Jones Bethany A, Bowe Mhairi, McNamara Niamh, Guerin Ella, Carter Tim
Department of Psychology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK.
School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Int J Transgend Health. 2021 Mar 1;24(3):292-304. doi: 10.1080/26895269.2021.1890301. eCollection 2023.
Both anxiety and depression have been identified as negative health outcomes associated with the distressing nature of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially among young people. Within this age demographic, trans and gender diverse people may be particularly vulnerable to pandemic-related mental health outcomes, such as anxiety and depression, due to the social challenges, gender dissonance, and poor mental health they experience. Furthermore, the social distancing measures impose several unique social and help-seeking challenges which may further contribute to the worsening of mental health. While there has been acknowledgment that vulnerable populations may be disproportionally affected by the pandemic, the experiences of trans and gender diverse youth have received very little empirical attention.
To explore the mental health impact of Covid-19 on the lives of young trans and gender diverse people in the UK.
In total, 243 people took part in an online survey between May and July in 2020. Eighty-two people were removed due to providing insufficient data. The analyzed dataset therefore comprised of 161 respondents ranging from 16 to 25 years ( = 20; = 2.68). Participants were asked how social distancing measures had impact on their social lives, mental health and access to health services. They were also asked to complete validated measures of anxiety and depression.
This study found that those who experienced a greater impact of the Covid-19 outbreak and its associated social distancing measures, reported poorer mental health. Lack of social support, negative interpersonal interactions, unsupportive and non-affirming living environments and the inability to access mental health support and gender-affirming interventions were all factors that were associated with poor mental health.
The findings provide specific direction for the tailoring of mental health service delivery to this population, noting the need for private, safe spaces in which young people can feel supported and have their gender identity affirmed.
焦虑和抑郁均被视为与新冠疫情的痛苦性质相关的负面健康后果，尤其是在年轻人当中。在这个年龄群体中，跨性别者和性别多样化者可能特别容易受到与疫情相关的心理健康问题的影响，如焦虑和抑郁，这是由于他们所经历的社会挑战、性别不协调以及心理健康状况不佳。此外，社交距离措施带来了一些独特的社会和寻求帮助的挑战，这可能会进一步导致心理健康状况恶化。虽然人们已经认识到弱势群体可能受到疫情的影响尤为严重，但跨性别和性别多样化青年的经历却很少受到实证关注。
探讨新冠疫情对英国跨性别和性别多样化青年生活的心理健康影响。
2020年5月至7月期间，共有243人参与了一项在线调查。由于提供的数据不足，82人被排除在外。因此，分析的数据集包括161名年龄在16至25岁之间的受访者（平均年龄=20岁；标准差=2.68）。参与者被问及社交距离措施如何影响他们的社交生活、心理健康以及获得医疗服务的机会。他们还被要求完成焦虑和抑郁的有效测量。
本研究发现，那些受到新冠疫情爆发及其相关社交距离措施影响较大的人，心理健康状况较差。缺乏社会支持、负面的人际互动、不支持和不肯定的生活环境以及无法获得心理健康支持和性别肯定干预都是与心理健康不佳相关的因素。
研究结果为针对这一人群提供心理健康服务提供了具体指导，指出需要提供私密、安全的空间，让年轻人能感受到支持并确认其性别认同。
