Association of Discrimination and Violence With Suicidality Among Travestis and Transgender Women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2015‒2023: A Cross-Sectional Study
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2026
Institution/Department
Psychiatry
Journal Title
American journal of public health
MeSH Headings
Humans; Brazil (epidemiology); Female; Transgender Persons (psychology, statistics & numerical data); Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Suicidal Ideation; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Violence (statistics & numerical data, psychology); Adolescent; Male; Suicide (statistics & numerical data, psychology); Sex Offenses (statistics & numerical data, psychology)
Abstract
To examine the associations between discrimination, violence, and suicidality among travestis and transgender women in Brazil. We analyzed baseline data from the Transcendendo cohort (2015-2023) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which enrolled travestis and transgender women aged 18 years and older. We assessed lifetime discrimination by using an 8-item scale reflecting transgender-related mistreatment experiences. We also measured physical and sexual violence, sociodemographics, and psychosocial factors. We categorized suicidality as no ideation, ideation only, and ideation with attempts, analyzed using a multivariable ordinal regression model. Among 662 participants, lifetime discrimination (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11, 1.32; P < .001) and lifetime sexual assault (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI = 1.17, 2.19; P = .003) were significantly associated with increased odds of suicidality. Participants with positive body self-satisfaction, HIV, and increasing age had lower odds of suicidality. Our findings highlight the need for antidiscriminatory policies and health services tailored to the needs of this community to mitigate suicidality risk among travestis and transgender women in Brazil. (Am J Public Health. 2026;116(2):261-269. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2025.308280).
First Page
261
Last Page
269
Recommended Citation
Coelho, David R.; Jalil, Emilia M.; Fernandes, Biancka; Peixoto, Eduardo; Vianna, Thaylla; Ramos, Michele; Jalil, Cristina M.; Ferreira, Livia; and Keuroghlian, Alex S., "Association of Discrimination and Violence With Suicidality Among Travestis and Transgender Women in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2015‒2023: A Cross-Sectional Study" (2026). MaineHealth Maine Medical Center. 4304.
https://knowledgeconnection.mainehealth.org/mmc/4304
