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PloS One 2024Research arising from conversion practices, also known as conversion therapy and sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts, has generally been underpinned by...
Research arising from conversion practices, also known as conversion therapy and sexual orientation and gender identity change efforts, has generally been underpinned by an emancipatory discourse that has evolved to counter harmful practices by evidencing associated harms and estimating prevalence. Little attention, however, has focused on what is required to support survivors, inclusive of those currently or those having previously experienced conversion efforts. Within a context of Aotearoa New Zealand having recently criminalised conversion practices, this study adopted an in-depth qualitative research design, informed by a dual adherence to life history and an empowerment methodology. Twenty-three religious conversion practice survivors, who had experienced religious conversion practices across a range of Christian identified faith settings, were interviewed. Participants had a median age of 34 and the majority identified as New Zealand European, cisgender, and gay. Participant narratives were discursively analysed. Three primary discourses were identified that inform the needed development of interventions and supports: 1) pervasive framing of conversion practices as harm, rather than spiritual abuse, has minimised the impacts of conversion practices. Rather, conceptualising conversion as spiritual abuse positions conversion practices as requiring urgent intervention and ongoing support, inclusive of the development of policy and operational responses; 2) the coercive nature of spiritual abuse needs to be appreciated in terms of spiritual, social, and structural entrapment; 3) the metaphor of a pipeline was enlisted to encapsulate the need for a multidimensional array of interventions to ensure those entrapped within spiritual abuse have a "pipeline to safety". Holistic survivor-centric conversion-related responses to spiritual abuse are required. These need to be informed by an understanding of entrapment and the associated need for holistic responses, inclusive of extraction pathways and support for those entrenched within abusive religious settings, support immediately after leaving abusive environments, and support throughout the survivors' healing journeys.
Topics: Humans; New Zealand; Male; Female; Adult; Middle Aged; Spirituality; Qualitative Research; Gender Identity; Young Adult; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 38691525
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302163 -
Annals of Plastic Surgery May 2024The use of visuals to inquire about gender in the clinical setting has been rare. We developed a survey that included a visual spectrum to assess perceptions about the...
PURPOSE
The use of visuals to inquire about gender in the clinical setting has been rare. We developed a survey that included a visual spectrum to assess perceptions about the most and least inclusive ways of inquiring about gender in patients with gender dysphoria.
METHODS
The survey included a multiple-choice question (MCQ), free-response question, and a visual spectrum on which respondents were asked to select one box that best depicts their gender. The survey was administered to all patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria at our institution between April and June 2022.
RESULTS
A total of 223 of 856 patients responded. Those with more masculine gender identities selected boxes near the visual spectrum corner of "man," whereas responses were more variable for more feminine genders. The free-response question was identified by 59% of respondents as the most inclusive. The MCQ was identified as least inclusive by 70.4%. The visual spectrum was considered the most inclusive method by the majority of patients who self-identified as woman and demiwoman/demifemale. Being asked about pronouns was extremely or very important in the health care setting for 52% of respondents, but 68.6% indicated that they are rarely or sometimes asked about their pronouns in this setting.
CONCLUSIONS
The traditional MCQ format for self-identifying gender may be lacking in inclusivity and fails to represent the nuances of gender identity. Free response was considered the most inclusive way to inquire about gender among our respondents. These findings highlight the importance of formatting gender identity questionnaires to foster inclusivity for transgender patients.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Gender Identity; Gender Dysphoria; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adult; Middle Aged; Transgender Persons
PubMed: 38689419
DOI: 10.1097/SAP.0000000000003805 -
Social Science & Medicine (1982) Jun 2024The inclusion of "something else" as a response option for survey questions about sexual identity has been shown to significantly moderate estimated differences between... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Does the approach used to measure sexual identity affect estimates of health disparities differently by race? A randomized experiment from the National Survey of Family Growth.
The inclusion of "something else" as a response option for survey questions about sexual identity has been shown to significantly moderate estimated differences between sexual identity subgroups in the distributions of various health outcomes in national health surveys, specifically for substance use/misuse and reproductive health. This moderation effect may be larger depending on the respondent's race, possibly due to the intersectionality of multiple minority identities and compounding minority stressors. To test this hypothesis, we conducted secondary analyses of data from five consecutive years of the National Survey of Family Growth (2015-2019) [n = 18,903 (8510 males, 10,393 females)] in the United States, where respondents were randomly assigned to receive either a four-category version of the sexual identity question that included "something else" as a response option along with lesbian/gay, bisexual, and heterosexual, or a three-category version that omitted "something else." We focused on model-based estimates of distributions of health outcomes across subgroups defined by both race and sexual identity and tested the race moderation hypothesis using three-way interactions involving sexual identity, question type received (four-category vs. three-category), and race (Black, White, and other). Based on this randomized experiment, we found evidence of significant differences between the four-category and three-category question versions of sexual identity, in terms of the associations between sexual identity and several health outcomes, along with moderation of these differences by the respondent's race. For some outcomes, such as wanting a child or another child, the magnitudes of the estimated sexual identity differences among racial minority individuals, specifically between bisexual and heterosexual women, were sensitive to the measurement of sexual identity. These results further suggest a need for improved sexual minority measurement, especially among racial minorities. These differences were also mostly found among women, suggesting further intersectionality of groups exposed to specific stressors.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; United States; Adult; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Health Status Disparities; Racial Groups; Surveys and Questionnaires; Adolescent; Gender Identity; Young Adult; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38678646
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116887 -
Lancet (London, England) Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Neoplasms; Female; Male; Biomedical Research; Sex Factors; Gender Identity
PubMed: 38677852
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00593-2 -
Pediatric Neurology Jun 2024Functional tic disorders are among the least common functional movement disorders, but their prevalence rose during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic....
BACKGROUND
Functional tic disorders are among the least common functional movement disorders, but their prevalence rose during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Although female adolescents develop functional neurological disorders at higher rates than males, investigations into sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) status of these patients are limited.
METHODS
We completed a retrospective, cross-sectional time series examining the incidence of new-onset functional tic disorders in youth presenting to the Massachusetts General Hospital Movement Disorder clinics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected by searching for relevant International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 diagnostic codes in youth aged nine to 26 years using a hospital-wide data repository. Individual cases were reviewed for inclusion based on clinical criteria and expert consensus.
RESULTS
The prevalence of functional tic presentations in youth rose 8.6-fold from pre- to postpandemic levels (Fisher exact test P < 0.001), whereas the prevalence of developmental tic presentations pre- and postpandemic remained stable (114 vs 112). SOGI minority youth comprised 37% of those with functional tics (total n = 19). Ninety five percent of patients with functional tics identified as female, with 10% of these identifying as transgender.
CONCLUSIONS
Our data confirm previously demonstrated dramatic rises in functional tic presentations during the COVID-19 pandemic and, more notably, reveal a strong association with SOGI minority status. We highlight the potential link between functional tic disorders and SOGI minority status. Providing a safe and supportive clinical environment and addressing stress linked to SOGI minority status may help to improve patient prognosis.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Adolescent; Female; Male; Retrospective Studies; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Young Adult; Tic Disorders; Adult; Sexual Behavior; Prevalence; Gender Identity; Massachusetts
PubMed: 38677240
DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.03.027 -
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva Apr 2024Promoting sexual and reproductive health in the context of transmasculinity constitutes a new issue for health service organisation. This integrative review sought to... (Review)
Review
Promoting sexual and reproductive health in the context of transmasculinity constitutes a new issue for health service organisation. This integrative review sought to understand the current evidence on pregnancy in transsexual men in the context of sexual and reproductive health care. From a search of the BVS, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Capes, SciELO and PEPSIC databases, from 2010 to 2020, a sample of 11 articles was selected, treated by content analysis and grouped into four analytical categories: health services - positive experiences; cis heteronormative health services; implications of pregnancy for transsexual bodies; and repercussions of gender-affirming therapy and pregnancy. A cis heteronormative logic was found to predominate in health care, leading to negative experiences during antenatal care and childbirth among transsexual men. Their unique health needs during the pregnancy-puerperium cycle should include mental health care. It is suggested that strategies be adopted to build capacity in health professionals with a view to respectful, inclusive perinatal care for this population group, as well as further studies on the subject.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Transgender Persons; Male; Prenatal Care; Transsexualism; Perinatal Care; Reproductive Health Services; Reproductive Health
PubMed: 38655969
DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232024294.19612023 -
Ciencia & Saude Coletiva Apr 2024This qualitative study, with five participating interlocutors, sought to understand the senses and meanings of parenting among trans men who became pregnant before...
This qualitative study, with five participating interlocutors, sought to understand the senses and meanings of parenting among trans men who became pregnant before gender transition. Analysis was conducted in light of social theories of gender. The results demonstrated an experience of parenthood subject to a field of tensions and negotiations, as well as subjective production that oscillated between transgression and accommodation of the cultural perspective of their own experience. The forms of violence found to be practiced reiterated social vulnerabilities, exposed healthcare service weaknesses and produced harmful effects on transgender men who become pregnant before gender transition.
Topics: Humans; Male; Transgender Persons; Pregnancy; Female; Parenting; Adult; Qualitative Research; Parents; Violence; Gender Identity
PubMed: 38655967
DOI: 10.1590/1413-81232024294.19532023 -
Hormones and Behavior Jun 2024Sex/gender differences in personality associated with gender stereotyped behavior are widely studied in psychology yet remain a subject of ongoing debate. Exposure to...
Sex/gender differences in personality associated with gender stereotyped behavior are widely studied in psychology yet remain a subject of ongoing debate. Exposure to testosterone during developmental periods is considered to be a primary mediator of many sex/gender differences in behavior. Extensions of this research has led to both lay beliefs and initial research about individual differences in basal testosterone in adulthood relating to "masculine" personality. In this study, we explored the relationships between testosterone, gender identity, and gender stereotyped personality attributes in a sample of over 400 university students (65 % female assigned at birth). Participants provided ratings of their self-perceived masculinity and femininity, resulting in a continuous measure of gender identity, and a set of agentic and communal personality attributes. A saliva sample was also provided for assay of basal testosterone. Results showed no compelling evidence that basal testosterone correlates with gender-stereotyped personality attributes or explains the relationship between sex/gender identity and these attributes, across, within, or covarying out sex assigned at birth. Contributing to a more gender diverse approach to assessing sex/gender relationships with personality and testosterone, our continuous measure of self-perceived masculinity and femininity predicted additional variance in personality beyond binary sex and showed some preliminary but weak relationships with testosterone. Results from this study cast doubt on the activational testosterone-masculinity hypothesis for explaining sex differences in gender stereotyped traits and within-sex/gender variation in attributes associated with agency and communality.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Testosterone; Personality; Gender Identity; Young Adult; Adult; Stereotyping; Adolescent; Masculinity; Saliva; Femininity; Self Concept; Sex Characteristics
PubMed: 38652981
DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105540 -
Breastfeeding Medicine : the Official... May 2024
Topics: Humans; Female; Gender Identity; Language; Breast Feeding; Male
PubMed: 38651592
DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2024.0114 -
Lancet (London, England) Apr 2024
Topics: Humans; Gender Identity; Female; Transgender Persons; Male; United Kingdom; Health Care Reform
PubMed: 38643770
DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)00808-0