The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Lives of People With Gender Dysphoria

ObjectiveTo analyze the impact on the psychological and social aspects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria (GD). MethodsGoogle Forms inventory was sent via WhatsApp, including qualitative and quantitative questions evaluating three life dimensions denominated as Sociodemographic, Economic, and COVID-19 pandemic. It was applied in two periods: At the beginning of the pandemic (June-2020) (P1) and one year later (June-2021) (P2). The inventory also included questions about economic dimensions before the pandemic for individual comparison purposes (P0). 48 individuals (28 transsexual women, 20 transsexual men) participated in both periods. Results77.1% (n = 37) lived in Rio Grande do Sul, 50.0% (n = 24) refereed incomplete high school; Monthly Income increased significantly between the periods (P0) and (P1). Emergence aid approval was significantly higher in (P2), 56.3% (n = 27), compared to (P1), 39.6% (n = 19). A statistically significant difference was detected in the feeling of depression in the (P2) among the cases that requested Emergency Aid. ConclusionThe studied population presented deterioration regarding their condition of social vulnerability in relation to formal employment, access to health services, and mental health.

Automated summary

This study aims to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological and social aspects of individuals diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria (GD). The results indicate a deterioration in social vulnerability regarding formal employment, access to health services, and mental health among the study population.