Sexual and Gender Identity Development in Young Adults and Implications for Healthcare (original) (raw)
Related papers
Encountering sexual and gender minority youth in healthcare: an integrative review
Primary Health Care Research & Development, 2019
Aim To describe the encounters with sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth in healthcare based on the existing research. Background The development of sexual orientation and gender identity can create challenges in an SGM youth’s life, and they may need support from health professionals. Heteronormativity has been recognised as a barrier to the identification of diversity in sexuality and gender, and no previous literature review has studied heteronormativity thoroughly. Methods An integrative review following Whittemore and Knafl was conducted. A literature search was systematically undertaken in six databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Eric, and Academic Search Premier). Finally, 18 research articles were included. Data were analysed deductively with the theoretical framework from Stevi Jackson’s (2006) article to understand the role of heteronormativity in the healthcare of SGM youth. Findings The encounters with SGM youth consisted of two simultaneous t...
Adolescent health care experience of gay, lesbian, and bisexual young adults
Journal of Adolescent Health, 1998
Subjects were 102 self-identified gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth aged 18 -23 years. A confidential self-administered survey elicited demographic information, sexual orientation information, health care experiences, subjects' understanding of medical confidentiality during ages 14 -18 years, and their suggestions for improving care to gay and lesbian adolescents.
Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2023
ABSTRACT: The idea of “detransition” is stimulating debates among researchers and providers working with trans and nonbinary youth (TNBY), but research on this phenomenon is still in its early stages. This study presents the characteristics and experiences of providers who work directly with TNBY, including some who have discontinued a transition. Sixty-one providers in trans health care were recruited internationally and responded to an online survey. They come from various regions of the world and disciplines and 77% worked according to the trans-affirming approach. Sixty-four percent of them had followed a youth who dis- continued their transition. Among those, 82% reported a range of 1–5 youth in their entire career. Professionals reported their observations of discontinuation with regard to the youth’s individual character- istics, and parental and social support. The results suggest that professionals had experience with youth who had discontinued regardless of their approach to intervention (e.g., trans-affirming, watchful waiting, or exploratory) and have observed a diversity of characteristics when describing the youth they followed. KEYWORDS: detransition, discontinuation of transition, trans and nonbinary youth, trans care providers, youth characteristics PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: We found that professionals who have followed trans and nonbinary youth (TNBY) who have since dis- continued their gender transition practice according to a range of intervention approaches (trans-affirm- ing, wait and see, or other approaches) and that more than half have over 5 years of experience in trans health care. Observations from their practice show that youth present varied individual characteristics, as well as levels of parental and social support, pointing toward a diversity of experiences and pathways among youth who were followed by the providers. Our results suggest that future research should exam- ine how to best support youth, whatever their gender journey or the outcome, rather than preventing it.
Sexual and Gender Minority Health: What We Know and What Needs to Be Done
American Journal of Public Health, 2008
We describe the emergence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) health as a key area of study and practice for clinicians and public health professionals. We discuss the specific needs of LGBT populations on the basis of the most recent epidemiological and clinical investigations, methods for defining and measuring LGBT populations, and the barriers they face in obtaining appropriate care and services. We then discuss how clinicians and public health professionals can improve research methods, clinical outcomes, and service delivery for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
Essential aspects and practical implications of sexual identity
Sexual identity is a multidimensional construct that includes sex identity, gender identity, socio-sexual identity, and erotic identity. Sexual identity has theoretical and practical implications for sexual and reproductive health. For adults, concordance among biological sex, gender and role identity, and erotic identity is expected. However, 10% of the general population reports itself as non-heterosexual and another significant percent shows discordant sexual behavior with sexual identity. This narrative review clarifies the concepts of sexual identity, gender identity, socio-sexual identity, and erotic identity and presents some practical issues of an inappropriate use of these constructs in public health.
Affirming patterns of adolescent sexual identity: the challenge
Journal of Family Therapy, 1999
Issues concerning sexual identity are not uncommon in therapy with adolescents, although they may manifest in a variety of ways. For young people who have experienced same-gender attractions or sexual experiences there is the question of how to absorb these experiences within the construction of a coherent sexual identity. In many cases the family context plays an important role in sexual identity formation and acceptance. Therapists too may play an important role in terms of two key aspects of sexual identity formation: self-definition and disclosure. Family therapists in particular occupy a unique position with respect to the adolescent and his or her family, opening up not only potential opportunities but also potential risks in practice. Practice issues are identified and explored in this paper.
Adolescent gender identity and sexual orientation: a school-based correlational study
Brazilian Journal of Health Review
Adolescents are increasingly encouraged to freely express their sexuality. The purpose of this study was to compare non-cisgender adolescents with cisgender/heterosexual adolescents and those who have an undefined gender identity and/or sexual orientation, on their future prospects, emotional state, sexuality, risk behaviors, and their perception of health care and its accessibility. Adolescents who identify as non-cisgender/heterosexual seem to have higher future aspirations, however, they have a more unstable emotional state, higher risky behaviors, and fear being prejudiced by health care professionals. The undefined group appears to be undefined about their sexuality and future aspirations, while reporting less risky behaviors.
Effects of gender identity on experiences of healthcare for sexual minority women
Journal of LGBT health research, 2007
While research examining healthcare experiences of sexual minority individuals is growing, thus far research has been limited on lesbian gender identity and its relationship to physical and mental health. This study explores access to and experiences of healthcare with a sample of 516 butch and femme identified lesbian and bisexual women. In comparison to femme-identified women, it was found that butch women had routine gynecological examinations significantly less frequently, perceived poorer treatment in healthcare settings, were more likely to be out within healthcare settings, placed more importance on securing LGBT-positive healthcare practitioners, and had more difficulty finding LGBT-positive medical doctors. No differences were found for mental health. The results suggest that butch women may be more at risk for physical health concerns than femme women, in particular those illnesses that can be prevented or treated with regular gynecological care (e.g., uterine or cervical ...
Health Care Disparities Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: A Literature Review
Cureus, 2017
About 3.5% Americans identify themselves as lesbian, gay, or bisexual while 0.3% identify themselves as transgender. The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community belongs to almost every race, ethnicity, religion, age, and socioeconomic group. The LGBT youth are at a higher risk for substance use, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), cancers, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, bullying, isolation, rejection, anxiety, depression, and suicide as compared to the general population. LGBT youth receive poor quality of care due to stigma, lack of healthcare providers' awareness, and insensitivity to the unique needs of this community. The main objective of this literature review is to highlight the challenges faced by the LGBT youth and to enhance the awareness among physicians about the existing disparities in order to provide a more comprehensive, evidence-based, and humane medical care to this community.