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A comparison of mental health symptomatology and levels of social support in young treatment seeking transgender individuals who identify as binary and non-binary

Thorne, Nat; Witcomb, Gemma L.; Nieder, Timo; Nixon, Elena; Yip, Andrew; Arcelus, Jon

Authors

Nat Thorne

Gemma L. Witcomb

Timo Nieder

ELENA NIXON elena.nixon@nottingham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor

Andrew Yip

Jon Arcelus



Abstract

Background: Previous research has consistently reported high rates of mental health symptomatology and lower social support in young treatment seeking transgender individuals. However, these studies have failed to distinguish between transgender people who identify within the gender binary and those who identify as non-binary. Aims: This study aimed to compare levels of mental health symptomatology (anxiety, depression, and non-suicidal self-injury behavior) and social support of treatment seeking non-binary transgender young individuals with those self-identified as binary transgender young individuals. All participants attended a national transgender health service in the UK during a 2-year period. Measures: Age and gender identity descriptors were collected, as well as clinical measures of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), self-esteem (The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), non-suicidal self-injury (Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: Treatment Related), and social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support). Results: A total of 388 young people, aged 16–25 years, agreed participation; 331 (85.3%) identified as binary and 57 (14.7%) as non-binary. Analysis of the data showed the non-binary group experienced significantly more anxiety and depression and had significantly lower self-esteem than the binary group. There were no significant differences between groups in the likelihood of engaging in non-suicidal self-injury behavior or levels of social support.Conclusions: Non-binary identifying treatment seeking transgender youth are at increased risk of developing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem compared to binary transgender youth. This may reflect the even greater barriers and feelings of discrimination that may be faced by those whose identity does not fit the notion of binary gender that is pervasive in how society views both cis- and transgender populations.

Citation

Thorne, N., Witcomb, G. L., Nieder, T., Nixon, E., Yip, A., & Arcelus, J. (2019). A comparison of mental health symptomatology and levels of social support in young treatment seeking transgender individuals who identify as binary and non-binary. International Journal of Transgenderism, 20(2-3), 241-250. https://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2018.1452660

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 8, 2018
Online Publication Date May 8, 2018
Publication Date Jul 3, 2019
Deposit Date Oct 1, 2020
Journal International Journal of Transgenderism
Print ISSN 1553-2739
Electronic ISSN 1434-4599
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 20
Issue 2-3
Pages 241-250
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/15532739.2018.1452660
Keywords Gender Studies
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1219786