Addressing Legislation That Restricts Access to Care for Transgender Youth

Depression and anxiety in transgender and non-binary adolescents: prevalence and associations between adolescent and caregiver reports

Transgender/non-binary (TNB) adolescents are at increased risk for mental health concerns, and caregiver awareness is important to facilitate access to care. Yet, limited research has examined caregiver awareness of TNB mental health. Thus, we examined (1) the prevalence of internalizing symptoms (depression, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, social anxiety) among TNB adolescents and (2) associations between adolescent and caregiver reports of adolescent mental health symptoms. TNB adolescents (N = 75) aged 12-18 and a caregiver were recruited from a multidisciplinary gender clinic in Ohio. Adolescents self-reported their mental health symptoms via the CDI and SCARED. Caregivers reported their perceptions of the adolescent's mental health symptoms via the CASI-5. Descriptive statistics assessed participant characteristics, adolescent self-reported mental health symptoms, and caregiver proxy reports of adolescent mental health symptoms. Pearson's correlations and scatterplots were used to compare adolescent and caregiver reports and McNemar tests assessed if the differences were statistically significant. Most TNB adolescents reported elevated symptoms of depression (59%), generalized anxiety (75%), separation anxiety (52%), and social anxiety (78%). Caregiver and adolescent reports were significantly correlated for depression (r = .36, p = .002), separation anxiety (r = .39, p < .001), and social anxiety (r = .47, p < .001). Caregiver and adolescent reports of generalized anxiety were not significantly correlated (r = .21, p = .08). McNemar tests were significant (all p < .001), such that adolescents' reports met clinical cutoffs far more than their caregivers' reports.

CONCLUSIONS

Though adolescent and caregiver reports were low to moderately correlated, youth reports were consistently higher, suggesting the importance of interventions to increase caregiver understanding of TNB adolescent mental health.

WHAT IS KNOWN

• Transgender/non-binary adolescents are at high risk for mental health concerns and caregivers are essential to coordinate care.

WHAT IS NEW

• This study expands the diagnostic mental health sub-categories examined in transgender/non-binary adolescents, noting elevated symptoms of separation and social anxiety. • Transgender/non-binary adolescents reported more symptoms of depression, generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and social anxiety than caregivers.

Two-Year Follow-Up Study of Health-Related Quality of Life Among Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth Receiving Gender-Affirming Care

Purpose

To examine changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL), this 2-year follow-up study reassessed the HRQOL of transgender and gender expansive (TG/GE) young people enrolled in a patient registry at the Gender Wellness Center (GWC) in upstate New York.

Methods

Registry patients had to have a gender-affirming care follow-up visit at the GWC within a 2 year window (+6 months) of their baseline survey to complete follow-up. Youth <18 years of age completed the Child Health Questionnaire-Child Form 87 (CHQ-CF87); youth >18 years of age completed the Short Form-36v2 (SF-36v2). We analyzed change from baseline to follow-up for 11 CHQ-CF87 subscales and 8 SF-36v2 subscales. We compared follow-up HRQOL results to U.S. population standards. We abstracted receipt of gender-affirming care from GWC electronic medical records.

Results

Among the 173 patients who completed HRQOL assessments at baseline, 108 completed follow-up (62% response rate) from May 2019 to March 2022. The mean age for those completing the CHQ-CF87 was 14.6±2.2 years (range 10-17) and for the SF-36v2 was 19.7±2.3 years (range 18-24). CHQ-CF87 Behavior and Role/Social Physical Functioning subscale scores improved significantly among youth 8-17 years of age from baseline. Follow-up SF-36v2 scores for patients 18-24 years of age did not change significantly. Follow-up HRQOL mental health scores remained statistically significantly lower than U.S. population standards for both age groups.

Conclusions

Two year follow-up HRQOL data from TG/GE youth receiving gender-affirming care improved in two domains, but did not change among young adults (>18 years of age). Mental health remains suboptimal compared to national standards.

Parents of Gender Diverse Youth: Support Sought, Received, and Still Needed

PURPOSE

Gender diverse youth (GDY) have improved mental health when affirmed by parents, but little is known about the support parents of GDY seek, receive, and still need. This qualitative study explored experiences of parents of GDY to better understand their support needs.

METHODS

Parents of GDY submitted videos and were interviewed about their journey supporting their GDY. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached. Audio recordings from videos and interviews were transcribed and analyzed via an inductive thematic analysis using the rigorous and accelerated data reduction technique.

RESULTS

In total, 25 parents of GDY (mean age 15 years, range 6-21 years) from 12 states provided video recordings and interviews; 36% were People of Color and 28% were fathers. We identified four themes and 12 subthemes. Theme 1: support through education included acknowledging ignorance about gender diversity and remedying ignorance. Theme 2: engaging community noted that support was multilayered and based around the family unit and pre-existing community. Theme 3: expanding community included acknowledgement that seeking new community was important for many to reduce feelings of isolation. It also highlighted that "safe spaces" for parents of GDY were not always safe for those of other marginalized groups, particularly People of Color. Theme 4: support in healthcare spaces centered experiences navigating medical and mental healthcare for GDY and feeling supported and unsupported in those spaces.

DISCUSSION

Parents identified numerous ways they sought, received, and needed support to understand and affirm their GDY. These findings will aid development of targeted support interventions for parents of GDY. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of these interventions on GDY health.

The True Cost of Antitransgender Legislation

A large body of research finds that sexual and gender minorities experience disparities in health equity that stem from structural discrimination. In particular, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) patients face barriers in access to gender-affirming care (GAC). As of December 2021, 35 state legislatures have introduced >100 bills that categorically deny TGD individuals' human rights and outlaw medically necessary GAC. Importantly, the economic consequences of discriminatory legislation and denial of health care for TGD individuals are void in the literature. This perspective outlines the economic impact of antitransgender policy and calls for federal intervention to protect TGD rights.

Prospective Evaluation of Psychosocial Changes After Chest Reconstruction in Transmasculine and Non-Binary Youth

PURPOSE

This study sought to prospectively examine the effects of gender-affirming chest reconstruction on gender congruence and chest dysphoria in transmasculine and nonbinary adolescents and young adults.

METHODS

Individuals between the ages of 15-35 who were seeking gender-affirming chest surgery were enrolled as part of a broader, longitudinal study of transgender surgical experiences. Their chest dysphoria and gender congruence were measured at baseline, six months, and one year, using the Transgender Congruence and Chest Dysphoria scales. Repeated measures analysis of variance were used to detect differences in scores across assessment points. Where there were significant differences indicated, Tukey's honestly significant difference test was used to determine which differences in mean scores were significant between assessment points, as well as how results differed by demographic factors.

RESULTS

The analytical sample consisted of 153 individuals who had completed both the baseline and at least one follow-up assessment - 36 (24%) endorsing a nonbinary gender and 59 (38%) under the age of 18. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated significant differences in gender congruence, appearance congruence, and chest dysphoria between at least two assessment points for the total sample and each subgroup (binary/non-binary and adult/minor). Honestly significant difference tests indicated no significant differences between the postoperative assessments by age or binary gender.

DISCUSSON

Gender-affirming chest reconstruction improves gender and appearance congruence and reduces chest dysphoria in both non-binary and binary populations of adolescents and young adults. These data support the need to improve access to gender-affirming chest reconstruction for adolescents and young adults and to remove legislative and other barriers to care.

Gender and Sexual Health-Related Knowledge Gaps and Educational Needs of Parents of Transgender and Non-Binary Youth

Parents can have a substantial impact on adolescent sexual decision-making, but few studies have explored the role of parents in providing sexual health information to transgender and non-binary (TNB) youth, a population that experiences significant sexual and mental health disparities and lower levels of perceived family support compared with other youth. This study aimed to elucidate existing knowledge gaps and content deemed important for a sexual health curriculum and educational materials for parents of TNB youth. We conducted 21 qualitative interviews with five parents of TNB youth, 11 TNB youth aged 18+, and five healthcare affiliates to identify parents' educational needs. We analyzed the data using theoretical thematic analysis and consensus coding. Parents self-reported multiple knowledge deficits regarding gender/sexual health for TNB individuals and were primarily concerned with long-term impacts of medical interventions. Youth goals for parents included greater understanding of gender/sexuality and sufficient knowledge to support youth through social transition to their affirmed gender identity. Content areas suggested for a future curriculum for parents of TNB youth included: basics of gender/sexuality, diverse narratives of TNB experiences/identities, gender dysphoria, non-medical gender-affirming interventions, medical gender-affirming interventions, and resources for peer support. Parents desired access to accurate information and wanted to feel equipped to facilitate affirming conversations with their child, something that could combat health disparities among TNB youth. An educational curriculum for parents has the potential to provide a trusted information source, expose parents to positive representations of TNB individuals, and help parents support their TNB child through decisions about potential gender-affirming interventions.

Associations Among Gender-Affirming Hormonal Interventions, Social Support, and Transgender Adolescents' Mental Health

PURPOSE

We aimed to examine the concurrent associations of gender-affirming hormonal interventions (i.e., puberty blockers, testosterone, estrogen), as well as family and friend social support, on transgender and nonbinary (TNB) adolescents' reports of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), and suicidality. We hypothesized that gender-affirming hormonal interventions and greater social support would be associated with lower levels of mental health concerns.

METHODS

Participants (n = 75; aged 11-18; M_age = 16.39 years) were recruited for this cross-sectional study from a gender-affirming multidisciplinary clinic. Fifty-two percent were receiving gender-affirming hormonal interventions. Surveys assessed anxiety and depressive symptoms, NSSI and suicidality in the past year, and social support from family, friends, and significant others. Hierarchical linear regression models examined associations between gender-affirming hormonal interventions and social support (i.e., family, friend) with mental health while accounting for nonbinary gender identity.

RESULTS

Regression models explained 15%-23% of variance in TNB adolescents' mental health outcomes. Gender-affirming hormonal interventions were associated with fewer anxiety symptoms (β = -0.23; p < .05). Family support was associated with fewer depressive symptoms (β = -0.33; p = .003) and less NSSI (β = -0.27; p = .02). Friend support was associated with fewer anxiety symptoms (β = -0.32; p = .007) and less suicidality (β = -0.25; p = .03).

DISCUSSION

TNB adolescents had better mental health outcomes in the context of receiving gender-affirming hormonal interventions and having greater support from family and friends. Findings highlight the important role of quality family and friend support for TNB mental health. Providers should aim to address both medical and social factors to optimize TNB mental health outcomes.

The Perceived Health Implications of Policies and Rhetoric Targeting Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth: A Community-Based Qualitative Study

Purpose

In early 2021, >50 bills targeting transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth in the United States were proposed; these policies and the rhetoric surrounding them is associated with TGD health disparities.

Methods

A community-based qualitative study utilized focus groups with a TGD youth research advisory board to explore their knowledge and perceived impacts of the current policy climate and rhetoric in one Midwestern state.

Results

Themes revealed (1) mental health, (2) structural impacts, and (3) messages to policymakers.

Conclusions

Discriminatory policies and rhetoric harm TGD youth; health professionals should denounce the harmful disinformation perpetuated by these policies.

Geographic Distribution of Clinical Care for Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth

OBJECTIVES

Geographic barriers limit access to clinical care in the United States for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth. Some factors differentiating access to care are variability in state laws/policies, the number of available clinical care programs and mental health providers for TGD youth.

METHODS

We aggregated data from the Human Rights Campaign for pediatric clinical care programs for TGD youth, the Movement Advancement Project for state-by-state assessment of gender identity laws and policies, and Psychology Today for mental health providers for TGD youth by state. Current prevalence rates for TGD youth were applied by state with 2020 Census data. Findings were summarized as a whole and per capita by state, region, and country overall.

RESULTS

The South has the highest number of TGD youth per clinic (36 465-186 377), and the lowest average equality score in gender identity laws and policies (1.96). The Midwest has the highest number of TGD youth per mental health provider (278-1422). The Northeast has the lowest number of TGD youth per clinic (11 094-56 703), the highest average equality score in laws and policies per state (17.75), and the highest average number of TGD youth per mental health providers (87-444).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support there are barriers to TGD youth care throughout the United States, especially the South and Midwest. Increasing medical and mental health care for TGD youth is likely to improve their health and well-being. Enacting gender identity protective laws/policies would allow for equal treatment and access to care among TGD youth.

Association of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue Use With Subsequent Use of Gender-Affirming Hormones Among Transgender Adolescents

IMPORTANCE

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) use during puberty improves mental health among transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adolescents. In previous studies, most (96.5%-98.1%) TGD adolescents who started GnRHa subsequently started gender-affirming hormones (GAH), raising concerns that GnRHa use promotes later use of GAH.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether GnRHa use among TGD adolescents is associated with increased subsequent GAH use.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This is a retrospective cohort study of administrative records collected between 2009 and 2018. The current analysis was completed in August 2022. Participants were enrolled in the US Military Healthcare System (MHS) with an initial TGD-related encounter occurring between ages 10 and 17 years.

EXPOSURES

GnRHa use.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Initiation of GAH.

RESULTS

The 434 patients were a mean (SD) of 15.4 (1.6) years old at the time of their first TGD-related encounter; 312 (71.9%) were assigned female at birth, and 300 (69.1%) had an enlisted insurance sponsor. GnRHa use was more common among patients who were assigned male at birth (28 patients [23.0%]) than those assigned female (42 patients [13.5%]), but GAH use was not. Socioeconomic status was not associated with GnRHa or GAH use. Compared with older patients (aged 14-17 years), those who were younger (aged 10-13 years) at the time of the initial TGD-related encounter had a higher rate of GnRHa use (32 patients [57.1%] vs 38 patients [10.1%]) and a longer median time to starting GAH. The median interval from the date of the initial encounter to starting GAH decreased over time, from 2.3 years (95% CI, 1.7-2.8 years) between October 2009 and December 2014 to 0.6 years (95% CI, 0.5-0.6 years) between September 2016 and April 2018. Patients who were prescribed GnRHa had a longer median time to starting GAH (1.8 years; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4 years) than patients who were not (1.0 years; 95% CI, 0.8-1.2 years) and were less likely to start GAH during the 6 years after their first TGD-related encounter (hazard ratio, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37-0.71). Among 54 younger (aged 10-13 years) patients who were not eligible to start GAH at their first encounter, GnRHa use was associated with a longer median time to starting GAH, but age at the first TGD-related visit was not.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this cohort study of TGD adolescents, GnRHa use was not associated with increased subsequent GAH use. These findings suggest that clinicians can offer the benefits of GnRHa treatment without concern for increasing rates of future GAH use.

Disparities in Pediatric Mental and Behavioral Health Conditions

Mental and behavioral health conditions are common among children and adolescents in the United States. The purpose of this state-of the-art review article is to describe inequities in mental and behavioral health care access and outcomes for children and adolescents, characterize mechanisms behind the inequities, and discuss strategies to decrease them. Understanding the mechanisms underlying these inequities is essential to inform strategies to mitigate these health disparities. Half of United States children with a treatable mental health disorder do not receive treatment from a mental health professional. Children and adolescents in racial, ethnic, sexual, sex, and other minority groups experience inequities in access to care and disparities in outcomes for mental and behavioral health conditions. Suicide rates are nearly twice as high in Black compared to White boys 5 to 11 years old and have been increasing disproportionately among adolescent Black girls 12 to 17 years old. Children identifying as a sexual minority have >3 times increased odds of attempting suicide compared to heterosexual peers. Adverse experiences of children living as part of a minority group, including racism and discrimination, have immediate and lasting effects on mental health. Poverty and an uneven geographic distribution of resources also contribute to inequities in access and disparities in outcomes for mental and behavioral health conditions. Strategies to address inequities in mental and behavioral health among United States children include investing in a diverse workforce of mental health professionals, improving access to school-based services, ensuring equitable access to telehealth, and conducting quality improvement with rigorous attention to equity.

Association of Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy With Depression, Thoughts of Suicide, and Attempted Suicide Among Transgender and Nonbinary Youth

PURPOSE

There are no large-scale studies examining mental health among transgender and nonbinary youth who receive gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT). The purpose of this study is to examine associations among access to GAHT with depression, thoughts of suicide, and attempted suicide among a large sample of transgender and nonbinary youth.

METHODS

Data were collected as part of a 2020 survey of 34,759 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning youth aged 13-24, including 11,914 transgender or nonbinary youth. Adjusted logistic regression assessed whether receipt of GAHT was associated with lower levels of depression, thoughts of suicide, and attempted suicide among those who wanted to receive GAHT.

RESULTS

Half of transgender and nonbinary youth said they were not using GAHT but would like to, 36% were not interested in receiving GAHT, and 14% were receiving GAHT. Parent support for their child's gender identity had a strong relationship with receipt of GAHT, with nearly 80% of those who received GAHT reporting they had at least one parent who supported their gender identity. Use of GAHT was associated with lower odds of recent depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = .73, p < .001) and seriously considering suicide (aOR = .74, p < .001) compared to those who wanted GAHT but did not receive it. For youth under age 18, GAHT was associated with lower odds of recent depression (aOR = .61, p < .01) and of a past-year suicide attempt (aOR = .62, p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings support a relationship between access to GAHT and lower rates of depression and suicidality among transgender and nonbinary youth.