Abstract
Objectives
We sought to investigate the association between transgender identity discrimination
and sleep problems among transgender people in South Korea (hereafter, Korea), and
whether family support for transgender identity plays a protective role in the association.
Design & setting
We analyzed a nationwide cross-sectional survey of 583 Korean transgender adults which
was anonymously conducted through an online platform.
Measurements
Transgender identity discrimination was assessed using a single-item question. Sleep
problems were defined as having any of the following problems: poor sleep quality,
short sleep duration, and use of alcohol or sleep medications to fall asleep. Family
support for transgender identity was classified into 3 groups as follows: not supportive,
supportive, and unaware of participants’ transgender identity.
Results
Of 583 participants, 383 (65.7%) experienced transgender identity discrimination over
the past 12 months. Participants who experienced transgender identity discrimination
were 1.48 times (95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.19-1.83) more likely to have
any sleep problems, compared to those who never experienced transgender identity discrimination.
When stratified by family support level, the associations between transgender identity
discrimination and sleep problems remained statistically significant only among those
with a family unsupportive (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.16-2.31)
or unaware (aPR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.01-2.52) of participants’ transgender identity.
However, the association was not statistically significant among those with a supportive
family (aPR = 1.41; 95% CI = 0.96-2.07).
Conclusion
Given transphobic environments in Korea, legal and institutional efforts are required
to reduce transgender identity discrimination (eg, anti-discrimination laws) as well
as to build trans-specific family resources.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 29, 2022
Accepted:
June 21,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 16,
2022
Received:
July 5,
2021
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 National Sleep Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
