Chronic stress and health equity among queer and gender diverse Latine assigned male at birth communities in the USA - intersecting pressures.

Abstract

Chronic stress is a driver of increased risk for disease and mental health challenges, which disproportionately affect Latine individuals assigned male at birth (AMAB). Latines are one of the fastest growing sub-populations in USA warranting urgent action to remediate inequities. Because of this, a better understanding of stress and coping pathways is needed to improve targeted programmes and interventions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 queer AMAB Latine participants aged 18 to 68 in the continental USA, representing diverse socioeconomic and life experiences. Thematic analyses explored perspectives on health, gender, masculinity, stressors, and coping strategies. Participants defined health holistically and described chronic stress as shaped by structural factors, including the sociopolitical climate, institutional barriers, family obligations, and rigid gender expectations. Participants also described actively renegotiating masculinity and drawing on cultural pride, community, and collective care as sources of resilience, wellbeing, and joy. Findings underscore the need for approaches that address systemic inequities while also attending to the existing assets queer AMAB Latine individuals draw upon in order to survive and thrive. Study findings invite a shift from deficit-based models towards frameworks that highlight cultural strengths, relational care, joy, and locally grounded practices of coping and wellbeing.