Narratives of young people on same-sex relationships about their path and implications for mental health

Abstract

Objective: To know the life path of young people in same-sex relationship from the discovery of their sexual orientation and the confrontation of problems arising from it, contextualizing situations that affect their mental health and reflect on the role of nursing in care, within the scope of Primary Health Care. Method: Qualitative research performed in two public institutions of higher education. Nineteen homoaffective young people participated in the interviews, following a script with open questions related to mental health and same-sex relationship. Data interpretation used the content analysis. Current ethical precepts have been respected. Results: The difficulties of youth concerning the discovery and acceptance of homoaffectivity are related to confrontations in the familiar coexistence and with social groups, cultural and religious aspects. Conclusion and implications for practice: This issue provokes reflections in the nursing professionals concerning the mental health care practices, considering the cultural competence in the Primary Care scope.

Lesbian health: care experiences of primary care nurses

“…Research has shown that the mental health of lesbians is compromised by several factors linked to internalized lesbophobia, family and social prejudices, heteronormative social rules, stigmas, processes of exclusion and social rejection, which sometimes lead to depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and even suicide. Nevertheless, these associations cannot incur a psychopathologizing habitus of lesbian experiences in a sexist, sexist and lesbophobic society 2,3,[28][29][30] .…”

Saúde de lésbicas: experiências do cuidado das enfermeiras da atenção básica

“…Pesquisas evidenciaram que a saúde mental das lésbicas é comprometida por vários fatores ligados à lesbofobia internalizada, preconceitos familiar e social, regras sociais heteronormativas, estigmas, processos de exclusão e rejeição social, que as levam, por vezes, à depressão, à ansiedade, ao uso abusivo de substâncias e até mesmo ao suicídio. Não obstante, essas associações não podem incorrer num habitus psicopatologizante das vivências lésbicas em uma sociedade sexista, machista e lesbofóbica 23,[28][29][30] .…”

Health of the LGBTI+ Population in Primary Health Care and the Insertion of Nursing

“…21 In Brazil, a study conducted with 19 homosexual youths evidenced that the psychological sufferings that affect them come from prejudices, heteronormative rules, stigmas, reclusions, losses, and loneliness, which several times lead them to suicidal ideation, and generates demands to the health care providers, regarding the mental health, in the face of suicide being a serious public health problem. 22 The National Health Promotion Policy (NHPP) challenges us to promote health considering the social determinants of the population's health. Some of its core values are respect for diversities, including sexual orientation and gender identity, justice, and social inclusion.…”