender norms of traditional behaviour and presentation for men and women as well as parental expectations of compulsory heterosexuality through marriage. These straightening devices existed at multiple levels, including individual, interpersonal, community, and societal. The four main themes around straightening devices include marriage norms for women; harassment of feminine-presenting bodies in public spaces; heteronormative healthcare; and consequences of not embodying heteronormativity. Conclusion Our study highlighted young people’s everyday experiences of having to ‘bend’ to – and against – heteronormative straightening devices at home, in public spaces, and within institutions such as healthcare in Bangladesh. The exploration of queer experiences provides new insights into context-specific ways in which sexual and gender diverse people understand themselves. Further research using the framework of straightening devices can help public health professionals to identify more ‘barriers’ confronted by sexual and gender diverse young people.

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Encountering sexual and gender minority youth in healthcare: an integrative review

Cited by 16 publications

References 43 publications

“We Just Want to Be Treated Normally and to Have That Healthcare That Comes along with It”: Rainbow Young People’s Experiences of Primary Care in Aotearoa New Zealand

“We Just Want to Be Treated Normally and to Have That Healthcare That Comes along with It”: Rainbow Young People’s Experiences of Primary Care in Aotearoa New Zealand

LGBTQ+ Students’ Experiences of Junior High School Nursing in Finland: A Qualitative Study

‘Bending’ against straightening devices: queer lived experiences of sexuality and sexual health in Bangladesh

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