Medical assistance in dying and mental illness: Perspectives from 2S/LGBTQ+ individuals in Atlantic Canada
| dc.contributor.author | Tang, Jay | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Lachowsky, Nathan | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Carroll, Simon | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-08-15T17:33:41Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-08-15T17:33:41Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024 | |
| dc.degree.department | School of Public Health and Social Policy | |
| dc.degree.level | Master of Science MSc | |
| dc.description.abstract | In March 2027, medical assistance in dying (MAID, also referred to as physician-assisted suicide) in Canada will be available to those with mental illness (MI) as the sole underlying condition (MAID-MI). The literature surrounding MAID-MI rarely consults individuals with MI; consequently, there is urgent need to understand this population’s perspectives. A key intersecting/sub-population is 2S/LGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) Atlantic Canadians with MI, who will be disproportionately affected by the change in MAID eligibility for several reasons. These include: 1) intersections of sexual/gender minority status with homelessness and poverty, and the impact of rising costs of living in Atlantic Canada; 2) associations between sexual/gender minority status and MI/suicidality, and the impact of barriers to accessing timely and competent healthcare in Atlantic Canada, specifically gender-affirming and mental health care; and 3) associations between homelessness, suicidality, and likelihood of seeking MAID. This study used an interpretive description methodology, informed by a feminist-of-colour disability framework, and community collaboration, and engaged 2S/LGBTQ+ Atlantic Canadians with mood disorders through qualitative one-on-one interviews to understand their perspectives on MAID-MI and how their experiences and identities impacted these perspectives. Of the 38 participants, 63% were white and the remaining 37% represented diverse races/ethnicities: Indigenous, First Nations, Métis, or Inuit; Black, East or Southeast Asian; Latino/Latina/Latine/Latinx; and South Asian. A minority (21%) identified as cisgender. A reflexive thematic analysis of the verbatim interview transcripts focused on the topic of autonomy in the context of MAID-MI within the Atlantic Canadian healthcare system. These results identify possible complications for MAID-MI implementation and highlight areas where additional safeguards could be enacted to ensure equity for and prevent abuse of power against 2S/LGBTQ+ or other marginalized communities. | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Graduate | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/19371 | |
| dc.language | English | eng |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.rights | Available to the World Wide Web | |
| dc.subject | 2S/LGBTQ+ | |
| dc.subject | mental illness | |
| dc.subject | Atlantic Canada | |
| dc.subject | medical assistance in dying | |
| dc.title | Medical assistance in dying and mental illness: Perspectives from 2S/LGBTQ+ individuals in Atlantic Canada | |
| dc.type | Thesis |