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Behavioral Sciences
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Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health
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Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health

A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Social Psychology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2024) | Viewed by 5715

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Catherine Meads

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Health, Education, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK
Interests: sexual orientation and health; gender identity and health; leading and managing systematic reviews and health technology assessments; systematic reviews in complex interventions, diagnostics, prognosis, causality and health service delivery; health technology assessments incorporating a variety of systematic reviews with economic evaluations
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are organising a Special Issue titled “Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health” in the MDPI journal, Behavioural Sciences.

Improving psychological and physical health, wellbeing, and healthcare experiences for sexual and gender minority people around the world is an important objective, as people from these groups often suffer from multiple disadvantages due to intersectional issues. By sexual and gender minority people, we refer to (and include) lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, MSM, WSW, MSWM, WSMW, trans, non-binary, intersex, queer or other non-heterosexual and/or non-cisgender people of all ages and ethnicities. Improving health and wellbeing is an important objective for all who aspire to reducing health inequities (i.e., inequalities that are considered preventable). As such, it is important to not only understand the various factors that contribute to both the mental and physical health/wellbeing of sexual and gender minority populations but also the mediators and moderators of these relationships. Given this focus, this Special Issue welcomes original and relevant contributions to this area of research. We are particularly interested in areas where little research has been previously published and will consider primary qualitative or quantitative research, secondary data analysis and systematic reviews. The following listed keywords suggest some of the many varied possibilities.

Prof. Dr. Catherine Meads
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sexual orientation
  • gender identity
  • LGBTQ+
  • asexuality
  • intersex
  • intersectionality issues
  • wellbeing
  • physical health
  • mental health
  • behaviours and risks
  • social determinants
  • health behaviour and health seeking
  • quality of life
  • economic evaluation
  • resilience
  • empowerment
  • social justice
  • self-efficacy
  • lived experience
  • health knowledge, attitudes and practice
  • health literacy
  • human and civil rights
  • health improvement
  • social inclusion and sense of community
  • social and community participation
  • mediators and moderators of health and wellbeing
  • education of health and social care professionals

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 819 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Role Models on Sexual Minority Women: A Qualitative Interview Study
by Khushi Mann, Salina Tesfamichael and Katharine A. Rimes
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121119 - 21 Nov 2024
Viewed by 247
Abstract
Sexual minority women (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, pansexual) have increased risk of experiencing various mental health problems compared to sexual minority men and heterosexual individuals. Sexual minority women (SMW) have also been found to have lower self-esteem than heterosexual women, which could contribute to [...] Read more.
Sexual minority women (e.g., lesbian, bisexual, pansexual) have increased risk of experiencing various mental health problems compared to sexual minority men and heterosexual individuals. Sexual minority women (SMW) have also been found to have lower self-esteem than heterosexual women, which could contribute to poorer mental health. Previous findings suggest that role models could potentially be used to improve LGBTQ+ wellbeing. The current exploratory study investigated SMW’s experiences about the impact of role models or the lack of them and their views about how role models could be used to increase the self-esteem of SMW in potential interventions. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 SMW. Using thematic analyses, four themes about characteristics of role models were developed: “Similar to me”, “Self-confident about being different”, “Strong and kind”, and “Source of learning and support”. Three themes about the impact of role models were identified: “Increased self-esteem”, “Inspiring personal growth”, and “Lack of role models: I don’t belong”. Content analyses indicated a wide range of ideas about how role models could be used within individual or group self-esteem interventions. Future research could apply these findings to develop or enhance interventions to increase the self-esteem of SMW. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health)
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13 pages, 521 KiB  
Article
Perceived Stress and Outness: Examining the Coping Mediation Framework Among Chinese LGBTQ+ Community
by Chenwei Ma and Jiangyu Li
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(11), 978; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14110978 - 22 Oct 2024
Viewed by 659
Abstract
Despite global progress in LGBTQ+ rights, sexual minorities in China face significant societal pressures and legal ambiguities, which remain poorly understood. This study explores the potential mediating role of proactive and preventive coping strategies in the relationship between perceived stress and outness levels [...] Read more.
Despite global progress in LGBTQ+ rights, sexual minorities in China face significant societal pressures and legal ambiguities, which remain poorly understood. This study explores the potential mediating role of proactive and preventive coping strategies in the relationship between perceived stress and outness levels among Chinese LGBTQ+ individuals. Survey data from 267 Chinese LGBTQ+ individuals aged 16–42 revealed high levels of perceived stress within this community. Both proactive and preventive coping strategies significantly mediated the negative impact of perceived stress on outness levels. These findings contribute to the understanding of LGBTQ+ community’s perceived stress and outness status in China, highlighting the need for inclusive policies and support systems to improve their mental health and social well-being. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health)
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16 pages, 272 KiB  
Article
‘Are We Gonna Have to Pretend to Be a Straight Couple?’: Examining the Specific Detriment that Cisgenderism Places on Non-Binary Adoption and Fostering Applicants in the United Kingdom
by Claire Brown
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 614; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14070614 - 19 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1086
Abstract
This exploratory qualitative study aimed to find out more about how the children’s social work system interacts with non-binary parents. It highlights the specific detriment that can be faced by non-binary people hoping to adopt or foster in the United Kingdom. Three key [...] Read more.
This exploratory qualitative study aimed to find out more about how the children’s social work system interacts with non-binary parents. It highlights the specific detriment that can be faced by non-binary people hoping to adopt or foster in the United Kingdom. Three key themes emerged: (1) Barriers for non-binary carers, (2) Prejudice in adoption and fostering matching processes and (3) Intersectional disadvantage. The study found that non-binary people experience specific detriment when endeavouring to start or grow their families, examining how cisgenderism operates to privilege some identities over others. Multiple barriers affect the way non-binary people try and navigate how their family lives in a society that is organised around binary gender identities. Cisgenderism can subtly and pervasively exert a devaluing of identities that sit outside of entrenched binary gender norms, influencing how people can understand and express their gender identities within society. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health)
15 pages, 1966 KiB  
Article
What Are the Economic Arguments for Mandating LGBT+ Health Training for Healthcare Providers? An Economic Evaluation of the Impacts of LGBT+ Health Training on Cervical Screening
by Saima Bashir, William Whittaker and Catherine Meads
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(3), 260; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14030260 - 21 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1381
Abstract
Background: Equitable access to healthcare is a priority of many healthcare systems, aiming to ensure access is driven by need and not minority groups such as those defined by sexual orientation. However, there are healthcare areas where inequity in access across sexual [...] Read more.
Background: Equitable access to healthcare is a priority of many healthcare systems, aiming to ensure access is driven by need and not minority groups such as those defined by sexual orientation. However, there are healthcare areas where inequity in access across sexual orientation groups is found that are not justified based on need. Mandated LGBTQ+-specific training of the healthcare workforce may help address some barriers of access for these groups. The study aims to understand the potential economic implications for mandated LGBTQ+-specific healthcare training on the healthcare system in England, UK to inform commissioning of training provision. Methods: Cervical cancer screening was used as an exemplar case where there appears to be inequity in access for different sexual orientation groups. A decision model was developed and analysed that considered the impacts of greater uptake of screening for lesbian and bisexual women due to LGBTQ+ training. Costs took the perspective of the healthcare system and outcomes modelled were cancer cases averted in a timeframe of 5 years. Results: Based on cervical cancer screening alone, where training costs are fully attributed to this service, training would likely result in fewer cancer cases detected in the lesbian and bisexual populations, though this comes at a modest increase in healthcare sector costs, with this increase largely reflecting a greater volume of screens. Training costs do not appear to be a major component of the cost implications. Conclusions: In resource-constrained systems with increasing pressures for efficiency savings, the opportunity cost of delivering training is a realistic component of the commissioning decision. The findings in this paper provide a signal that mandated LGBTQ+ training in healthcare could lead to potentially greater outcomes and in breaking down barriers of access and could also enable the healthcare system to provide more equitable access to healthcare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health)
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Other

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29 pages, 917 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Impact of Role Models and Mentors on the Mental and Physical Wellbeing of Sexual and Gender Minorities
by Jason Cottle, Anna L. Drozdik and Katharine A. Rimes
Behav. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14050417 - 15 May 2024
Viewed by 1628
Abstract
Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) experience a higher mental health burden compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. Role models and mentors are important for wellbeing and development; however, little evidence exists exploring their impact on SGM people. This systematic scoping review identifies their [...] Read more.
Sexual and gender minorities (SGMs) experience a higher mental health burden compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. Role models and mentors are important for wellbeing and development; however, little evidence exists exploring their impact on SGM people. This systematic scoping review identifies their association with mental and physical wellbeing. Eight databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, ERIC, Science Citation Index, Scopus, EPub and PsychInfo) were searched for eligible publications from 2000 to 2022. Two researchers identified studies, extracted data, completed quality appraisals using CASP checklists, and grouped data into outcomes relating to role model impact. From 501 citations, 12 studies (n = 1468 SGM people aged 15–63 years) were included. Positive role models and mentors encouraged identity acceptance through destigmatisation and positive affirmation, increased SGMs’ psychological wellbeing through improved psychological safety and self-confidence and improved their sexual health knowledge. Potential role models and mentors displaying negative behaviours could cause stigmatisation, as well as reduce identity acceptance and psychological safety. Information regarding the perceived influence of role models and mentors on substance abuse and other physical health outcomes was limited. SGMs report greater benefits from relationships with others of shared minority status, providing incentives to match mentees with role models and mentors who share or empathise with their experiences of marginalization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Contemporary Perspectives on LGBTQ Psychology and Health)
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