Pablo K Valente1, Jordan D Dworkin2, Curtis Dolezal2, Anneliese A Singh3, Allen J LeBlanc4, Walter O Bockting5. 1. Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, 121 South Main Street, 4th Floor, Providence, RI, 02912, USA. 2. Division of Gender, Sexuality, and Health, New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Psychiatry, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA. 3. Tulane University School of Social Work, 127 Elk Place, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA. 4. Health Equity Institute, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Ave, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA. 5. Division of Gender, Sexuality, and Health, New York State Psychiatric Institute/Columbia Psychiatry, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, NY, 10032, USA. wb2273@cumc.columbia.edu.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Gender-based stigma is a fundamental cause of mental health disparities among transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals, while resilience factors may be protective. We examined prospective relationships between gender-based enacted stigma, psychological distress, and resilience factors among TGNB individuals. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2017, we enrolled 330 TGNB individuals in three metropolitan areas in the U.S. in a prospective cohort study focused on gender identity development, risk, and resilience across the lifespan. Using multilevel regression, we examined prospective associations between enacted gender-based stigma and psychological distress (measured by the Global Severity Index/BSI-18), and examined transgender pride and social support as moderators, adjusting for age, sex assigned at birth, race/ethnicity, education, and income. RESULTS: Our sample was diverse in age (M = 34.4, range 16-87) and race/ethnicity (56.4% non-White). Over 2 years of follow-up, there was a decrease in reported gender-based stigma (b = - 0.61, p < 0.001) and transgender pride (b = - 0.14, p = 0.003), increase in social support (b = 0.21, p < 0.001), and no change in psychological distress. In adjusted analyses, gender-based stigma was positively associated with psychological distress (b = 1.10, p < 0.001) and social support was negatively associated with psychological distress (b = - 2.60, p < 0.001). Transgender pride moderated the relationship between stigma and psychological distress (p < 0.01), such that the association was stronger for lower levels of transgender pride. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides longitudinal evidence for the deleterious role of gender-based stigma among TGNB individuals. Future interventions should consider fostering transgender pride and social support to promote mental health and mitigate negative effects of gender-based stigma.
PURPOSE: Gender-based stigma is a fundamental cause of mental health disparities among transgender and non-binary (TGNB) individuals, while resilience factors may be protective. We examined prospective relationships between gender-based enacted stigma, psychological distress, and resilience factors among TGNB individuals. METHODS: Between 2016 and 2017, we enrolled 330 TGNB individuals in three metropolitan areas in the U.S. in a prospective cohort study focused on gender identity development, risk, and resilience across the lifespan. Using multilevel regression, we examined prospective associations between enacted gender-based stigma and psychological distress (measured by the Global Severity Index/BSI-18), and examined transgender pride and social support as moderators, adjusting for age, sex assigned at birth, race/ethnicity, education, and income. RESULTS: Our sample was diverse in age (M = 34.4, range 16-87) and race/ethnicity (56.4% non-White). Over 2 years of follow-up, there was a decrease in reported gender-based stigma (b = - 0.61, p < 0.001) and transgender pride (b = - 0.14, p = 0.003), increase in social support (b = 0.21, p < 0.001), and no change in psychological distress. In adjusted analyses, gender-based stigma was positively associated with psychological distress (b = 1.10, p < 0.001) and social support was negatively associated with psychological distress (b = - 2.60, p < 0.001). Transgender pride moderated the relationship between stigma and psychological distress (p < 0.01), such that the association was stronger for lower levels of transgender pride. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides longitudinal evidence for the deleterious role of gender-based stigma among TGNB individuals. Future interventions should consider fostering transgender pride and social support to promote mental health and mitigate negative effects of gender-based stigma.
Authors: Jeffrey S Becasen; Christa L Denard; Mary M Mullins; Darrel H Higa; Theresa Ann Sipe Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2018-11-29 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Pablo K Valente; Eric W Schrimshaw; Curtis Dolezal; Allen J LeBlanc; Anneliese A Singh; Walter O Bockting Journal: Arch Sex Behav Date: 2020-06-23
Authors: Larry Nuttbrock; Walter Bockting; Andrew Rosenblum; Sel Hwahng; Mona Mason; Monica Macri; Jeffrey Becker Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-06-14 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Walter O Bockting; Michael H Miner; Rebecca E Swinburne Romine; Autumn Hamilton; Eli Coleman Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2013-03-14 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Walter O Bockting; Michael H Miner; Rebecca E Swinburne Romine; Curtis Dolezal; Beatrice Bean E Robinson; B R Simon Rosser; Eli Coleman Journal: LGBT Health Date: 2019-12-24 Impact factor: 4.151