Penelope Strauss1, Angus Cook2, Sam Winter3, Vanessa Watson4, Dani Wright Toussaint5, Ashleigh Lin5. 1. Telethon Kids Institute & School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. 2. School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. 3. School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia. 4. Western Australian Department of Health, YouthLink, North Metropolitan Area Health Service, Perth, Australia. 5. Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people worldwide experience high rates of poor mental health; however, these rates were unknown in Australia. In addition, how negative life events affect the mental health of TGD young people has been largely unexplored. METHODS: This paper reports on novel mental health findings of Trans Pathways, the largest study ever conducted in Australia with trans (transgender) and gender diverse young people (N = 859; aged 14-25 years). The study was an anonymous online cross-sectional survey undertaken in 2016. Logistic and linear regression models were used to test associations between mental health outcomes and negative life experiences. RESULTS: TGD young people in Australia experience high levels of mental distress, including self-harming (79.7%), suicidal thoughts (82.4%), and attempting suicide (48.1%). Three in four participants had been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety (74.6% and 72.2%, respectively). Many TGD young people had been exposed to negative experiences such as peer rejection (89.0%), precarious accommodation (22.0%), bullying (74.0%), and discrimination (68.9%). Most poor mental health outcomes were associated with negative experiences. The strongest associations were found for precarious accommodation and issues within educational settings. For example, participants with a prior suicide attempt were almost six times more likely to have experienced issues with accommodation, including homelessness. CONCLUSIONS: The current results highlight the urgent need for better mental health care and provide insight into areas for targeted mental health interventions. These findings are pertinent for clinicians working with trans young people and wider society.
BACKGROUND: Trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people worldwide experience high rates of poor mental health; however, these rates were unknown in Australia. In addition, how negative life events affect the mental health of TGD young people has been largely unexplored. METHODS: This paper reports on novel mental health findings of Trans Pathways, the largest study ever conducted in Australia with trans (transgender) and gender diverse young people (N = 859; aged 14-25 years). The study was an anonymous online cross-sectional survey undertaken in 2016. Logistic and linear regression models were used to test associations between mental health outcomes and negative life experiences. RESULTS:TGD young people in Australia experience high levels of mental distress, including self-harming (79.7%), suicidal thoughts (82.4%), and attempting suicide (48.1%). Three in four participants had been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety (74.6% and 72.2%, respectively). Many TGD young people had been exposed to negative experiences such as peer rejection (89.0%), precarious accommodation (22.0%), bullying (74.0%), and discrimination (68.9%). Most poor mental health outcomes were associated with negative experiences. The strongest associations were found for precarious accommodation and issues within educational settings. For example, participants with a prior suicide attempt were almost six times more likely to have experienced issues with accommodation, including homelessness. CONCLUSIONS: The current results highlight the urgent need for better mental health care and provide insight into areas for targeted mental health interventions. These findings are pertinent for clinicians working with trans young people and wider society.
Authors: Helen Morgan; Amanda O'Donovan; Renita Almeida; Ashleigh Lin; Yael Perry Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Sav Zwickl; Alex Fang Qi Wong; Eden Dowers; Shalem Yiner-Lee Leemaqz; Ingrid Bretherton; Teddy Cook; Jeffrey D Zajac; Paul S F Yip; Ada S Cheung Journal: BMC Psychiatry Date: 2021-02-08 Impact factor: 3.630
Authors: Julia K Moore; Cati S Thomas; Hans-Willem van Hall; Penelope Strauss; Liz A Saunders; Melanie Harry; Simone Mahfouda; Sahra J Lawrence; Florian D Zepf; Ashleigh Lin Journal: Int J Transgend Health Date: 2020-09-25
Authors: Simone Mahfouda; Christina Panos; Andrew J O Whitehouse; Cati S Thomas; Murray Maybery; Penelope Strauss; Florian D Zepf; Amanda O'Donovan; Hans-Willem van Hall; Liz A Saunders; Julia K Moore; Ashleigh Lin Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-09-20 Impact factor: 4.241