Browsing by Author "Dettlaff, Alan J."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

Contextualizing the Mental Health of Transgender, Genderqueer and Non-binary Communities Through Intersectionality and Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Frameworks
(2022-05-07) Keo, Bec Sokha; Narendorf, Sarah C.; Ali, Samira B.; Dettlaff, Alan J.
This dissertation examines the mental health context of transgender women, transgender men, genderqueer, and non-binary individuals (TGNB collectively) through the lens of Intersectionality Theory (Combahee River Collective, 1971; Crenshaw, 1989; Crenshaw 2017) and the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Model (Testa et. al., 2015). Through three independent studies, this dissertation critically reviews the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Model; compares experiences multi-domain gender affirmation and mental health between transgender and GQNB groups; and applies an intersectional approach to the examination of mental health among BIPOC transgender and GQNB groups. The overall findings of this dissertation suggest that pre-existing TGNB mental health research has been shaped by white supremacy. In addition, this dissertation confirms previous research findings which demonstrate differential mental health experiences among genderqueer and non-binary individuals compared to transgender women and transgender men. The differential mental health outcomes are explained, in part by differences in interpersonal and structural gender affirmation between groups. In addition to multi-domain gender affirmation, the mental health of BIPOC (i.e. Black, Indigenous, People of Color) TGNB individuals is directly impacted by racist and anti-TGNB discrimination. Finally, this dissertation highlights the need for intersectional approaches to the mental health research of multiply minoritized groups such as BIPOC TGNB communities.
Perspectives on Social Work Volume 13 (Winter 2017)
(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2017) Zhou, Shu; Crawford, Claire; Webb, Ann E.; Dettlaff, Alan J.
This is the full-text volume of Perspectives on Social Work, vol. 13 (Winter 2017).
Reflections on a Storm
(University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, 2017) Dettlaff, Alan J.
On August 25, 2017, when the University of Houston closed its campus in anticipation of Hurricane Harvey, I had no idea what was in store. Being still new to Houston, I had experienced rain and flooding, but had not yet experienced the impact of a storm of this nature. In the days that followed, it quickly became clear that we were experiencing what we now know was a historic weather event. I was personally very fortunate to live in a part of Houston that was not severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey. There was rain, but no significant flooding. However, I watched, along with the rest of the country, much of the city of Houston and its residents experience incredible devastation. Many students of the Graduate College of Social Work, and several faculty and staff, experienced significant flooding and many were forced to evacuate their homes and communities. While the extent to which personal property, including homes and other belongings, was lost among those impacted varied, the trauma experienced by all was significant. For our students, this trauma was heightened by the anxiety that already existed due to the start of the academic year, which had begun just one week prior to the storm. In the days that followed, many of our students expressed concerns about how Hurricane Harvey and the university’s closure would impact their assignments, due dates, completion of field hours, and even their timeline for graduation. During this time, I found that it was most helpful to be in regular communication with our students to assure them that accommodations would be made as a result of what now would be a shortened semester. Primarily, I wanted to ensure that our students focused on their health and their safety, and not be worried about school. To this end, I am greatly appreciative of the GCSW faculty and to the administration of the University of Houston, who uniformly emphasized flexibility and understanding as our students gradually adjusted back to the routine of the academic semester once the University of Houston campus reopened on September 5, 2017.