Risks and Resiliencies for Academic Achievement and Well-Being of Transgender Youth in Urban Middle Schools

• In Event: Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Threats to Student Well-Being: Resources and Resilience

Abstract

Transgender youth are a vulnerable population in schools (Kann et al.,2010). This project focuses on the experiences of transgender youth in urban middle schools and identifies factors that contribute to risks and resiliencies for well-being and academic achievement. Asian, Black, Latino and White boys and girls (N=113) enrolled in 6th and 8th grades were surveyed on intergroup attitudes, perceived similarity and willingness to become friends with transgender peers. Results revealed that boys reported significantly more negative attitudes, perceived less similarity and lower willingness to become friends with transgender peers than girls. Our work suggests that demographic, contextual and interpersonal factors contribute to both risk and resilience early in development, highlighting the importance of developing age-appropriate interventions and policies at schools.

Author

• Negin Ghavami, University of California - Los Angeles