{"title":"Mental Health and Substance Use Amongst Trans Women in India.","authors":"Sriram Palepu, Vasudeva Murthy Sindgi, Kailasom Srikrishnan Aylur, David J Margolis, Carrie Kovarik","doi":"10.1080/00918369.2025.2476158","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trans women in India, especially those engaged in sex work, face significant mental health challenges. As a part of a larger study on trans health needs, we aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol abuse among trans women attending the Mitr Clinic in Hyderabad, India, and determine if there is an association between sex work and poor mental health. A cross-sectional study surveyed 300 trans women at the Mitr Clinic. Mental health was assessed using the GHQ-12, and substance use was evaluated using the ASSIST. Data on demographics, occupation, education, and HIV status were collected. Relevant ethical approvals were obtained. Among participants, 21% were identified as sex workers. GHQ-12 scores were significantly higher among sex workers compared to non-sex workers, indicating poorer mental health (<i>p</i> = 0.004). High-risk alcohol use was reported by 4% of participants, with a marginal association between sex work and alcohol use (<i>p</i> = 0.05). Trans women engaged in sex work in India have significantly poorer mental health compared to their non-sex working peers. We advocate for culturally sensitive and targeted interventions to support the unique needs of this vulnerable population.</p>","PeriodicalId":48221,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Homosexuality","volume":" ","pages":"1-9"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Homosexuality","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2025.2476158","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
Mental Health and Substance Use Amongst Trans Women in India.
Trans women in India, especially those engaged in sex work, face significant mental health challenges. As a part of a larger study on trans health needs, we aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol abuse among trans women attending the Mitr Clinic in Hyderabad, India, and determine if there is an association between sex work and poor mental health. A cross-sectional study surveyed 300 trans women at the Mitr Clinic. Mental health was assessed using the GHQ-12, and substance use was evaluated using the ASSIST. Data on demographics, occupation, education, and HIV status were collected. Relevant ethical approvals were obtained. Among participants, 21% were identified as sex workers. GHQ-12 scores were significantly higher among sex workers compared to non-sex workers, indicating poorer mental health (p = 0.004). High-risk alcohol use was reported by 4% of participants, with a marginal association between sex work and alcohol use (p = 0.05). Trans women engaged in sex work in India have significantly poorer mental health compared to their non-sex working peers. We advocate for culturally sensitive and targeted interventions to support the unique needs of this vulnerable population.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Homosexuality is an internationally acclaimed, peer-reviewed publication devoted to publishing a wide variety of disciplinary and interdisciplinary scholarship to foster a thorough understanding of the complexities, nuances, and the multifaceted aspects of sexuality and gender. The chief aim of the journal is to publish thought-provoking scholarship by researchers, community activists, and scholars who employ a range of research methodologies and who offer a variety of perspectives to continue shaping knowledge production in the arenas of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) studies and queer studies. The Journal of Homosexuality is committed to offering substantive, accessible reading to researchers and general readers alike in the hope of: spurring additional research, offering ideas to integrate into educational programs at schools, colleges & universities, or community-based organizations, and manifesting activism against sexual and gender prejudice (e.g., homophobia, biphobia and transphobia), including the promotion of sexual and gender justice.