Open Collections

Barborini, Christian

University of British Columbia

Background and Objectives: Transgender, non-binary and gender non-conforming (herein, “TGNC”) youth (15-24 years old) face overlapping minority stressors (e.g., gender discrimination, lack of access to gender-affirming care, rejection, violence) that contribute to mental health inequities. TGNC youth also use substances at higher rates when compared to cisgender youth, including some of the highest rates of cannabis use in Canada. This thesis will discuss how cannabis use features within the gender experiences of TGNC youth. Methods: This thesis draws on a community-based participatory research approach and photovoice methodology. We conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 27 TGNC youth (15-24 years old) from across British Columbia. Interviews were designed to elicit discussions about the photos youth had taken as well as various gender and mental health experiences related to their cannabis use. Analysis and identification of emergent themes was guided by social constructivist grounded theory as well as queer and trans theorizing and informed by community-based research approaches through regular meetings with our team’s Youth Advisory Committee comprised of TGNC youth who use substances. Results: Three overarching themes pertaining to cannabis use and gender experiences amongst TGNC youth were generated. First, cannabis is purposefully and strategically used by TGNC youth to enact gender expressions and forms of embodiment. Second, cannabis supports introspective thought to mobilize the identity discovery and development of TGNC youth. Finally, cannabis offers a vehicle through which TGNC youth can access moments of gender euphoria and affirmation. Together, these results illustrate that TGNC youth use cannabis based on diverse motivations often related to their shared experience navigating a cisheteropatriarchal society. Conclusions: These findings identify how TGNC youth use cannabis to purposefully and strategically facilitate their mental health, well-being, identity development and self-expression. This research reveals critically important experiential and embodied dimensions of cannabis use that have not historically been considered in cannabis-related policy and the provision of care, including mental health and substance use-related care. Ultimately, these findings underscore the importance of advancing understandings of cannabis use that transcend the confines of the gender binary.

Text

2024-07-31

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/85440

Population and Public Health

University of British Columbia

UBCV

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/