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

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the impact on the psychological and social aspects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in individuals diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria (GD).

Methods: Google 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.

Results: 77.1% (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.

Conclusion: The studied population presented deterioration regarding their condition of social vulnerability in relation to formal employment, access to health services, and mental health.

Keywords: COVID-19; Gender Dysphoria; health monitoring; transgender; vulnerability.