We Find Strength in Each Other: The Psychosocial Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Malay Trans Women in Malaysia

Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen; Rafidah Hanim  Mokhtar; Nizam Baharom; Mohamed Fakhri Abu Baharin; Khadijah Hasanah Abang Abdullah; Zainora Daud

doi:10.33102/uij.vol35no02.541

Authors

Fathima Begum Syed Mohideen a:1:{s:5:"en_US";s:39:"Family Medicine Specialist and Lecturer";}
Rafidah Hanim Mokhtar
Nizam Baharom
Mohamed Fakhri Abu Baharin
Khadijah Hasanah Abang Abdullah
Zainora Daud

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/uij.vol35no02.541

Keywords:

transgender, LGBTQ, Malaysia, psychology, emotion, COVID-19

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.

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