Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Individuals Engaged in a Longitudinal Cohort Study

Abstract

While the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, no empiric US-based research has focused specifically on transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) people. We examined the pandemic's impact on an established longitudinal cohort of TGNB individuals (N = 208) by administering an online survey between March-June 2020. We used multivariable linear regression to examine reduced LGBTQ/TGNB community support and disruptions in gender-affirming health care as predictors of psychological distress during the pandemic. We found that the pandemic exacerbated ongoing mental health disparities for TGNB individuals. Furthermore, reduced LGBTQ/TGNB support was associated with increased psychological distress during the pandemic. Interruption and/or delay in gender-affirming health care was not associated with increased psychological distress during the pandemic. Special attention is needed to address the unique ways in which TGNB individuals were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes increasing access to LGBTQ/TGNB community support and addressing long-standing health disparities.

Gender-affirming care, mental health, and economic stability in the time of COVID-19: A multi-national, cross-sectional study of transgender and nonbinary people

“…These results mirror anecdotal data from clinics serving transgender patients in China [ 41 ]. Relatedly, longitudinal data in the United States demonstrated that COVID-19-related disruptions to gender-affirming hormones and/or surgery were associated with increased psychological distress in a small cohort of transgender and nonbinary people [ 42 ].…”

“…Living less according to one’s gender during the COVID-19 crisis was also associated with screening positive for depression and anxiety. People may be living in their genders less due to decreased social support, which has also been associated with psychological distress among transgender individuals during the COVID-19 crisis [ 42 ]. Among young (13–19 years), gender diverse people in the United States, 56% reported reduced ability to express their gender identity due to the COVID-19 crisis [ 49 ].…”

Gesundheit und Gesundheitsversorgung von trans Personen während der COVID‑19-Pandemie: Eine Online-Querschnittstudie in deutschsprachigen Ländern

“…Vor diesem Hintergrund richtet der vorliegende Beitrag den Fokus auf die Lebenssituation von trans Menschen und ihre Gesundheitsversorgung und fragt, ob und inwiefern diese von den Folgen der COVID-19-Pandemie besonders betroffen sein könnten [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Das Wort "trans" verwenden wir im 1 Der Begriff Minoritätenstress beschreibt spezifische Stressoren, die (u. a. sexuelle oder geschlechtliche) Minderheiten aufgrund von Stigmatisierung und Marginalisierung durch die Gesamtgesellschaft erleben [22].…”

COVID-19 among LGBTQ+ individuals living with HIV/AIDS: psycho-social challenges and care options

“…As a result, racial/ethnic minority groups, especially Afro-Americans and Hispanics inordinately suffer from adverse health conditions. It must be noted that Black and Hispanic/Latino MSM are at particularly high risk for HIV, compared with MSM from other communities; and structural racism during the current pandemic increases their susceptibility to COVID-19 [22] , [23] .…”

“…The ongoing pandemic has grievously impacted both the mental and physical well-being of HIV-positive LGBTQ+ individuals [23] . Limited accessibility to support services amplifies risk to COVID-19, as well as other chronic illnesses [24] .…”