Publication: We Find Strength in Each Other: The Psychosocial Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Malay Trans Women in Malaysia
Loading...
Date
2023
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
USIM Press
Abstract
The lockdowns or ‘movement control order’ especially during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted all walks of life in Malaysia, including the transgender community. This study aimed to explore the psychosocial impact of lockdown regulation during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic on Malay trans women or Mak Nyah in a southern state in Malaysia. This is a qualitative study with semi-structured, in-depth interviews and thematic analysis. 11 local Malay trans women aged 33 to 50, participated using purposive snowball sampling, starting with a local outreach worker. Six salient, interrelated themes were identified, namely: (1) Fear of the pandemic; (2) The psychological impact of lockdown; (3) The social impact of lockdown; (4) Family as a main concern during lockdown; (5) Transgender community as a source of support; and (6) Concerns about own health. Although the lockdown had considerable psychosocial impact, the close relationship among the local trans women community has alleviated some of the hardship. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown imposed psychosocial challenges impacting Malay trans women in a southern state in Malaysia. Being in a local transgender network provided invaluable moral support, relieved loneliness and offered some solutions for financial burden during the lockdown.
Description
Ulum Islamiyyah The Malaysian Journal of Islamic Studies Volume 35 Issue 2 PAGE (50-62)
Keywords
transgender, LGBTQ, Malaysia, psychology, emotion, COVID-19
Citation
Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen, Mokhtar, R. H. ., Nizam Baharom, Mohamed Fakhri Abu Baharin, Khadijah Hasanah Abang Abdullah, & Zainora Daud. (2023). We Find Strength in Each Other: The Psychosocial Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Malay Trans Women in Malaysia. Ulum Islamiyyah, 35(02), 50-62. https://doi.org/10.33102/uij.vol35no02.541