Mental Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

Natalie M. Wittlin; Laura E. Kuper; Kristina R. Olson

doi:10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072220-020326

Mental Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

Natalie M. Wittlin, Laura E. Kuper, Kristina R. Olson

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

69 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents are an increasingly visible yet highly stigmatized group. These youth experience more psychological distress than not only their cisgender, heterosexual peers but also their cisgender, sexual minority peers. In this review, we document these mental health disparities and discuss potential explanations for them using a minority stress framework. We also discuss factors that may increase and decrease TGD youth’s vulnerability to psychological distress. Further, we review interventions, including gender-affirming medical care, that may improve mental health in TGD youth. We conclude by discussing limitations of current research and suggestions for the future.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	207-232
Number of pages	26
Journal	Annual Review of Clinical Psychology
Volume	19
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072220-020326
State	Published - May 9 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Clinical Psychology
Psychiatry and Mental health

Keywords

adolescents
children
mental health
transgender
youth

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10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-072220-020326

Cite this

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title = "Mental Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth",

abstract = "Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents are an increasingly visible yet highly stigmatized group. These youth experience more psychological distress than not only their cisgender, heterosexual peers but also their cisgender, sexual minority peers. In this review, we document these mental health disparities and discuss potential explanations for them using a minority stress framework. We also discuss factors that may increase and decrease TGD youth{\textquoteright}s vulnerability to psychological distress. Further, we review interventions, including gender-affirming medical care, that may improve mental health in TGD youth. We conclude by discussing limitations of current research and suggestions for the future.",

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AU - Wittlin, Natalie M.

AU - Kuper, Laura E.

AU - Olson, Kristina R.

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N2 - Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents are an increasingly visible yet highly stigmatized group. These youth experience more psychological distress than not only their cisgender, heterosexual peers but also their cisgender, sexual minority peers. In this review, we document these mental health disparities and discuss potential explanations for them using a minority stress framework. We also discuss factors that may increase and decrease TGD youth’s vulnerability to psychological distress. Further, we review interventions, including gender-affirming medical care, that may improve mental health in TGD youth. We conclude by discussing limitations of current research and suggestions for the future.

AB - Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) children and adolescents are an increasingly visible yet highly stigmatized group. These youth experience more psychological distress than not only their cisgender, heterosexual peers but also their cisgender, sexual minority peers. In this review, we document these mental health disparities and discuss potential explanations for them using a minority stress framework. We also discuss factors that may increase and decrease TGD youth’s vulnerability to psychological distress. Further, we review interventions, including gender-affirming medical care, that may improve mental health in TGD youth. We conclude by discussing limitations of current research and suggestions for the future.

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KW - children

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KW - youth

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ER -

Mental Health of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth

Abstract

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Keywords

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