This chapter explores the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals during pregnancy and childbirth, with a particular focus on birth trauma. While birth trauma has not been extensively studied in LGBTQ+ parents, research indicates that this population experiences a higher incidence of factors that increase vulnerability to traumatic birth experiences. Within this chapter, we examine key risk factors for birth trauma among LGBTQ+ individuals, including pre-existing mental health conditions, lower levels of family support, and experiences of poor-quality care during labour and birth, often due to homophobia and transphobia. The chapter then delves into how these vulnerabilities intersect with minority stress and cisheteronormative health care structures to create additional challenges for LGBTQ+ parents while highlighting the importance of building trust between health care providers and LGBTQ+ families. Discussion also addresses specific risk factors during pregnancy and the importance and methods of providing tailored support during and after birth. Strategies for health care professionals to improve care and reduce the risk of birth trauma for LGBTQ+ families include using inclusive language, providing LGBTQ+ specific information, and striving for continuity of care. Overall, this chapter brings to light what constitutes a “good birth” for LGBTQ+ parents, emphasising the need for respectful, individualised care that acknowledges diverse family structures and parenting roles.

Past research on trans and nonbinary (TNB) people has primarily addressed minority stress and discrimination. Recently, researchers began to examine the positive dimensions of TNB identities, conceptualizing the construct of "minority joy". The present study aimed to contribute to the theoretical development of this construct by analyzing the experiences of Italian TNB individuals. Data were drawn from two studies exploring the well-being of 12 trans men, 8 trans women and 8 nonbinary individuals (age range = 19-54; mean = 27.5) using semi-structured interviews. Using a codebook thematic analysis, we identified four domains of positive experiences associated with TNB identities: (1) Gender Euphoria from authenticity to recognition; (2) Feeling pride and playing with gender norms; (3) Critical awareness as a form of liberation from norms; (4) Queer Community as a source of individual and collective support. These findings emphasize the role of interventions and prevention strategies promoting gender identity pride, authenticity, and self-affirmation.

By simultaneously examining minority-related stressors and general stressors experienced by the whole population, the study's aim was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ young adults in Sweden during the Covid-19 pandemic. This study explored differences in mental health and quality of life between subgroups of young LGBTQ+ adults. Further, it explored how distal and proximal minority stressors, as well as stress related to the Covid-19 pandemic, and family support were associated with mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, and quality of life) using linear regression analyses in a sample of 245 young LGBTQ+ Swedish individuals. The results showed increased mental distress in transgender and nonbinary (TNB) young adults and that minority stress influences health in LGBTQ+ young adults above and beyond the general stress of living through a pandemic. Nevertheless, different predictors were significant for different outcomes. For all outcomes, family support was highlighted as an important protective factor for LGBTQ+ young adults. Findings support the minority stress model and highlight the need for interventions aimed at reducing minority stress as well as tailored support and resources for TNB individuals during times of general high stressor load. This may include support aimed at their close families.

The present study aimed at systematizing the psychological contributions on parenting desires and intentions of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals from a minority stress perspective and considering the cis-heteronormativity of our societies. A systematic search was conducted on February 2, 2024, in four databases: Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo. The inclusion criterion consisted of selecting peer-reviewed, indexed English articles specifically addressing the parenting desire and intention in TGD individuals. Thirty-nine records were included in the review, which highlighted that TGD individuals desire and/or intend to have children through a variety of ways (e.g., sexual intercourse, surrogacy, adoption, etc.). The findings are mixed in relation to various sociodemographic variables of the TGD population, which vary based on individual differences. Overall, hindrances due to fertility preservation and the scarce information provided, along with legislative policies prohibiting filiation and other ways to have children (e.g., adoption or surrogacy) to TGD people in various countries can render TGD people's parenting desires and intentions unattainable phantasies. The reproductive path of TGD individuals is influenced by the cis-heteronormative norms of our society. Gender minority stress and resilience factors can have a significant impact on the TGD individuals' desire or intention to have children.

The workplace is an important part of many people's lives. Many transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals have negative experiences of their workplace due to discrimination and cisnormativity. Whether or not to be open about TGD experiences, and the degree of openness, is something many TGD individuals struggle with at work. Openness is related to well-being and job satisfaction and is therefore important to consider when understanding TGD individuals' work situations. This article examines TGD individuals' experiences of openness and concealment regarding their TGD experience at work. Thirty TGD adults from Sweden participated in online semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results show that the organizational climate and physical environment, as well as leadership and human resources, set the stage for an inclusive or excluding workplace for TGD individuals. For the individual, these aspects are taken into consideration when weighing up the risks and advantages of being open about their TGD experience at work. Factors such as work climate, the presence of LGBTQ+ colleagues, and access to safe facilities make a difference in the decision about, and experience of, being open or concealing one's TGD experience at work. Personal values, and a prerequisite to pass or not, affect decisions concerning disclosure and create different challenges in managing working life as a TGD individual. Findings are helpful in better understanding TGD people's situation at work and are of use for work management and policymakers in creating a better work environment for TGD individuals.

The article explores the use of reflexive methodology to enhance mixed methods queer psychological research in Sweden, by analysing data from a qualitative research project on how LGBTQ people cope with minority stress from four epistemological perspectives. A descriptive, hermeneutically and phenomenologically inspired analysis showed that coping should be understood from temporal perspective, where 'microcoping' covers strategies used in specific here and now-situations, and 'macrocoping' addresses general strategies used over time. We suggest that this differentiation is explored in further research. The analysis then included a theoretically driven perspective using feminist theories and discursive perspectives. Three themes resulted describing different types of constant ongoing work, 'existential', 'relational' and 'reflexive', that participants utilized to carve out a livable existence in the world. We suggest that reflexive methodology can help produce results that can be useful in a local as well as an international context and in relation to different audiences.

Family acceptance or rejection has mediating effects on the mental health of LGBTQ + young adults. Restrictive measures imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic forced many of these individuals to exclusively interface with their family of origin, with significant consequences on their psychological well-being. This study aims to explore, from a qualitative perspective, the subjective experience of Italian LGBTQ + young adults during the COVID-19-related home isolation. An online semi-structured interview with 13 questions was administered to a sample of 25 participants. Inclusion criteria consisted of being aged 18 years or older and having spent at least one of the three pandemic waves with the family of origin in Italy. The interviews have been processed using the Thematic Analysis methodology. The findings of the present work showed that Italian LGBTQ + young adults perceived increased distress due to a lack of privacy and acceptance from their family members, which led to forced coming-out and repression of free expression. However, some participants perceived greater psychological well-being because they experienced the family environment as safe and supportive to explore their minority identities. The presence of coping strategies also emerged, such as resilience and avoidance.

Introduction This study analyses the division of parental leave and the income development in gay father families through surrogacy in Sweden, seen as one of the most family-friendly and egalitarian countries in the world. Methods Based on longitudinal population register data, descriptive and bivariate regression models are estimated to analyse the parental leave uptake and income development of married partners becoming (first-time) parents in 2006-2015 (in total 53 couples). Retrospective in-depth interviews with 23 gay men in 12 couples, conducted in 2010 and 2018 are analysed thematically to study how fathers discussed and decided how to divide the leave. Results The process of establishing legal parenthood delays the fathers access to reimbursed parental leave. Despite this, the fathers earnings were not considerably affected by the addition of a child to the family. Once the fathers had access to reimbursed leave, they generally shared this equally, with a tendency for the genetic father to take leave first and for a slightly longer period. Conclusions The fathers becoming parents via surrogacy arrangements are a well-off group, able to counter the negative financial consequences of becoming parents. Swedish family policies enable parents to share the leave equally. Less impacted by gender and parenthood norms creating difference between parents, gay father families are in a better position to realise ideals of shared care and sameness. Policy Implications The delayed access to reimbursed parental leave structures the ability of gay couples to become parents and contributes to class inequalities in the transition to parenthood.

Klimatförändringar leder till ökade och nya risker i samhällen. Översvämningar från skyfall är en sådan risk som redan genererar stora skador, vilka förväntas öka markant i framtiden. Inte minst riskerar många villaägare att drabbas av översvämningar och de har också tillskrivits en central roll i Sveriges klimatanpassningsarbete. Trots detta har inga tidigare svenska studier undersökt specifikt hur villaägare påverkats av översvämningar bortom skadekostnader och ytterst få har undersökt hur de har hanterat eller ser på sitt ansvar att förebygga översvämningsrisker. Bristen på sådan kunskap kan leda till mindre informerade beslut om klimatanpassning. Genom intervjuer med villaägare som drabbats av översvämningar undersöker denna studie hur villaägare; ser på översvämningsrisker, har påverkats materiellt och hälsomässigt, har hanterat situationen, och ser på ansvar att förebygga nya skador. Studien påvisar tydliga effekter på villaägares välbefinnande, att få villaägare har implementerat åtgärder, tendenser att underskatta risker för översvämningar samt att ansvaret för förebyggande åtgärder skjuts över till andra aktörer.