Trust in providers and social media stories on expectations of discrimination among sexual and gender minority young adults

This cross-sectional study examined how gender identity, trust in providers, and reading positive healthcare stories on social media may influence expectations of exposure to discrimination in healthcare among sexual and gender minority young adults. Data were collected from 179 cisgender and 56 transgender or gender-diverse young adults in the USA in 2022 and 2023. Participants completed online self-report measures regarding identity, trust in providers, social media healthcare stories, and stress processes. A moderated moderation was used to analyse whether (1) transgender or gender-diverse individuals expected discrimination in healthcare more than cisgender individuals; and whether (2) trust in providers and reading positive social media healthcare stories buffered that relationship. Transgender or gender-diverse participants expected discrimination significantly more than cisgender participants. Individuals with high trust in healthcare providers expected discrimination significantly less than those with low trust. Among transgender or gender diverse individuals with low trust in providers, reading positive social media healthcare stories was associated with significantly reduced expectations of discrimination. Increased trust in providers may help reduce expectations of discrimination for sexual and gender minority young adults. For transgender or gender-diverse young adults with low trust in providers, reading about positive healthcare experiences may also reduce expectations of discrimination.