Negative Transgender-Related Media Messages Are Associated with Adverse Mental Health Outcomes in a Multistate Study of Transgender Adults

Hughto, Jaclyn M. White; Pletta, David; Gordon, Lily; Cahill, Seán; Mimiaga, Matthew J.; Reisner, Sari L.

doi:10.1089/lgbt.2020.0279

Cited by 45 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…12,34 Although LGBTQ represen tation is becoming more common in media platforms of all kinds, these sexual and/or romantic journeys are less commonly portrayed, and negative representations of transgender people remain common. 35 Our findings demonstrate the potential positive effects of social support through social media on LGBTQ adolescents, which may result in improved mental health outcomes. Adolescents who do not access online groups are at risk of social isolation unless they have an in-person support network.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Social media’s role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study

et al. 2021

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Background Adolescents use social media more frequently than other age groups. Social media has been described as a safe environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer and/or questioning (LGBTQ) adolescents. As part of mixed-methods research investigating the association between social networks and sexual agency, we present qualitative findings on how LGBTQ adolescents connect online to form support networks. Methods We recruited 30 adolescents aged 14–17years who identified as LGBTQ in terms of their gender or attraction in the longitudinal Social Networks and Agency Project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted online or face-to-face across Australia. Thematic analysis was used to explore perceptions and experiences of participants in relation to social media use and relationships. Results Two overarching themes were identified: LGBTQ adolescents use social media for identity, relationships and wellbeing support. Social media is not always free of discrimination for LGBTQ adolescents. Many LGBTQ participants joined Facebook groups to connect with LGBTQ peers. Facebook was considered a vital support for those with mental health concerns including suicidal ideation. Participants gave and received support from group members, which was considered useful for those feeling isolated or victimised. LGBTQ adolescents formed friendships, romantic relationships and gained information on sex, relationships, and sexual health from these groups. Participants described negative experiences including discrimination within Facebook groups, mismanaged groups and exposure to anti-LGBTQ sentiments. Conclusion Social media is an environment where LGBTQ adolescents can connect, educate and support each other, which may have beneficial effects for this marginalised group. There remain issues with social media including discrimination against and within LGBTQ communities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 57%

Social media’s role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study

et al. 2021

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“…Exposure to transgender-related television storylines promoting positive emotions and viewer identification is positively related to supportive attitudes toward trans people (Gillig et al, 2018), while viewing negative portrayals of trans women has been linked to negative attitudes toward trans people in general (Solomon & Kurtz-Costes, 2018). These depictions also have the potential to cause harm to trans people themselves; one study of transgender adults found that exposure to negative media about trans people was significantly associated with depression, anxiety, and psychological distress (Hughto et al, 2020).…”

Section: Media Depictions Of Marginalized Groupsmentioning

confidence: 99%

U.S. News Coverage of Transgender Victims of Fatal Violence: An Exploratory Content Analysis

Osborn

2021

Violence Against Women

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Media portrayals of crime help shape public perceptions of victims and the demographic groups to which they belong. For transgender people, who already face heightened disparities and stigma, news coverage may reinforce negative stereotypes and minimize the wider context of transphobic violence. The present study, a content analysis of news articles ( n = 316) pertaining to 27 transgender people killed in the United States in 2016, addresses positive and negative depictions of victims, use of language affirming and delegitimizing transgender identities, and framing of transphobia as a systemic problem. Themes, implications, and future research directions are discussed.

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“…Despite the lack of evidence of criminal incidents in public bathrooms amid the presence of nondiscrimination laws based on gender identity (Hasenbush et al, 2019), bathroom bills serve to exacerbate a focus on biological sex and increase gender panic in association to TNG people (i.e., “situations where people react to disruptions to biology-based gender ideology by frantically reasserting the naturalness of a male–female binary”; Westbrook & Schilit, 2014, p. 34). This panic, or fear of gender diverse people, emanating from gender stereotypes, reduces the social valence of TNG people (Hughto, et al, 2021; Miller et al, 2017), and fuels the role of transphobia (and homophobia), both powerful political tools to impassion voters (e.g., Parent & Silva, 2018).…”

Section: Structural Stigma and Anti-lgbtq Legislationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The stench of bathroom bills and anti-transgender legislation: Anxiety and depression among transgender, nonbinary, and cisgender LGBQ people during a state referendum.

Horne¹,

McGinley²,

Yel³

et al. 2022

Journal of Counseling Psychology

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Informed by structural stigma theory, this article presents the results of two studies that explored mental health experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse (TNG) individuals and cisgender lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals (N = 523) prior to and following a state referendum to remove gender-based protections. In the Preelection Study, a path model explored relationships among individual factors (i.e., TNG identity, history of gender-based victimization), interpersonal variables (i.e., Referendum familiarity, exposure to Referendum-related messages, sexual orientation, and gender identity-specific social support), and mental health factors (i.e., Referendum-related anxiety and depressive symptomatology). Referendum-related anxiety mediated the relationships between TNG identity, gender-based victimization, sexual orientation and gender identity social support, and depressive symptomatology, explaining 40% of the variance in depressive symptomatology. Postelection, a subsample of participants (N = 117) was used to test a model of differences from pre-to postelection. Neither TNG identity nor victimization predicted Postelection mental health, however, Referendum-related anxiety and depressive symptomatology were significantly lower following the ballot vote that retained gender-based rights. Clinical implications suggest sexual and gender minorities may report increased anxiety in the face of anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) legislation, which may be associated with heightened symptoms of depression. TNG people and LGBTQ people with histories of genderbased victimization may be more at risk for mental health concerns related to anti-TNG legislation. Public Significance StatementThis study suggests that public debate over and legislative attempts to restrict protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people present an ongoing threat to mental health for LGBTQ people, and particularly for transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse (TNG) individuals. Even when legislative outcomes are favorable, LGBTQ people may suffer anxiety and depression, especially those who identify as TNG or who have histories of gender-based victimization.

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Negative Transgender-Related Media Messages Are Associated with Adverse Mental Health Outcomes in a Multistate Study of Transgender Adults

Cited by 45 publications

References 50 publications

Social media’s role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study

Social media’s role in support networks among LGBTQ adolescents: a qualitative study

U.S. News Coverage of Transgender Victims of Fatal Violence: An Exploratory Content Analysis

The stench of bathroom bills and anti-transgender legislation: Anxiety and depression among transgender, nonbinary, and cisgender LGBQ people during a state referendum.

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