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Clayton A, Amos AJ, Spencer J, Clarke P. Implications of the Cass Review for health policy governing gender medicine for Australian minors. Australas Psychiatry 2024:10398562241276335. [PMID: 39216994 DOI: 10.1177/10398562241276335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To summarize the key recommendations of England's independent inquiry into gender identity services for children and young people (the Cass Review) and to evaluate their relevance to Australian health policy. CONCLUSIONS The Cass Review's findings and recommendations have clear applicability to Australian health policy. As a matter of priority, Australian health authorities need to seriously engage with the Cass Review's findings and recommendations. To not do so will put the health and well-being of vulnerable children and young people at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Clayton
- School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew James Amos
- Division of Tropical Health and Medicine, College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Jillian Spencer
- Greater Brisbane Clinical school, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Patrick Clarke
- Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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McNamara M, McLamore Q, Meade N, Olgun M, Robinson H, Alstott A. A thematic analysis of disinformation in gender-affirming healthcare bans in the United States. Soc Sci Med 2024; 351:116943. [PMID: 38759383 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.116943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
CONTEXT Bans on gender-affirming care (GAC) for transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) people are grounded in scientific disinformation and have been challenged in American courts. METHODS Five legal filings by state officials in defense of GAC restriction from initial litigation were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Themes and subthemes of disinformation were identified after review and analysis of these filings. FINDINGS Five themes of disinformation emerged: False and misleading claims about (1) gender dysphoria and gender identity, (2) the evidence regarding GAC, (3) standard practice of GAC, (4) the safety of GAC, and finally, (5) rejection of medical authority. These themes were well represented across the analyzed documents. CONCLUSIONS The five disinformation themes and subthemes have been noted in lower courts, but have seen some purchase in appellate courts, suggesting that medical disinformation in law may have far-reaching consequences for medical policy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicolas Meade
- Yale School of Medicine, United States; University of Missouri at Columbia, United States
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Mittertreiner EJ, Ng-Cordell E, McVey AJ, Kerns CM. Research methods at the intersection of gender diversity and autism: A scoping review. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2024:13623613241245595. [PMID: 38661070 DOI: 10.1177/13623613241245595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Research has increasingly focused on the intersection between gender diversity and autism. To better understand this literature, this scoping review systematically searched five databases for peer-reviewed literature on gender diversity and autism published between 2018 and 2023. Included studies (N = 84) were of English language, featured original qualitative or quantitative findings, and examined a psychosocial connection between autism and gender spectra variables. Most studies focused on measuring prevalence of autism among gender-diverse individuals. While the overall study rigor was acceptable, weaknesses in measurement, sample selection, and definition of key terms were noted. Promisingly, studies in this area appear to be shifting away from a pathologizing lens and towards research methods that engage in meaningful collaboration with the autistic, gender-diverse community to investigate how to best enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alana J McVey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Autism Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, United States
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Skinner SR, McLamore Q, Donaghy O, Stathis S, Moore JK, Nguyen T, Rayner C, Tait R, Anderson J, Pang KC. Recognizing and responding to misleading trans health research. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRANSGENDER HEALTH 2024; 25:1-9. [PMID: 38328590 PMCID: PMC10846477 DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2024.2289318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Rachel Skinner
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, Children’s Hospital Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia
- Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, Australia
| | | | - Olivia Donaghy
- Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Stephen Stathis
- Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Julia K. Moore
- Child and Adolescent Health Service Gender Diversity Service, Perth Children’s Hospital, Perth, Australia
- School of Psychiatry and School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Tram Nguyen
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Cate Rayner
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Australia
| | - Robert Tait
- Maple Leaf House, John Hunter Children’s Hospital, Newcastle, Australia
| | | | - Ken C. Pang
- Department of Adolescent Medicine, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Parkville, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Belmont N, Cronin TJ, Pepping CA. Affirmation-support, parental conflict, and mental health outcomes of transgender and gender diverse youth. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TRANSGENDER HEALTH 2023; 25:50-62. [PMID: 38328589 PMCID: PMC10846426 DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2023.2252418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Background: Transgender and gender diverse young people (TGDY) are at higher risk of psychosocial distress relative to their cisgender counterparts. TGDY rely heavily on their parents to support their desired affirmation and to facilitate access to legal and medical affirmation. While it is well understood that parent conflict negatively impacts the well-being of children and young people, little is known about how parental conflict and parental affirmation support are related to TGDY well-being. Aims: The aim of the present study was to (1) explore affirmation experiences of TGDY, as reported by their parents, focusing in particular on parental support for affirmation and barriers to affirmation, and (2) test whether parental support and aspects of the coparenting relationship predicted TGDY mental health outcomes. Method: A sample of 63 parents (Mage = 45.71 years) of TGDY (aged 11 to 17 years) completed an online survey. Results: Almost 90% of the TGDY reported on had socially affirmed their gender, though fewer had taken steps to legally or medically affirm their gender. Parental support for affirmation was generally very high, and reported discrepancies between coparents were generally low; however, discrepancies were greatest for medical affirmation. Finally, parent support for affirmation was a strong predictor of lower TGDY depressive symptoms, though parental conflict did not predict TGDY mental health. Conclusion: Results highlight the important role of parental support for gender affirmation. Further research is needed to track the role of parental support and affirmation on TGDY well-being over time, and to ensure that such research is completed with more diverse samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Belmont
- School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Timothy J. Cronin
- School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Christopher A. Pepping
- School of Psychology & Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
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Morandini JS, Kelly A, de Graaf NM, Malouf P, Guerin E, Dar-Nimrod I, Carmichael P. Is Social Gender Transition Associated with Mental Health Status in Children and Adolescents with Gender Dysphoria? ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:1045-1060. [PMID: 37014582 PMCID: PMC10101898 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02588-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Social gender transition is an increasingly accepted intervention for gender variant children and adolescents. To date, there is scant literature comparing the mental health of children and adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria who have socially transitioned versus those who are still living in their birth-assigned gender. We examined the mental health of children and adolescents referred to the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), a specialist clinic in London, UK, who had socially transitioned (i.e., were living in their affirmed gender and/or had changed their name) versus those who had not socially transitioned. Referrals to the GIDS were aged 4-17 years. We assessed mental health correlates of living in one's affirmed gender among 288 children and adolescents (208 birth-assigned female; 210 socially transitioned) and of name change in 357 children and adolescents (253 birth-assigned female; 214 name change). The presence or absence of mood and anxiety difficulties and past suicide attempts were clinician rated. Living in role and name change were more prevalent in birth-assigned females versus birth-assigned males. Overall, there were no significant effects of social transition or name change on mental health status. These findings identify the need for more research to understand how social transition influences mental health, including longitudinal studies that allow for more confident inferences to be made regarding the relationship between social transition and mental health in young people with gender dysphoria.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Morandini
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Aidan Kelly
- Gender Service Organization, Kelly Psychology, London, UK
| | - Nastasja M de Graaf
- Center of Expertise on Gender Dyphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pia Malouf
- King Street Psychology Clinic, Newtown, Australia
| | - Evan Guerin
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ilan Dar-Nimrod
- School of Psychology, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Clayton A. Gender-Affirming Treatment of Gender Dysphoria in Youth: A Perfect Storm Environment for the Placebo Effect-The Implications for Research and Clinical Practice. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2023; 52:483-494. [PMID: 36376741 PMCID: PMC9886596 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-022-02472-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Clayton
- School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Australia.
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Clayton A. The Gender Affirmative Treatment Model for Youth with Gender Dysphoria: A Medical Advance or Dangerous Medicine? ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:691-698. [PMID: 34811654 PMCID: PMC8888500 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02232-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alison Clayton
- School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
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