Psychological well-being of trans* people in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic: critical issues and personal experiences

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic represents a risk not only for physical health but also for the psychological well-being of the entire population. Specifically, it causes significant concerns among individuals who belong to minoritized communities, such as transgender/non-binary individuals. The study investigates how transgender/nonbinary people in Italy addressed the COVID-19 situation and identifies risk factors that, in this context, may have exerted a negative impact on their psychological well- being and physical health. Methods: An ad hoc online questionnaire was developed to investigate the psychological status, access to medical health services, and factors that can be predictors of risk outcomes in transgender/nonbinary people during lockdown restrictions. The responses collected (n = 256) were analyzed through descriptive analysis, univariate analysis of variance, and t-test. Results: Respondents confirmed facing several issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. Depression, anxiety, irritability, worries toward the future (58.2%), lack of positive emotions (46.9%), and uncertainty about one’s self (52.7%) emerged. Difficulties in undertaking hormone therapy and access to health facilities were reported. Moreover, living with family members during the lockdown restrictions represented a significant stressor for psychological well-being, whereas lack of support from LGBT+ communities was reported. Conclusions: The findings provide a framework of the critical aspects that transgender/nonbinary individuals have faced during the COVID-19 outbreak. Specifically, the study evidences the high vulnerability of this population underlining the multiple (e.g psychological, social, physical) difficulties encountered.