Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Asian Americans in the United States: Experiences of Violence, Discrimination, and Family Support

Moving beyond vulnerability and focusing on resilience: An intersectional posttraumatic growth model for LGBTQ+ people of color

In the context of the legacy of deficit-focused research and application of theoretical models in research on minoritized groups that are underrepresented in the literature, we explored the strengths-based literature among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people of color to develop a more inclusive and relevant understanding of how posttraumatic growth (PTG) occurs in this population. Our intersectional PTG model is tailored to the experiences of LGBTQ+ people of color that builds upon previous models of PTG, intersectionality theory, and empirical findings of trauma and PTG among LGBTQ+ people of color. Our intersectional PTG model incorporates the unique intrapersonal, interpersonal, institutional, and cultural factors that are unique to this population and contribute to PTG. We challenge the limited scope of Criterion A traumatic events and emphasize empirical findings that support that LGBTQ+ people of color often experience posttraumatic stress after oppression and discrimination. Our model also recognizes the impact of intersecting risk factors, such as gendered racism, that may occur on various levels. Our model acknowledges that LGBTQ+ people of color have often demonstrated PTG in the face of adversity. Intrapersonal factors such as cognitive flexibility, interpersonal factors such as social support, and institutional and cultural factors such as identity-related activism are identified as key contributors to resilience. We discuss practice implications, highlighting that clinicians should recognize limitations of traditional trauma frameworks and adopt culturally sensitive approaches when working with LGBTQ+ people of color. Overall, our model provides a foundation for strengths-based interventions and research, emphasizing resiliency and potential for PTG in this population.

Embodying loving kindness: Examining self-compassionate writing tasks and body satisfaction among transgender and non-binary people

Using an experimental posttest-only control group design, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of self-compassionate writing exercises on transgender and non-binary participants' body satisfaction, gender identity pride, and internalized transphobia. A total of 238 transgender people participated in this study (Mage = 28.27, SD = 8.12). Participants were randomly assigned to a self-compassionate writing task focusing on their gender identity, a self-compassionate writing task focusing on their body image as a transgender person (i.e., gendered body image), and a control condition, which required them to write about a neutral day in their lives. Results demonstrated that those in the gendered body image self-compassionate condition reported higher state-level effects of body satisfaction following the intervention than those in the control condition. No significant effects were observed for condition on state-level gender identity pride or internalized transphobia. Results also demonstrated that non-binary participants reported higher levels of gender identity pride than trans femme participants. Exploratory post-hoc analyses revealed that gender identity pride moderated the effect of condition on body satisfaction. Compared to those in the control condition, participants in the gendered body self-compassionate condition with moderate and high levels of gender identity pride reported higher levels of body satisfaction. Results demonstrate potential beneficial effects of brief self-compassionate writing exercises on transgender peoples' body satisfaction.

Gender Self-Identification: Opinions About Transgender Women from a National Online Survey in Taiwan

Gender self-identification (transgender) is not permitted in most Asian countries. In Taiwan, individuals recognized as transgender must meet requirements mandated by the Gender Recognition Act. Currently, lifting the requirement for proof of sex-reassignment surgery is pending. The aim of this study was to survey a large sample of Taiwanese to gain a better understanding of the general population's attitudes toward gender self-identification. A self-report survey, entitled "Opinions of Gender Self-Identification," collected demographic information and responses (agree = 1, disagree = 0) to 14 statements about transgender women and women's safety, personal rights, and the law; one statement discussed rights of transgender men to give birth; total scores ranged from 0 to 14. The online survey was distributed to non-government organizations across Taiwan and the Taiwanese islands and was available between April 16 and 30, 2022. Most of the 10,158 respondents were female (77.4%); ages of respondents ranged from 15 to > 65 years. The mean total score was 0.95 ± 2.27, indicating respondents strongly disagreed with support for transgender females; 91.56% disagreed with all statements. Although there were significant differences in scores between parents and non-parents, and those ≤ 35 years versus ≥ 36 years (p < .01), all strongly disagreed with gender self-identification. Given the majority of respondents were females, survey findings should be regarded with caution. Public acceptance of gender self-identification requires support from its residents. Our findings suggest that gender self-identification has not begun to approach even a moderate level of public support among survey respondents.

The Hidden Pandemic: Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Trauma Cases Due to Domestic Violence Admitted to the Biggest Level-One Trauma Center in Austria

BACKGROUND

An alarming increase in domestic violence was reported during the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. The aim of this study is to investigate changes in the frequency and the nature of domestic violence at the largest level-one trauma center in Austria.

METHODS

All patients admitted to our institution with domestic violence injuries 15 months before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic were included. For our analysis, we investigated the frequency of trauma patients after domestic violence in relation to all other trauma patients. Furthermore, age, sex, citizenship, injury pattern, injured body regions, injury mechanism, offender-victim relationship, and hospitalization rate were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Among all trauma patients admitted, the ratio of patients who reported domestic violence injuries increased from 0.465% to 0.548% since the start of the pandemic. In addition, out of the total count of domestic violence victims, the percentage of Austrian citizens increased significantly from 51.2% to 60.6% (p = 0.016). All other parameters showed no significant changes pre and post-pandemic.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to a relative increase in patients with domestic violence injuries at the largest trauma unit in Austria, along with a significant increase among Austrian citizens. The remaining study parameters did not differ significantly, indicating that the frequency changed during the pandemic but not the underlying pattern of domestic violence.

Intersectional discrimination and its impact on Asian American women's mental health: A mixed-methods scoping review

Introduction

Gendered racism against Asian American women has become an increasing public health threat in recent years. Although intersectional discrimination (i.e., co-occurring race- and gender-based discrimination) against Asian American women is not new, research on this topic is lacking. The present scoping review sought to explore how Asian American women report experiences of intersectional discrimination through a systematic examination of the current literature. We included studies that explicitly or implicitly discuss intersectional discrimination. We also aimed to identify indicators of psychological wellbeing and coping associated with these experiences.

Methods

Following PRISMA Guidelines for Systematic Scoping Reviews, database searches were conducted for peer-reviewed articles. A total of 1,476 studies were title- and abstract-screened by two independent reviewers. Then, 148 articles were full-text screened for eligibility.

Results

A final sample of 23 studies was identified (15 qualitative and 8 quantitative). Only nine of the included studies explicitly used an intersectional framework. Results from qualitative studies revealed that Asian American women experience intersectional discrimination through fetishization, the ascription of passivity, invalidation through lack of representation and pervasive white beauty ideals, and workplace tokenization and scrutiny. Study findings suggested that Asian American women experience these forms of intersectional discrimination across multiple levels of influence (i.e., internalized, interpersonal, institutional, structural). Findings from both qualitative and quantitative studies also indicated how discrimination, whether explicitly or implicitly intersectional, contributes to adverse mental health outcomes such as body shame, disordered eating, depression, and suicidality. Studies also touched on common coping mechanisms employed by Asian American women when facing or anticipating discrimination, such as avoidance, shifting, proactive coping, and leaning on networks of support. There was a lack of studies using quantitative assessments of intersectional discrimination. Also, most studies did not include disaggregated data by ethnicity, age, sexual identity, religion, socioeconomic status, immigration status, or skin color, all of which are likely to shape their experiences.

Discussion

Our scoping review highlights how the marginalization of Asian American women is an urgent threat to their mental wellbeing. These findings are discussed to inform future research, interventions, and policy changes that prevent racialized and gendered violence against Asian American women.