Stories of young LGBTQ people with a physical health condition
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the narratives of LGBTQ+ young people who have a physical health condition and their experiences within physical health services
IRAS ID
304052
Contact name
Nicole Williams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
This research aims to consider the stories that young LGBTQ+ people who have a physical health condition tell about their experiences. Young people with a physical health condition report experiencing isolation, increased pressure within families, and poorer mental health compared to peers. Similar experiences are reported by the LGBTQ+ community. Despite these overlaps, there has been little space given in research to hear the experiences of young LGBTQ+ people with a physical health condition first-hand. These are particularly important to consider in the current NHS context, where LGBTQ+ people report experiencing discriminatory remarks from healthcare providers, and delay accessing healthcare. We feel it is important to firstly understand young LGBTQ+ experiences to provide better healthcare.The study plans to include participants from the age of 13-24 who identify as LGBTQ+, including those questioning their gender or sexuality, and have a physical health condition. Physical health conditions will include conditions that are regularly reviewed by a consultant.
UCLH NHS Foundation Trust and Evelina London Children's Hospital will be used as recruitment bases, as well as recruiting through social media. Participants will be invited to attend an interview that will last around one hour where they will be given the opportunity to talk about their experiences leading up to taking part in the research. Interviews will take place online to accommodate for young people who may not be able to travel easily. Interviews will be analysed using a qualitative methodology. Participants will be invited to give feedback on the results of the study.
Summary of Results
The study’s abstract is as follows:
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals experience health inequalities. Young people living with a health condition are also more likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes. Developing positive identity can help to mitigate the impact of this. Young black LGBTQ+ people have additional barriers to developing positive identity. Current research rarely considers the intersection of these identities for young people despite the stigma and discrimination they may face, and the impact this may have on their mental and physical health. A narrative approach allows these voices to be heard in research.Eight participants were interviewed using a narrative approach. All participants came from a black-African, black-Caribbean, or mixed-race background. Interviews were analysed using content and thematic narrative analysis. Global summaries of each interview were developed and ‘plot lines’ emerged from these. A central plot related to identity development, with two plots embedded in these exploring experiences of illness and of healthcare. Participants had positive experiences of healthcare despite encountering stigma. Access to positive role models and being able link in with various communities allowed participants to integrate and accept their identities. A key discussion point in this study is the ways in which healthcare staff could become role models for young LGBTQ+ people and help them to integrate and accept their identities.
I plan to share of summary of findings to all participants who requested ongoing communication about the study via email. We also hope to publish the findings in the peer reviewed journal ‘Journal of LBGT Youth’REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0159
Date of REC Opinion
23 May 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion