title: A psychosocial study of male-to-female transgendered and male hustler sex workers in Sao Paulo, Brazil

authors: Prado Cortez, Fernanda Cestaro

subjects: sex workers

abstract: This study examined sociodemographic variables, personality characteristics, and alcohol and drug misuse among male sex workers in the city of Santo Andre´, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A total of 45 male-to-female transgender sex workers and 41 male hustlers were evaluated in face-to-face interviews at their place of work from 2008 to 2010. A “snowball” sampling procedure was used to access this hard-to-reach population. Male-to- female transgender sex workers reported fewer conventional job opportunities, fewer school problems, and higher harm avoidance and depression levels than male hustlers. Also, transgender sex workers reported earning more money through sex work and more frequently living in hostels with peers than their counterparts. As biological male sex workers are a heterogeneous population, attempts to classify them into distinctive groups should be further carried out as a way to better understand and identify their behavior, design effective health interventions, and consequently minimize the likelihood of unintended adverse outcomes. Our study showed that gender performance can be an important variable to be considered by researchers and policy makers when working with sex workers and developing HIV/AIDS prevention and public health programs, given that transgender and male sex workers not only display distinctive behavior and physical appearance but also reveal differences on specific psychological measures, such as personality traits and depression levels. We recommend that counsellors working with this population strike a balance between facilitating self-disclosure and establishing more evidence-based directive interventions.

text: A psychosocial study of male-to-female transgendered and male hustler sex workers in Sao Paulo, Brazil This study examined sociodemographic variables, personality characteristics, and alcohol and drug misuse among male sex workers in the city of Santo Andre´, Sao Paulo, Brazil. A total of 45 male-to-female transgender sex workers and 41 male hustlers were evaluated in face-to-face interviews at their place of work from 2008 to 2010. A “snowball” sampling procedure was used to access this hard-to-reach population. Male-to- female transgender sex workers reported fewer conventional job opportunities, fewer school problems, and higher harm avoidance and depression levels than male hustlers. Also, transgender sex workers reported earning more money through sex work and more frequently living in hostels with peers than their counterparts. As biological male sex workers are a heterogeneous population, attempts to classify them into distinctive groups should be further carried out as a way to better understand and identify their behavior, design effective health interventions, and consequently minimize the likelihood of unintended adverse outcomes. Our study showed that gender performance can be an important variable to be considered by researchers and policy makers when working with sex workers and developing HIV/AIDS prevention and public health programs, given that transgender and male sex workers not only display distinctive behavior and physical appearance but also reveal differences on specific psychological measures, such as personality traits and depression levels. We recommend that counsellors working with this population strike a balance between facilitating self-disclosure and establishing more evidence-based directive interventions.

year: 2011

title: Intersex mental health

authors: Roen, Katrina

subjects: Variations of sex characteristics

abstract: This chapter takes a critical psychology approach to reviewing research on psychological distress among people with variations of sex characteristics. The focus is on depathologizing emotional distress and developing affirming and empowering approaches to healthcare. Affirming approaches to psychosocial healthcare can be undertaken by health professionals who have enough knowledge about intersex, diverse sex development, or variations of sex characteristics to be able to support positive adaptation to bodily variation and facilitate non-stigmatizing talk about the experience of living with a diagnosis. There is room for significant development here, particularly research addressing psychosocial well-being in ways that are non-medicalized and culturally relevant in diverse global regions.

text: Intersex mental health This chapter takes a critical psychology approach to reviewing research on psychological distress among people with variations of sex characteristics. The focus is on depathologizing emotional distress and developing affirming and empowering approaches to healthcare. Affirming approaches to psychosocial healthcare can be undertaken by health professionals who have enough knowledge about intersex, diverse sex development, or variations of sex characteristics to be able to support positive adaptation to bodily variation and facilitate non-stigmatizing talk about the experience of living with a diagnosis. There is room for significant development here, particularly research addressing psychosocial well-being in ways that are non-medicalized and culturally relevant in diverse global regions.

year: 2020

title: Te Ao Hurihuri population: Past, present & future

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

subjects: Maori

abstract: The NIDEA Te Ao Hurihuri series uses data from the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings to examine key aspects of Maori population change.

text: Te Ao Hurihuri population: Past, present & future The NIDEA Te Ao Hurihuri series uses data from the New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings to examine key aspects of Maori population change.

year: 2014-07