Abstract
Background
There are an estimated 25 million transgender and gender diverse (TGD) individuals worldwide, with 1.2%–2.7% of this population being under the age of 18. Community studies describe increased rates of mental health difficulties such as depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation and difficulties with peer relationships for TGD youth over cisgender peers. However, comparatively little is known about the mental health symptomatology of TGD youth attending specialist mental health services (CAMHS) in the UK.
Method
This cross-sectional study explored data from 170 young people participating in the Beating Adolescent Self-Harm (BASH) trial. Baseline data about self-harm, depression, and impact on daily life was compared for those who identified as TGD (n = 18) with those who identified as cisgender (n = 152).
Results
In the transgender group, 18 (100%) scored ≥27 on the MFQ suggesting severe depression and had total scores on the SDQ impact scale of ≥3, in the very high range. In comparison in the cisgender group, 140 (92.1%) scored ≥27 on the MFQ and 103 (67.8%) had total scores on the SDQ impact scale of ≥3. The TGD group reported higher rates of self-harm, poorer peer relationships, less prosocial behaviour and greater interference with friendships and leisure activities and impact in the classroom. Both groups reported similar symptoms of depression.
Conclusions
Whilst this exploratory study has limitations, these results suggest that TGD youth attending CAMHS may experience greater mental health problems than their cisgender peers.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 363-370 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Child and Adolescent Mental Health |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Early online date | 7 Oct 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2024 |
Data Availability Statement
The study investigators own and have complete controlof the research data. For statistical analysis, the data willbe stored on a computer system maintained by the University of Exeter, UK. Deidentified participant data and adata dictionary will be made publicly available after pub-lication upon reasonable request to the chief investigator(PS) according to NIHR policy.Funding
This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme (grant reference number NIHR/PB-PG-1217-20004). The authors would like to thank the young people and carers who participated in the study. The trial steering group, Dr Patrick Smith, Prof Kapil Sayal, Dr Becky Mars and Thom Walker for their thoughtful contributions, guidance and encouragement. Finally, we would like to acknowledge the contributions of Emma Harrison who sadly was not able to see the outcome of her work. This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under its Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme (grant reference number NIHR/PB\u2010PG\u20101217\u201020004).
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| National Institute for Health and Care Research | |
| Research for Patient Benefit Programme | NIHR/PB-PG-1217-20004 |
| Research for Patient Benefit Programme | |
| NIHR/PB | ‐PG‐1217‐20004 |
Keywords
- Transgender
- adolescents
- gender diverse
- mental health
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Psychiatry and Mental health
