Associations between negative life experiences and the mental health of trans and gender diverse young people in Australia: findings from Trans Pathways

AbstractBackgroundTrans and gender diverse (TGD) young people worldwide experience high rates of poor mental health; however, these rates were unknown in Australia. In addition, how negative life events affect the mental health of TGD young people has been largely unexplored.MethodsThis paper reports on novel mental health findings of Trans Pathways, the largest study ever conducted in Australia with trans (transgender) and gender diverse young people (N = 859; aged 14–25 years). The study was an anonymous online cross-sectional survey undertaken in 2016. Logistic and linear regression models were used to test associations between mental health outcomes and negative life experiences.ResultsTGD young people in Australia experience high levels of mental distress, including self-harming (79.7%), suicidal thoughts (82.4%), and attempting suicide (48.1%). Three in four participants had been diagnosed with depression and/or anxiety (74.6% and 72.2%, respectively). Many TGD young people had been exposed to negative experiences such as peer rejection (89.0%), precarious accommodation (22.0%), bullying (74.0%), and discrimination (68.9%). Most poor mental health outcomes were associated with negative experiences. The strongest associations were found for precarious accommodation and issues within educational settings. For example, participants with a prior suicide attempt were almost six times more likely to have experienced issues with accommodation, including homelessness.ConclusionsThe current results highlight the urgent need for better mental health care and provide insight into areas for targeted mental health interventions. These findings are pertinent for clinicians working with trans young people and wider society.

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Mental Health Supports and Young People Transitioning from Out-of-home Care in Victoria

Children Australia ◽

10.1017/cha.2015.35 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 59-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Adina Rahamim ◽

Philip Mendes

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young People ◽

Home Care ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Childhood Abuse ◽

Service Providers ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Out Of Home Care ◽

The Impact

Young people transitioning from out-of-home care (OHC) are a vulnerable group. One particular manifestation of disadvantage is poor mental health outcomes which may reflect both the traumatic effects of childhood abuse, and a lack of support on leaving care. This article presents the findings of a small qualitative study undertaken in Victoria which explored the views of OHC and mental health service providers regarding the mental health support needs of care leavers. The findings are consistent with existing research results internationally in highlighting a number of key factors that influence mental health outcomes including the impact of pre-care, in-care and transition from care experiences.

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Timing of Social Transition for Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth, K-12 Harassment, and Adult Mental Health Outcomes

Journal of Adolescent Health ◽

10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.06.001 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jack L. Turban ◽

Dana King ◽

Jason J. Li ◽

Alex S. Keuroghlian

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Social Transition ◽

Adult Mental Health ◽

Gender Diverse ◽

And Gender ◽

K 12 ◽

Diverse Youth

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Universal and Selective Interventions to Prevent Poor Mental Health Outcomes in Young People: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Harvard Review of Psychiatry ◽

10.1097/hrp.0000000000000294 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 196-215

Author(s):

Gonzalo Salazar de Pablo ◽

Andrea De Micheli ◽

Marco Solmi ◽

Dominic Oliver ◽

Ana Catalan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Young People ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Outcomes

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Overall and Gender-specific Associations between Dimensions of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes among Homeless Adults: Associations Générales et Sexospécifiques Entre les Dimensions des Expériences Défavorables de L’enfance et les Résultats de Santé Mentale Chez les Adultes Sans Abri

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0706743721989158 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 070674372198915

Author(s):

Michael Liu ◽

Cilia Mejia-Lancheros ◽

James Lachaud ◽

Eric Latimer ◽

Tim Aubry ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Illness ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

National Sample ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Homeless Adults ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

And Gender

Objective: The associations between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and psychopathology have been well-established in the general population. Research on ACEs in the homeless population has been limited. This study examined whether ACE exposure is associated with specific mental health outcomes among a national sample of homeless adults with mental illness and whether this association varies according to ACE dimension and gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from a national sample of 2,235 homeless adults with mental illness in Canada to evaluate their sociodemographic characteristics, exposure to ACEs, and mental health outcomes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to identify and confirm ACE dimensions (maltreatment, sexual abuse, neglect, divorce, and household dysfunction) from individual ACE items. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations between total ACE score and ACE dimensions with mental illness diagnoses and psychopathology severity. Results: The mean total ACE score among all study participants was 4.44 (standard deviation [ SD]: 2.99). Total ACE score was positively associated with several mental illness diagnoses and psychopathology severity. Unique associations were found between specific ACE dimensions and poor mental health outcomes. The prevalence of almost all ACEs was significantly higher among women. Yet, associations between several ACE dimensions and poor mental health outcomes existed uniquely among men. Conclusions: There are unique and gender-specific associations between specific ACE dimensions and mental health outcomes among homeless adults. Better understanding of the mechanisms underlying these associations is needed to inform screening, prevention, and treatment efforts, particularly given the very high prevalence of ACEs among this vulnerable and marginalized population.

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Evidence of sexual orientation and gender differences in mental health outcomes for violent crime victims

PsycEXTRA Dataset ◽

10.1037/e669802012-321 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Robert J. Cramer ◽

Martha Shumway ◽

Amanda M. Amacker ◽

Dale E. McNiel ◽

Sarah Holley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Violent Crime ◽

Crime Victims ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

And Gender

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Mental health difficulties among trans and gender diverse young people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD): findings from Trans Pathways

Journal of Psychiatric Research ◽

10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.03.005 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Penelope Strauss ◽

Angus Cook ◽

Vanessa Watson ◽

Sam Winter ◽

Andrew Whitehouse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽

Young People ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Spectrum Disorder ◽

Gender Diverse ◽

Mental Health Difficulties ◽

And Gender

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Transgender and Gender Diverse Community Connection, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Among Black Transgender Women Who Have Survived Violence: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Violence Against Women ◽

10.1177/10778012211013892 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 107780122110138

Author(s):

Athena D. F. Sherman ◽

Sarah Allgood ◽

Kamila A. Alexander ◽

Meredith Klepper ◽

Monique S. Balthazar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Longitudinal Research ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Gender Diverse ◽

Diverse Community ◽

And Gender

Black transgender women are disproportionately affected by violence and poor care-delivery, contributing to poor mental health. Little is known regarding the effect of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community connection (TCC) on health. This analysis (a) explores relationships between TCC, polyvictimization, and mental health and (b) analyzes how TCC influenced help-seeking following violent experiences among Black transgender women. Mixed-methods data from 19 Black transgender women were analyzed using correlational and thematic content analyses. Findings suggest that TCC is associated with improved help-seeking and mental health among Black transgender women, highlighting a need for longitudinal research to identify approaches for leveraging TCC.

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The effectiveness of a preferred intensity exercise programme on the mental health outcomes of young people with depression: a sequential mixed methods evaluation

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/1471-2458-12-187 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Tim Carter ◽

Patrick Callaghan ◽

Elizabeth Khalil ◽

Ioannis Morres

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mixed Methods ◽

Young People ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Mixed Methods Evaluation ◽

Sequential Mixed Methods

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Individual- and Relationship-Level Factors Related to Better Mental Health Outcomes following Child Abuse: Results from a Nationally Representative Canadian Sample

The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/0706743716651832 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 61 (12) ◽

pp. 776-788 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Tracie O. Afifi ◽

Harriet L. MacMillan ◽

Tamara Taillieu ◽

Sarah Turner ◽

Kristene Cheung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Child Abuse ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Well Being ◽

Canadian Community Health Survey ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Outcomes ◽

Abuse History ◽

Good Mental Health ◽

Nationally Representative

Objective: Child abuse can have devastating mental health consequences. Fortunately, not all individuals exposed to child abuse will suffer from poor mental health. Understanding what factors are related to good mental health following child abuse can provide evidence to inform prevention of impairment. Our objectives were to 1) describe the prevalence of good, moderate, and poor mental health among respondents with and without a child abuse history; 2) examine the relationships between child abuse and good, moderate, and poor mental health outcomes; 3) examine the relationships between individual- and relationship-level factors and better mental health outcomes; and 4) determine if individual- and relationship-level factors moderate the relationship between child abuse and mental health. Method: Data were from the nationally representative 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health ( n = 23,395; household response rate = 79.8%; 18 years and older). Good, moderate, and poor mental health was assessed using current functioning and well-being, past-year mental disorders, and past-year suicidal ideation. Results: Only 56.3% of respondents with a child abuse history report good mental health compared to 72.4% of those without a child abuse history. Individual- and relationship-level factors associated with better mental health included higher education and income, physical activity, good coping skills to handle problems and daily demands, and supportive relationships that foster attachment, guidance, reliable alliance, social integration, and reassurance of worth. Conclusions: This study identifies several individual- and relationship-level factors that could be targeted for intervention strategies aimed at improving mental health outcomes following child abuse.

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