THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF GENDER AND SEXUALITY: A MULTI-LEVEL ANALYSIS OF IMPLICATIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH IN INDIAN YOUTH

Abstract

This thesis examines the mental health and well-being of Indian youth aged 18 to 29, focusing on how they navigate the complexities of gender identity and sexuality in various social contexts. In a country with diverse socio-cultural dynamics, understanding these dynamics is essential for addressing mental health disparities among SOGIESC (sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics) individuals. This study responds to a significant gap in academic research by investigating the micro, macro, and interpersonal factors shaping the mental health experiences of this underexplored population.

This thesis addresses key questions such as: How do gender and sexuality affect the mental health and well-being of young people in India? What are the potential risk and protective factors for mental health? How does Indian culture impact the experiences with these concepts? Employing a multi-phase qualitative approach, this study examined the social and psychological well-being, along with broader mental health challenges, of young people. Phase 1 (n=145) involved a survey designed to assess gender role identity, social and psychological well-being, while Phase 2 (n=19) comprised of in-depth interviews with a sub-sample from the survey to explore these issues further. Data analysis focused on identifying recurring themes and patterns, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing mental health. In this research, I contribute new insights to the literature on gender and sexuality and mental health in India. The study identified several mental health challenges among participants, including depression, anxiety, gender dysphoria, and suicidal ideation and attempted suicide. Key risk factors included stigma and discrimination, lack of legal recognition, cultural norms and expectations, and family rejection. Conversely, protective factors such as personal agency, future aspirations, and access to mental health services emerged as significant. A notable finding was ‘Corrective Child Sexual Abuse,’ describing experiences where participants perceived their abuse as an attempt to ‘correct’ their non-normative gender identity or sexuality.
The research also highlighted that participants’ gender and sexuality are affected at various levels (macro, interpersonal, and individual). At macro level, various structural inequalities such as lack of all legal rights and institutional discrimination, and cultural expectations such as heteronormativity and religious expectations, created a backdrop of distress for the participants. At interpersonal level, pressures from their family and society like pressure to marry and to conform to societal norms created a cycle of extreme distress where participants could not turn to their primary caregivers for support. At individual level, participants experienced challenges due to a lack of awareness about their identity and their agency being suppressed. Their mental health deteriorated when they were not able to act the way they wanted, leading to stress and anxiety. Furthermore, this study contributes valuable data to the literature on SOGIESC identities, an area that remains understudied in India. The findings provide critical insights that can inform policies and interventions aimed at reducing mental health disparities and promoting well-being among SOGIESC youth in India.