Abstract

Nursing is an art and a science, depicted by intimate care of patients physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is the nurse’s role to advocate for the patient and assure that they receive the best care possible. There are many disparities present in healthcare, and as an aspiring nurse, it is important that I am aware of these inequalities. Sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients face many disparities, especially in the realm of mental health. These disparities have been attributed to the stigma SGM people experience related to their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and may bring about a higher observance of inpatient psychiatric hospitalization (Meyer, 2003; Testa et al., 2017). However, these disparities are not well documented in research or literature. With a summer 2021 grant from the Research Experience and Apprenticeship Program (REAP) at the University of New Hampshire, I conducted an integrated literature review on the experiences of sexual and gender minority patients in inpatient psychiatric care. The goal of my project was to identify disparities and categorize them into structural, interpersonal, and individual stigma to amplify the voices of sexual and gender minorities. This research article delves into my experience with undergraduate research, describes the central characteristics of a literature review, and emphasizes the importance of performing research on this topic so that sexual and gender minority people can receive inclusive, lifesaving care.

Publication Date

Spring 2022

Journal Title

Inquiry Journal

Mentor

Kristen Clark

Publisher

Durham, NH: Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research, University of New Hampshire

Document Type

Article

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