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Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Gender Minority Communities: Focus Group Discussions

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer R. Pharr

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
    Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Emylia Terry

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
    Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • André Wade

    (Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
    Silver State Equality, North Las Vegas, NV 89031, USA)

  • Amanda Haboush-Deloye

    (Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
    Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Erika Marquez

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA
    Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition

    (Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

Abstract

Background: People who identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) experienced disproportionate economic and mental health issues related to COVID-19 when compared to the general population. The purpose of this study was to better understand how COVID-19 has impacted the SGM community and ways to address vaccine hesitancy. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted with 21 members of the SGM community between 5 November and 10 December 2020. A thematic analysis using the reflexive approach was applied to the transcripts of the focus groups. Results: Four themes emerged: (1) Impact of COVID-19 on the Community, (2) Perceptions of Contact Tracing and Testing, (3) Perceptions of a Potential COVID-19 Vaccine, and (4) Decreasing Vaccine Hesitancy. The most relevant subthemes were that social isolation led to anxiety, stress, and fear in the SGM community during COVID-19; resilience and adaptation were positive outcomes of the pandemic; histories of medical racism contributed to hesitancy to get tested; and specific messaging from trusted messengers may be needed to encourage SGM communities to get vaccinated. These findings support other COVID-19 research on the SGM community during the start of the pandemic. Conclusions: This study provides insight into the impact of the early stages of COVID-19 on the SGM community, highlighting the unique hurdles faced by SGM individuals with regard to contact tracing and vaccine hesitancy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer R. Pharr & Emylia Terry & André Wade & Amanda Haboush-Deloye & Erika Marquez & Nevada Minority Health and Equity Coalition, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual and Gender Minority Communities: Focus Group Discussions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2022:i:1:p:50-:d:1009524
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jennifer R. Pharr & Lung-Chang Chien & Maxim Gakh & Jason D. Flatt & Krystal Kittle & Emylia Terry, 2022. "Moderating Effect of Community and Individual Resilience on Structural Stigma and Suicidal Ideation among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.
    2. Butterworth, Peter & Rodgers, Bryan & Windsor, Tim D., 2009. "Financial hardship, socio-economic position and depression: Results from the PATH Through Life Survey," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 69(2), pages 229-237, July.
    3. David Byrne, 2022. "A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(3), pages 1391-1412, June.
    4. Santiago, Catherine DeCarlo & Wadsworth, Martha E. & Stump, Jessica, 2011. "Socioeconomic status, neighborhood disadvantage, and poverty-related stress: Prospective effects on psychological syndromes among diverse low-income families," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 218-230, March.
    5. Paula D. McClain, 2021. "“Trump and racial equality in America? No pretense at all!”," Policy Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 42(5-6), pages 491-508, November.
    6. Victoria Rich & Jennifer R Pharr & Timothy Bungum & Emylia Terry, 2022. "A Systematic Review of COVID-19 Risk Factors Impact on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Youth," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 14(6), pages 1-43, June.
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