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Mezzalira S, Scandurra C, Mezza F, Miscioscia M, Innamorati M, Bochicchio V. Gender Felt Pressure, Affective Domains, and Mental Health Outcomes among Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review with Developmental and Clinical Implications. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:ijerph20010785. [PMID: 36613106 PMCID: PMC9819455 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Although capable of mobilizing significant resilience factors to face stigma and discrimination, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents tend to suffer from more adverse mental health outcomes compared to their cisgender counterparts. The minority stressors that this population faces are mainly due to the gender-based pressure to conform to their assigned gender. This systematic review was aimed at assessing the potential mental health issues that affect the TGD population. The literature search was conducted in three databases; namely, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science, based on the PRISMA guidelines. The 33 articles included in the systematic review pointed out how TGD children and adolescents experience high levels of anxiety and depression, as well as other emotional and behavioral problems, such as eating disorders and substance use. Resilience factors have been also pointed out, which aid this population in facing these negative mental health outcomes. The literature review highlighted that, on the one hand, TGD individuals appear to exhibit high levels of resilience; nonetheless, health disparities exist for TGD individuals compared with the general population, which are mainly attributable to the societal gender pressure to conform to their assigned gender. Considerations for research and clinical practice are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Mezzalira
- Department of Humanities, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
| | - Cristiano Scandurra
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences, and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Mezza
- SInAPSi Center, University of Naples Federico II, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Marina Miscioscia
- Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Innamorati
- Department of History, Cultural Heritage, Education, and Society, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Bochicchio
- Department of Humanities, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Child- and family-level factors as predictors of Chinese children’s generalized anxiety disorder symptoms in middle childhood. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03583-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Goetz TG, Adams N. The Transgender and Gender Diverse and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Nexus: A Systematic Review. JOURNAL OF GAY & LESBIAN MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 28:2-19. [PMID: 38577478 PMCID: PMC10989732 DOI: 10.1080/19359705.2022.2109119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Prior work suggests an increased prevalence of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) among transgender and/or gender diverse (TGD) individuals. This systematic review summarizes primary literature on TGD/ADHD experience. Methods Texts from databases, reference lists, and referral were screened per PRISMA guidelines, with author consensus. Results Since 2014, 17 articles have been published on the TGD/ADHD nexus. Gender-affirming care specialists authored 65%. 71% reported prevalence, per medical records. Only case reports discussed implications. None avoided deficit-framing, nor included explicit TGD/ADHD authorship. Conclusions The paucity of literature and lack of explicit TGD/ADHD community involvement are striking; each warrants increased attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teddy G Goetz
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Noah Adams
- Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Center for Applied Transgender Studies, Chicago, IL USA
- Transgender Professional Association for Transgender Health
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Kaufman CC, Mohr O, Olezeski CL. Spirituality, Religion and Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Affirmative Care with Youth and Families: Guidelines and Recommendations. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2022:10.1007/s10880-022-09892-7. [PMID: 35708877 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-022-09892-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
An increasing number of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) youth are seeking gender-affirming medical treatments and affirmative mental health supports. The field currently lacks guidelines or recommendations for the integration of spirituality and religion into such care. Providers must consider spirituality and religion when working with this population because it may reduce the burden of adversity and may also improve the likelihood of positive outcomes among this population. Informed by an adapted version of the Minority Stress Model and the cultural humility framework, our manuscript details recommendations for interdisciplinary care with TGNC youth and families in the following areas: functional assessment of spirituality and religion as they relate to gender identity, parental support, medical decision making, coping; religious/spiritual referral; psychotherapy referral; and community advocacy. Recommendations offer providers in interdisciplinary settings applicable frameworks and guidelines for integrating spirituality and religion into care with TGNC youth and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline C Kaufman
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, 115 Mill St, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | | | - Christy L Olezeski
- Departments of Psychiatry and Child Study, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
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Berg D, Tellawi G, Anderson SO, Nic Rider G. Beyond diagnosis: Prepubescent gender expansive children on the margins of clinical measures. INFANT AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/icd.2311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dianne Berg
- National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Ghazel Tellawi
- National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - Sloan Okrey Anderson
- National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis Minnesota USA
| | - G. Nic Rider
- National Center for Gender Spectrum Health, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health University of Minnesota Medical School Minneapolis Minnesota USA
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Howe EG. Caring for Transgender Adolescents. THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ETHICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1086/jce2021324277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Social Support and Internalizing Psychopathology in Transgender Youth. J Youth Adolesc 2021; 50:841-854. [PMID: 33575917 PMCID: PMC8272454 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-020-01391-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Although increasing numbers of children have socially transitioned to live in line with their gender identities, little is known about factors associated with their wellbeing. This study examines the associations between parent-reported family, peer, and school support for a youth's gender identity, as well as an objective measure of state-level support, with parent-reported internalizing symptoms in 265 transgender youth (67.2% transgender girls, 32.8% transgender boys), ages 3-15 years (M = 9.41, SD = 2.62). Parents who reported higher levels of family, peer, and school support for their child's gender identity also reported fewer internalizing symptoms; the objective measure of state-level support was not related to internalizing symptoms. Additionally, peer and school support buffered against the association between gender-related victimization and internalizing symptoms, as reported by parents. This work demonstrates that even among transgender youth with families who supported their transitions, parents see better well-being in their children when they also see more support for the child's gender identity from family, peers, and schools.
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Atteberry-Ash B, Kattari SK, Harner V, Prince DM, Verdino AP, Kattari L, Park IY. Differential Experiences of Mental Health among Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth in Colorado. Behav Sci (Basel) 2021; 11:48. [PMID: 33918631 PMCID: PMC8069714 DOI: 10.3390/bs11040048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Young people experience a variety of mental health concerns, including depression, non-suicidal self-injury, and suicidal ideation. These issues are at even higher rates among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) young people, due to the additional burden of having to navigate a world in which transphobia impacts them at the individual, organizational, and policy levels. However, much of the extant research focuses only on comparing TGD youth to cisgender counterparts. This study explores the nuance within the TDG youth population regarding mental health, examining how gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation change the likelihood of experiencing each of these mental health concerns. Among a sample of over 400 young people, findings indicate that those TGD young people who do not identify themselves within the masculine/feminine binary and those with marginalized sexual orientations were two to three times more likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes, as compared to their peers who are questioning their gender, and who are heterosexual. The implications for mental health professionals and others who work with young people are to recognize that mental health is not a one-size-fits all model for young TGD people, and that the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, must be addressed in order to improve the mental health of this group of young people. Findings can also be used to better understand issues of stigma, discrimination, and victimization in education, health care, and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittanie Atteberry-Ash
- School of Social Work, University of Texas Arlington, 211 S Cooper St., Arlington, TX 76019, USA
| | - Shanna K. Kattari
- School of Social Work and College of Literature, Science, and the Arts Department of Women’s and Gender Studies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA;
| | - Vern Harner
- School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA;
| | - Dana M. Prince
- The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA;
| | - Anthony P. Verdino
- School of Social Service Administration, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA;
| | - Leonardo Kattari
- School of Social Work, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA;
| | - In Young Park
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80208, USA;
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