Introduction: Depression and other adverse mental health outcomes are prevalent among Black men who have sex with men (BMSM). Social support can be protective against symptoms of depression, the effects of which may be amplified by experiences of a shared social identity.
Methods: We explored the associations between BMSM-specific social support and depressive symptoms among a sample of 280 BMSM. We used chi-square and t-tests to examine bivariate associations between social support, depressive symptoms, and key correlates, and logistic regression to adjust the relationship between social support and depressive symptoms.
Results: Most participants reported high (43.2%) or moderate (41.8%) levels of BMSM-specific social support, 38% reported depressive symptoms, and 47.6% were living with HIV. Adjusting for socioeconomic and structural vulnerabilities, health, and involvement in the gay community, high social support was associated with a marginal decrease in the odds of depressive symptoms compared to low social support.
Conclusions: Results indicate that BMSM-specific social support is protective against depressive symptoms even in the context of other socioeconomic and structural vulnerabilities, suggesting that strengths-based interventions focused on building community and mutual support among BMSM may be valuable tools to prevent depression and promote positive mental health outcomes for members of this population.
Introduction: Latinx transgender people who are also immigrants experience barriers to health services and comprise a marginalized group at risk for poor mental health. Greater understanding of transgender Latinx immigrants' health needs and experiences with the U.S. healthcare system is needed to improve their access to health services.
Methods: We conducted in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of transgender Latina immigrants (n=10) in the Seattle, WA area. Analysis of the qualitative data involved a data-reduction process in which emergent themes were identified and coded to yield a set of core themes.
Results: Analyses revealed that Latinx transgender immigrants experience multiple levels and forms of rejection and discrimination depending on their contexts and the spaces they navigate. These experiences highlighted how participants confront frequent shifts in privilege and oppression, which shaped their access to health and mental health services.
Conclusions: Efforts to develop linguistically and culturally appropriate health and mental health services for the Latinx transgender immigrant community must take into account the multiple contexts and communities that they inhabit. Strategies to enhance the health of transgender Latinx immigrants should also harness the unique strengths and resilience of the community.