Research on gender diverse youth

I found four very interesting articles related to gender diverse youth. First, Abreu, Martin, Hainsworth, Toomey, Vázquez & Gattamorta (2024) published “Radical Hope in Parents of Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth in the United States” in Journal of Family Psychology. Here’s the edited abstract:

Parental support is crucial in the well-being of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. Research shows that parents of TGD youth often experience stigma and negative mental health outcomes as a result of being exposed to cissexist settings as they advocate and seek services for their child. Yet, there is a lack of research on the experiences of parents of TGD youth in the United States. This study explores the reported hopes of 990 parents (Mage = 48.6 years; SD = 6.7; 88.1% White; 67.3% heterosexual; 89.4% cisgender women) of TGD youth for their children (youth ages 3–18 years) in the United States. Radical hope framework is applied to unpack narratives of hopes by parents of TGD youth as a critical component of resistance and motivation toward healing from oppression. For this study, the following open-ended question was analyzed using thematic analysis: What is your greatest hope for your child? Four main themes and 11 subthemes of parental hopes emerged: (1) living authentically (freely expressing themselves, developing self-love, living a happy and normal life), (2) interpersonal connections (finding community, building social networks and friendships, developing romantic relationships, building their own family, and loved by others), (3) meeting life milestones (career and employment, achieving goals and dreams, and becoming an advocate), and (4) acceptance by society. We provide clinical recommendations grounded on the tenets of radical hope such as collective ways in which parents of TGD youth can engage in both resisting systemic oppression and building strong loving relationships with their child. 

I wanted to start with this one because it is optimistic. I love the “hopes” these parents identified and think they may be helpful to professionals working with parents of gender diverse youth. The next study looks at impacts of child sexual abuse on sexual minority women. Bochicchio, Xu, Veldhuis, McTavish & Hughes (2023) published “Mental Health and Substance Use Among Sexual Minority Women Who Report Childhood Sexual Abuse: A systematic literature review” in Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. Here are the edited abstract and impact statements:

A growing body of literature provides evidence that sexual minority women (SMW; e.g., lesbian, bisexual) are at greater risk of negative mental health and substance use outcomes than are heterosexual women. While minority stress may partially explain these disparities, it does not fully account for them. Therefore, it is necessary to identify how other risk factors (i.e., childhood sexual abuse [CSA]) contribute to SMW’s increased risk of negative mental health and substance use outcomes. We conducted a systematic literature review to identify and synthesize the state of knowledge about CSA and mental health and substance use outcomes among SMW. Two independent reviewers screened 347 articles identified in searches of five databases (Web of Science, PsycInfo, CINAHL, PubMed, and Embase). Eligible articles were peer-reviewed, reported quantitative or mixed methods results focused on mental health or substance use outcomes among adult SMW with a history of CSA. Twenty-four papers were included in the review. Findings clearly show that SMW report higher rates of CSA than heterosexual women. Findings also suggest that CSA may mediate the relationship between minority sexual identity and some negative outcomes. Future studies should include minority stress factors, a broader range of mental health outcomes (apart from substance use and suicide), and more nuanced measures of CSA. 

Women who identify as sexual minority women (SMW) are more likely than heterosexual women to experience mental health and substance use problems. This disparity has primarily been attributed to the stress associated with being part of a marginalized group. However, minority stress does not fully explain SMW increased risk of negative mental health and substance use outcomes. This systematic review sought to understand how another important risk factor (i.e., childhood sexual abuse [CSA]) may contribute to negative mental health and substance outcomes among SMW. Despite inconsistencies in definitions of CSA, SMW who reported CSA showed higher risk of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, suicidal ideation and attempts, alcohol-related problems, and substance use disorders than those who did not. Bisexual women and SMW of color appear to experience the most negative outcomes. 

The finding that gender diverse women more often reports child sexual abuse is not news. What I found helpful was the extensive review identifying substantial risks of mental health problems, PTSD, and substance abuse problems. The next study focuses on suicidal thoughts.Salim & Messman (2024) published “Suicidal Thoughts among Young Bisexual Women: Sexual violence, minority stress, and interpersonal factors” in Journal of Counseling Psychology. The edited abstract and impact statements follow:

The present study tested a model of suicidal thoughts among bisexual women focusing on sexual violence, bisexual minority stress, and risk factors for suicide identified within the interpersonal theory of suicide (i.e., perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness). The model was tested using cross-sectional, baseline data and longitudinally using 3- and 6-month follow-up assessments in a sample of bisexual women (N = 393, 98.3% cisgender, ages 18–35). Using structural equation modeling, we tested a serial mediation model predicting recent suicidal thoughts related to sexual violence and antibisexual stigma via internalized binegativity and expectations of rejection and subsequent perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Findings suggest that bisexual minority stress and child/adolescent sexual abuse relate to suicidal thoughts among bisexual women. In the cross-sectional model, the hypothesized serial links between antibisexual stigma and concurrent suicidal thoughts via expectations of rejection and internalized binegativity and subsequent perceived burdensomeness were significant. These paths were not significant in prospective analyses. Child/adolescent sexual abuse (but not adult sexual assault) related to suicidal thoughts via perceived burdensomeness; these paths were not significant in prospective analyses. It appears important to address both universal (i.e., perceived burdensomeness) and group-specific (i.e., expectations of rejection and internalized binegativity) mechanisms of risk in suicide prevention efforts with young bisexual women. 

Bisexual women who experience greater antibisexual stigma (e.g., negative stereotypes, rejection) may have higher concurrent suicidal thoughts due to internalized bisexual stigma and related feelings of perceived burdensomeness (e.g., self-hatred, feeling like a liability to others). Bisexual women with histories of child/adolescent sexual abuse may also be at risk for suicidal thoughts due to burdensomeness. Results highlight the need for interventions that address unmet interpersonal needs as well as programming and social policy aimed at preventing sexual violence and eliminating antibisexual stigma within the broader society. 

Like the previous study, this one examines child sexual abuse among other factors that impact suicidality in bisexual women. I like the emphasis on burdensomeness and unmet personal needs. The final study looks at allyship. Chen, Joel & Castro Lingl (2023) published “Antecedents and Consequences of LGBT Individuals’ Perceptions of Straight Allyship” in Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Here’s the edited abstract:

People often self-identify as allies to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This research examined on what basis LGBT individuals perceive others to be allies and documents the consequences of perceived allyship. Studies 1a (n = 40) and 1b (n = 69) collected open-ended descriptions of allyship provided by LGBT participants. Coding of the responses suggested multiple components to being an ally: (a) being nonprejudiced toward the group, (b) taking action against discrimination and inequality, and (c) having humility about one’s perspective in discussions about LGBT issues. In Studies 2a (n = 161) and 2b (n = 319, with nationally representative characteristics), an allyship scale was developed and validated for general and specific relational contexts, respectively. Study 2b also showed that LGBT individuals’ perceptions of close others’ allyship were positively associated with their own well-being and relationship quality with the close other. Study 3, an experiment, demonstrated that nonprejudice and action had an interactive effect on perceived allyship, such that action increased perceived allyship more when prejudice was low (vs. high). Study 4 was a weekly experience study of LGBT participants and an outgroup roommate. Perceiving one’s roommate to be a good ally predicted higher self-esteem, greater subjective well-being, and better relationship quality with the roommate, both between and within participants. Furthermore, perceived allyship in 1 week was associated with increases in LGBT individuals’ mental health and relationship quality with the roommate the following week. This research advances knowledge about what allyship means to LGBT individuals and identifies intra- and interpersonal benefits of allyship. 

I tried to start and end with optimistic studies. I found this study helpful is identifying the three factors in the first study. It also highlights the power of allyship in the lives of gender diverse youth and adults.