Parental Support and Mental Health Among Transgender Adolescents

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.07.019

Journal of Adolescent Health

Volume 53, Issue 6, December 2013, Pages 791-793

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.07.019 Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

Family support is protective against health risks in sexual minority individuals. However, few studies have focused specifically on transgender youth, who often experience rejection, marginalization, and victimization that place them at risk for poor mental health. This study investigated the relationships among parental support, quality of life, and depression in transgender adolescents.

Methods

A total of 66 transgender youth presenting for care at Children's Hospital Los Angeles completed a survey assessing parental support (defined as help, advice, and confidante support), quality of life, and depression. Regression analyses assessed the associations between parental support and mental health outcomes.

Results

Parental support was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, lower perceived burden of being transgender, and fewer depressive symptoms.

Conclusions

Parental support is associated with higher quality of life and is protective against depression in transgender adolescents. Interventions that promote parental support may significantly affect the mental health of transgender youth.

Section snippets

Methods

Data were obtained as part of a larger prospective study examining the impact of a multidisciplinary treatment protocol for transgender youth naive to cross-sex hormones.

Results

Table 1 presents descriptive statistics for the sample. Greater depressive symptoms were associated with greater perceived burden (r = .64; p < .001) and lower life satisfaction (r = −.37; p < .01). Life satisfaction and perceived burden were negatively correlated (r = −.52; p < .01). Controlling for demographic variables, parental support was significantly associated with higher life satisfaction, lower perceived burden, and fewer depressive symptoms; complete regression results are presented

Discussion

Most research examines sexual minority and gender nonconforming youth together as one (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) population, of which transgender youth typically comprise a small percentage. This study, focusing solely on the experiences of an ethnically diverse group of transgender adolescents, suggests that parental support is associated with greater life satisfaction and is protective against depressive symptoms and perceived burden of being transgender.

Study limitations

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To compare baseline mental health symptoms and gender affirmation between Black/Latine versus White transgender/nonbinary youth (BLTY vs. WTY) and examine relationships between gender affirmation and mental health symptoms, and whether associations differed by race/ethnicity subgroup.
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Adolescent health briefParental Support and Mental Health Among Transgender Adolescents

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

J Adolesc Health

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care

Transgender youth and life threatening behaviors

Suicide Life Threat Behav

An evaluation of service utilization among male to female transgender youth: Qualitative study of a clinic-based sample

J LGBT Health Res

Children and adolescents with gender identity disorder referred to a pediatric medical center

Pediatrics

Adolescent health brief
Parental Support and Mental Health Among Transgender Adolescents