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Psychological Stressors and Suicidal Ideation among Transgender in Lahore, Pakistan

Rameen Faiz
King Edward Medical University
Muhammad Talha Farooq
King Edward Medical University
Muhammad Umair
King Edward Medical University
Rabia Ramzan
King Edward Medical University
Rida Fatima Sajid
King Edward Medical University
Qais ul Malook
King Edward Medical University

✉ Correspondence: Rameen Faiz Email: rameenfaiz1997@gmail.com

DOI https://doi.org/10.70302/jpsim.v3i3.2252
Volume: 3, Issue 3 Pages: 256–261 Published: 12 Sep 2022
Received: 07 Apr 2022 Accepted: 12 Jul 2022 Published Online: 12 Sep 2022

Abstract

Objective

Transgenders, in Pakistan, face verbal victimization, physical discrimination and sexual abuse at the hands of society, which endanger both their physical and mental health significantly. The aim of the study was to measure the frequency of psychological stressors and suicidal ideation among adult trans-gender individuals in Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods

A cross-sectional study using snow-ball sampling technique was conducted, from January 2019 to September 2019. 113 transgenders (sample size calculated using confidence interval of 95% and absolute precision of 9%) were interviewed at the Fountain House of Lahore, Pakistan. A questionnaire based on Kessler scale of psychological distress served the purpose of data collection tool. The questionnaires were translated into two languages, Urdu and English, for the ease of the participants. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS-26, with a significance level set at p<0.05.

Results

High levels of psychological distress (47.7%) were prevalent among the transgenders. Verbal victimization (69.9%), institutional discrimination (32.7%), physical discrimination (33.6%), sexual abuse (33.6%), workplace discrimination (43.4%) and lack of family support (38.1%) were reported in large proportion.

Conclusion

Levels of psychological stressors and suicidal ideation among transgenders were alarmingly high. The transgender community is socially excluded by the society where they face discriminatory behavior in daily life. Such attitudes make them vulnerable to psychological stress.

Keywords
Transgenders suicidal ideation.

How to Cite This Article

Faiz R, Farooq MT, Umair M, Ramzan R, Sajid RF, Malook QU. Psychological Stressors and Suicidal Ideation among Transgender in Lahore, Pakistan. J Pak Soc Intern Med. 2022;3(3):256–261. doi:10.70302/jpsim.v3i3.2252

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Conflict of Interest

All authors declare no competing interests.

Disclosed in accordance with ICMJE and COPE guidelines.

Funding

No specific funding was received for this research.

Funder information follows the Crossref Funder Registry standard.

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Reference list indexed for Google Scholar and ResearchGate. DOI links resolve via doi.org.

CC BY CC BY 4.0 This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. May be shared and adapted with attribution. © 2022 Journal of Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine.
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