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Examining perceived discrimination on depression among Latino sexual minorities and transgender women in a new settlement state
Methods: A community-based participatory research partnership recruited recently immigrated Latino sexual minorities and transgender women (N=186; 150 male) in North Carolina to participate in HOLA, a social network intervention. Using baseline data collected in 2012, we conducted random-effects logistic regression models to test the association of racial and sexual identity discrimination on clinically significant depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).
Findings: Over one-third (37.63%) of participants met the criteria for depression. Participants described higher levels of perceived racial discrimination than sexual identity discrimination (73.7% vs. 53.8%, respectively). After controlling for other factors associated with depression (i.e., age, employment status, masculinity, fatalism, and social support), both racial (AOR=1.24, 95% CI=1.05–1.46) and sexual identity (AOR=1.22, 95% CI=1.03–1.44) discrimination were significantly associated with depression.
Implications: Latino sexual minorities and transgender women experience high rates of racial and sexual identity discrimination. Multilevel intervention approaches are needed, including structural/policy (e.g., addressing the impact of immigration policies that contribute to racial profiling) and organizational (e.g., culturally congruent mental health services) changes, that address the impact of discrimination on depression.
Learning Areas:
Diversity and cultureProvision of health care to the public
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Learning Objectives:
Describe the relationship between discrimination and depression among Latino sexual minorities and transgender women.
Identify intervention approaches that may reduce depression within these vulnerable populations.
Keyword(s): Depression, Underserved Populations
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently a co-author on a manuscript and co-presenter on a poster related to the care-seeking behaviors of Latino sexual minorities. My research interests involve understanding the individual and structural barriers in accessing healthcare services among vulnerable, underserved populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.