Gender Minority Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Transitioned Swiss Transpersons

Compared to the general population, transpersons are exposed to higher levels of discrimination and violence. The stigmatization of transpersons can lead to physical and psychological problems. In particular, transindividuals exhibit a higher prevalence of depression compared to the cispopulation. The gender minority stress model (GMSM) provides a comprehensive theoretical basis to interpret these biopsychosocial interactions. Using the GMSM, this study aimed to identify associations between experience of stigmatization and the mental health of transitioned transpersons using correlational analyses and multiple regression models. In total, 143 transpersons were recruited. Multivariate analyses identified three variables (i.e., unemployment, nonaffirmation of gender identity, and internalized transphobia) to explain variance of depressive symptoms. Furthermore, a mediation of the proximal factors between distal factors and depressive symptoms was found. However, the moderating effect of resilience factors was not demonstrated. The results confirmed the importance of distal and proximal minority stressors for the mental health of transpersons. At the same time, the protective influence of resilience factors seemed to be surprisingly minor. In the treatment of transpersons, practitioners should not only focus on somatic aspects, but also consider the person’s previous experiences of stigmatization.

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Health Disparities in Transgender and Gender Expansive Adolescents: A Topical Review From a Minority Stress Framework

Journal of Pediatric Psychology ◽

10.1093/jpepsy/jsaa040 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 45 (8) ◽

pp. 842-847 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alexandria M Delozier ◽

Rebecca C Kamody ◽

Scott Rodgers ◽

Diane Chen

Keyword(s):

Health Disparities ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Physical Health ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Topical Review ◽

Resilience Factors ◽

Path Models ◽

And Gender ◽

Negative Health Outcomes

Abstract Objective To present a topical review of minority stressors contributing to psychosocial and physical health disparities in transgender and gender expansive (TGE) adolescents. Methods We conducted a topical review of original research studies focused on distal stressors (e.g., discrimination; victimization; rejection; nonaffirmation), proximal stressors (e.g., expected rejection; identity concealment; internalized transphobia), and resilience factors (e.g., community connectedness; pride; parental support) and mental and physical health outcomes. Results Extant literature suggests that TGE adolescents experience a host of gender minority stressors and are at heightened risk for negative health outcomes; however, limited research has directly applied the gender minority stress framework to the experiences of TGE adolescents. Most research to date has focused on distal minority stressors and single path models to negative health outcomes, which do not account for the complex interplay between chronic minority stress, individual resilience factors, and health outcomes. Research examining proximal stressors and resilience factors is particularly scarce. Conclusions The gender minority stress model is a helpful framework for understanding how minority stressors contribute to health disparities and poor health outcomes among TGE adolescents. Future research should include multiple path models that examine relations between gender minority stressors, resilience factors, and health outcomes in large, nationally representative samples of TGE adolescents. Clinically, adaptations of evidence-based interventions to account for gender minority stressors may increase effectiveness of interventions for TGE adolescents and reduce health disparities in this population of vulnerable youth.

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Depression in multiple sclerosis across the adult lifespan

Multiple Sclerosis Journal ◽

10.1177/1352458520979304 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 135245852097930

Author(s):

Carol K Chan ◽

Fan Tian ◽

Daniela Pimentel Maldonado ◽

Ellen M Mowry ◽

Kathryn C Fitzgerald

Keyword(s):

Multiple Sclerosis ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Regression Models ◽

Walking Speed ◽

Age Groups ◽

Adult Age ◽

Adult Lifespan ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Z Scores ◽

The Relationship

Objectives: The objective of this study is to examine the burden of depressive symptoms across the adult age span in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and test if the relationship between depressive symptoms and MS characteristics vary across age groups. Methods: In analyses of the MS Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) network of adults with MS, we compared the prevalence of depression in MS PATHS with non-MS controls across age and evaluated for effect modification by age in the association between depressive symptoms and clinical and neuroperformance measures via multivariable-adjusted regression models. Results: In total, 13,821 individuals with MS were included. The prevalence of depression was higher in MS versus non-MS controls, but was similar between men/women across age. The association between depression and processing speed (PST; p for interaction = 0.009) or walking speed ( p for interaction = 0.04) varied by age. For example, younger depressed individuals had 0.45 standard deviation (SD) (95% confidence interval (CI) = −0.62, −0.29) worse PST Z-scores versus non-depressed younger participants, whereas older depressed individuals had 0.20 SD (95% CI = −0.32, −0.08) worse PST Z-scores versus non-depressed older participants. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms and age should be considered when interpreting measures of walking speed and cognitive function; these findings may have implications for analyses of neuroperformance change.

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Transdiagnostic Approaches to Sexual and Gender Minority Mental Health

10.31234/osf.io/7s9cr ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Craig Anthony Rodriguez-Seijas ◽

Nicholas R Eaton ◽

John E. Pachankis

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Great Promise ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Psychological Mechanisms ◽

Minority Mental Health ◽

Diagnostic Approaches ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

Sexual and gender minority individuals experience minority stress, which is hypothesized to underlie the mental health disparities affecting these populations. Drawing on advances in mental disorder classification, we argue that transdiagnostic approaches hold great promise for understanding and reducing these disparities. In contrast to traditional diagnostic approaches, which have limited construct validity and produced a piecemeal literature, transdiagnostic approaches: (1) are evidence based, (2) account for diffuse patterns of disparities and comorbidity, (3) pinpoint psychological mechanisms linking minority stress to poor mental health, (4) reduce scientific stigma, and (5) serve as efficacious and efficient targets for transdiagnostic minority stress interventions.

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Pre-cancer and cancer-associated depression and anxiety among older adults with blood cancers in the United States

Blood Advances ◽

10.1182/bloodadvances.2021005862 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Thomas Michael Kuczmarski ◽

Tim Jaung ◽

Claire E. Mancuso ◽

Lee Mozessohn ◽

Lizabeth Roemer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Multivariate Analyses ◽

The United States ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Disease Trajectory ◽

Female Sex ◽

Disease Information ◽

Prevalence Of Depression ◽

Medicare Database

For patients with blood cancers, comorbid mental health disorders at diagnosis likely affect the entire disease trajectory, as they can interfere with disease information processing, lead to poor coping, and even cause delays in care. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of depression and anxiety in patients with blood cancers. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database, we identified patients 67 years and older diagnosed with lymphoma, myeloma, leukemia, or myelodysplastic syndromes between 2000 and 2015. We determined the prevalence of pre-cancer and cancer-associated (CA) depression and anxiety using claims data. We identified factors associated with CA-depression and CA-anxiety in multivariate analyses. Among 75,691 patients, 18.6% had at least one diagnosis of depression or anxiety. Of the total cohort, 13.7% had pre-cancer depression and/or pre-cancer anxiety, while 4.9% had CA-depression or CA-anxiety. Compared to patients without pre-cancer anxiety, those with pre-cancer anxiety were more likely to have subsequent claims for CA-depression (OR 2.98; 95% CI 2.61-3.41). Other factors associated with higher risk of CA-depression included female sex, non-married status, higher comorbidity, and myeloma diagnosis. Patients with pre-cancer depression were significantly more likely to have subsequent claims for CA-anxiety compared to patients without pre-cancer depression (OR 3.01; 95% CI 2.63-3.44). Female sex and myeloma diagnosis were also associated with CA-anxiety. In this large cohort of older patients with newly diagnosed blood cancers, almost one in five suffered from depression or anxiety, highlighting a critical need for systematic mental health screening and management for this population.

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Associations between Adolescents’ Prosocial Experiences and Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic

10.31234/osf.io/2s73n ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lauren Alvis ◽

Robyn Douglas ◽

Natalie Shook ◽

Benjamin Oosterhoff

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Native American ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Stressful Events ◽

The Us ◽

Helping Others ◽

Interpersonal Needs ◽

Multiple Regression Models ◽

Relief Efforts

Natural disasters and times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are extremely stressful events, with mental health consequences. But, such events also provide opportunities for prosocial support between citizens, which may be related to mental health symptoms and interpersonal needs. We examined adolescents’ prosocial experiences as both actors and recipients during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and assessed whether these experiences were associated with indicators of mental health. Adolescents (N = 437; 78% female) aged 13 to 20 years (Mage = 16.43, SD = 1.10; 63.6% White, 12.9% Hispanic/Latinx, 8.5% Asian, 4.2% Black, 2.8% Native American) were recruited across the US in early April of 2020. Participants reported on their COVID-19 prosocial experiences (helping others, receiving help) and mental health (depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, burdensomeness, belongingness). Multiple regression models indicated greater engagement in COVID-19 prosocial behavior was associated with greater anxiety symptoms and greater burdensomeness. Receiving more COVID-19 help was associated with lower depressive symptoms and higher belongingness. Findings highlight the importance of furthering our understanding of the nuanced connections between prosocial experiences and adolescents' mental health to help inform post-pandemic recovery and relief efforts.

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Sexual and Gender Minority Stress Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for LGBTQ Young Persons’ Mental Health and Well-Being

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/0033354920954511 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 135 (6) ◽

pp. 721-727

Author(s):

John P. Salerno ◽

Jackson Devadas ◽

M Pease ◽

Bryanna Nketia ◽

Jessica N. Fish

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Well Being ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Health And Well Being

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Romantic involvement and mental health in sexual and gender minority emerging adults assigned female at birth

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships ◽

10.1177/0265407519898000 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (4) ◽

pp. 1340-1361

Author(s):

Sarah W. Whitton ◽

Lisa M. Godfrey ◽

Shariell Crosby ◽

Michael E. Newcomb

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Emerging Adults ◽

Illicit Drug ◽

Anxiety Symptoms ◽

Romantic Involvement ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

Relationship Involvement ◽

And Gender

We examined whether romantic relationship involvement, a well-established protective factor against mental health problems among heterosexual adults, is also protective for sexual and gender minority emerging adults assigned female at birth (SGM-AFAB), a group at high risk for mental health issues. Using cross-sectional data from a community sample of 222 SGM-AFAB ages 18–20 years, we assessed associations between current relationship involvement and five mental health variables: depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, alcohol use problems, cannabis use problems, and illicit drug use. There were no differences by romantic involvement in problematic cannabis use or other illicit drug use. Overall, participants in a relationship reported fewer depressive symptoms, fewer anxiety symptoms, and less problematic alcohol use than participants who were single. Some associations differed, however, by participant gender identity, sexual orientation identity, and partner gender. Specifically, relationship involvement was associated with fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms for cisgender female participants ( n = 154) but not for gender minority participants ( n = 68) and for lesbian participants ( n = 38) but not for bisexual/pansexual participants ( n = 134) or those with other sexual orientation identities ( n = 50). Participants romantically involved with a cisgender female partner ( n = 43) had fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms than single participants ( n = 100), those with a cisgender male partner ( n = 56), and those with a gender minority partner (n = 23). Together, these findings suggest that romantic involvement may promote mental health for many, but not all, SGM young adults, highlighting the importance of attending to differences among SGM subgroups in research and efforts to reduce mental health and substance use disparities.

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Gender minority stress, mental health, and relationship quality: A dyadic investigation of transgender women and their cisgender male partners.

Journal of Family Psychology ◽

10.1037/a0037171 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 437-447 ◽

Cited By ~ 109

Author(s):

Kristi E. Gamarel ◽

Sari L. Reisner ◽

Jean-Philippe Laurenceau ◽

Tooru Nemoto ◽

Don Operario

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Relationship Quality ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Male Partners ◽

Gender Minority

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Experiences of Violence and Mental Health Outcomes among Colombian Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender Women

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260521997445 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052199744

Author(s):

Maria Cecilia Zea ◽

Andrew P. Barnett ◽

Ana María del Río-González ◽

Benjamin Parchem ◽

Veronica Pinho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Drug Use ◽

Binge Drinking ◽

Transgender Women ◽

Respondent Driven Sampling ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Sex With Men

Colombia endured 70 years of internal conflict, but despite a peace agreement, violence continues to be significant in the post-conflict era. Violence degrades the health and well-being of affected populations and it engenders psychological distress. Little is known about the impact of violence on the mental health of sexual and gender minority populations in Colombia. This study aimed to examine the frequency and sources of violence among cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women and their association with depressive symptoms and substance use. We administered a survey to 942 MSM and 58 transgender women recruited using respondent-driven sampling. We estimated the relationship between mental health indicators and experiences of violence using stepwise logistic and linear regressions, controlling for income, education, age, race, and mistreatment for being effeminate when younger. Respondent-driven sampling adjusted prevalence of any type of violence was 60.9% for the total sample, 59.8% for MSM, and 75.1% for transgender women. Experiences of violence were significantly related to depressive symptoms, binge drinking and drug use for the MSM sample. Violence perpetrated by family members or acquaintances was associated with greater depressive symptoms, and violence perpetrated by partners and strangers was associated with increased binge drinking and drug use. These results provide significant evidence of the negative association of experiences of violence and the mental health of sexual and gender minority people, a vulnerable population in Colombia. This study addresses issues of diversity regarding sexual orientation and gender identity in a Latin American middle-income country.

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Gender identity disorder and mental health problems

V M BEKHTEREV REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY AND MEDICAL PSYCHOLOGY ◽

10.31363/2313-7053-2019-3-28-35 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 28-35

Author(s):

T. K. Piskareva ◽

S. N. Enikolopov

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Gender Identity ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Gender Identity Disorder ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Mental Illnesses ◽

Psychiatric Services ◽

Stress Model ◽

Gender Identity Disorders ◽

Minority Stress Model

The review examines the mental illnesses most commonly found in individuals with gender identity disorders. The applicability of Meyer’s Minority Stress Model (1995) to explanation of the observed comorbidity is analyzed. In conclusion the need for increased attention to persons with gender identity disorders from psychological and psychiatric services is stated.

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