About this Research Topic
Health encompasses complete physical, mental, and social well-being, extending beyond the mere absence of disease or infirmity (WHO, 2018). Well-being denotes a positive state experienced by both individuals and societies, serving as a valuable resource for daily life. It is influenced by social, economic, and environmental conditions (WHO, 2021).
Consequently, stigmas, taboos, or discrimination related to gender, sexual orientation, identity, or expression can significantly impact our well-being and warrant attention. Specifically, individuals may face distinct experiences (such as intimate partner violence or harassment), encounter negative attitudes (homophobia, misogyny, or transphobia), and be subject to various behaviors (such as rejection or exclusion) based on their gender or sexuality. These experiences can have adverse consequences, so it is necessary to delve into the study of such consequences from a holistic perspective of health as a state of well-being.
This Research Topic aims to collect contributions regarding the effects and consequences of discrimination based on gender or sexuality on well-being. Specifically regarding social and gender models or theories either based upon the effects of cultural discrimination (e.g., inequality or social factors), cross-cultural differences, the role of attitudes of discrimination in the individual development (i.e., status), as well as the effects of the interaction of different discriminations on the well-being of individuals or society. In line with this, research could consider the impact of gender roles or sociodemographic characteristics such as socioeconomic status, education level, or the inclusion of sexual minorities to understand and explain the processes that underlie well-being. Such understanding could inform the design and implementation of more effective programs aimed at enhancing individual and community health. Studies can be based on previous theories that support these ideas, such as feminist theories (Barnett et al., 2018; Bograd, 1988; Disch & Hawkesworth, 2016; Dobash & Dobash, 1979; West & Zimmerman, 1987), the ecological model (Bronfenbrenner, 2002), the Biopsychosocial model (Gruskin et al., 2019), and the Sex-Positive model (Raymond & Hutchison, 2019), among others. This scientific context allows for the discussion of the causes and implications of prejudice based on gender or sexuality (i.e., different forms of discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality).
In this Research Topic, we welcome theoretical and empirical research, meta-analysis and systematic reviews that approach discrimination based on gender or sexuality and their relationship with well-being, with a specific focus on:
- Gender-based or sexual orientation discrimination
- Violence based on gender or sexuality
- Gender identity and well-being
- Sexual or gender attitudes and well-being
- Sexual or gender attitudes and violence
World Health Organization (2021) Health Promotion Glossary of Terms 2021. Available at: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/350161/9789240038349-eng.pdf?sequence=1 (Accessed: 31 January 2024).
World Health Organization (2021) Health Promotion Glossary of Terms 2021. Available at: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/350161/9789240038349-eng.pdf?sequence=1 (Accessed: 31 January 2024).
Consequently, stigmas, taboos, or discrimination related to gender, sexual orientation, identity, or expression can significantly impact our well-being and warrant attention. Specifically, individuals may face distinct experiences (such as intimate partner violence or harassment), encounter negative attitudes (homophobia, misogyny, or transphobia), and be subject to various behaviors (such as rejection or exclusion) based on their gender or sexuality. These experiences can have adverse consequences, so it is necessary to delve into the study of such consequences from a holistic perspective of health as a state of well-being.
This Research Topic aims to collect contributions regarding the effects and consequences of discrimination based on gender or sexuality on well-being. Specifically regarding social and gender models or theories either based upon the effects of cultural discrimination (e.g., inequality or social factors), cross-cultural differences, the role of attitudes of discrimination in the individual development (i.e., status), as well as the effects of the interaction of different discriminations on the well-being of individuals or society. In line with this, research could consider the impact of gender roles or sociodemographic characteristics such as socioeconomic status, education level, or the inclusion of sexual minorities to understand and explain the processes that underlie well-being. Such understanding could inform the design and implementation of more effective programs aimed at enhancing individual and community health. Studies can be based on previous theories that support these ideas, such as feminist theories (Barnett et al., 2018; Bograd, 1988; Disch & Hawkesworth, 2016; Dobash & Dobash, 1979; West & Zimmerman, 1987), the ecological model (Bronfenbrenner, 2002), the Biopsychosocial model (Gruskin et al., 2019), and the Sex-Positive model (Raymond & Hutchison, 2019), among others. This scientific context allows for the discussion of the causes and implications of prejudice based on gender or sexuality (i.e., different forms of discrimination on the basis of gender or sexuality).
In this Research Topic, we welcome theoretical and empirical research, meta-analysis and systematic reviews that approach discrimination based on gender or sexuality and their relationship with well-being, with a specific focus on:
- Gender-based or sexual orientation discrimination
- Violence based on gender or sexuality
- Gender identity and well-being
- Sexual or gender attitudes and well-being
- Sexual or gender attitudes and violence
World Health Organization (2021) Health Promotion Glossary of Terms 2021. Available at: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/350161/9789240038349-eng.pdf?sequence=1 (Accessed: 31 January 2024).
World Health Organization (2021) Health Promotion Glossary of Terms 2021. Available at: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/350161/9789240038349-eng.pdf?sequence=1 (Accessed: 31 January 2024).
Keywords: reification, sexual objectification, intimate partner violence, gender identities, gender roles, sexual attitudes, gender attitudes, well-being, discrimination, gender-based violence, double sex standard, harassment, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia
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