Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals are at risk for poorer health outcomes in part because of stigma, discrimination, victimization, and resulting trauma and stress. Stigmarelated stress can lead to hypervigilance, or a chronic and pervasive state of alertness and readiness to respond to potential threats in the environment. The current study is one of the first to explore LGBTQidentified individuals' lived experiences of hypervigilance. In a brief online format, participants (N = 245) completed demographic items and were asked to describe their experiences of hypervigilance and its impact on their lives. Participants reported over 30 negative emotions that accompanied hypervigilance; anxiety, fear, and exhaustion were the most common. Negative emotional reactions occurred in public and private settings and with family, coworkers, strangers, and others perceived to be prejudiced. Participants self-monitored and socially withdrew in efforts to protect themselves from stress and risk of harm. Service providers and researchers should assess hypervigilance in LGBTQ individuals and examine the impact on health and well-being while working to combat stigma and advocate for protective and equitable social policies.
Public Significance StatementLesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals described their lived experience of hypervigilance, a chronic and pervasive stress response to direct and indirect experiences of stigma and discrimination.They were hypervigilant for potential harm as they interacted in public and private and when interacting with certain family members, coworkers, community members, and strangers they perceived to be prejudiced against LGBTQ people. Hypervigilance was often accompanied by negative emotions and social avoidance/isolation.
Young adult trans and nonbinary (TNB) individuals have heightened risk of health disparities (Burgwal et al., 2019), mental health concerns (McCann, 2015), severe discrimination (Lelutiu-Weinberger et al., 2020), and attempted suicide in their lifetime (Adams & Vincent, 2019). There are also positive aspects associated with TNB identities (Matsuno & Israel, 2018;Riggle et al., 2011), including authenticity, selfawareness, and connection to community (Riggle et al., 2011;Riggle & Mohr, 2015). Given the context of stigma and attendant mental health risk, a strengths-based intervention promoting the positive aspects associated with TNB identity may increase well-being and resiliency. We recruited a gender-diverse sample of 11 TNB individuals from Kentucky to pilot an intervention in which individuals participated in a focus group and created a video of personal narratives highlighting their own positive identities. Participants completed measures of positive transgender identity and well-being before and after the project. Findings suggest that participating in the project increased positive identity (authenticity, community, insight) and well-being (happiness, life satisfaction, flourishing). Future research may refine and evaluate specific positive identity-focused interventions to increase well-being for TNB individuals.
Public Significance StatementThe findings from this pilot study suggest that creating and sharing positive narratives about one's TNB identity may help to increase young adult TNB individuals' positive identity and well-being.
This article discusses how COVID-19 has impacted the American workforce, symptoms of Long COVID syndrome, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, and ways to avoid triggering its symptoms when sanitizing the workplace and using Universal Design practices to increase accessibility and decrease transmission of COVID-19 among workers. Interface with healthcare providers, rehabilitation professionals, and employers is emphasized.
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