Promoting Well-Being Among Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Youth: Identifying Trends and Salient Protective Factors

• In Event: Supporting the Social Emotional Needs of Youth: Interventions and Program Ideas

Abstract

Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) adolescents report substantially higher rates of mental health problems, substance use, and violence exposure than their peers. Using secondary data from 3 separate cohorts (2012, 2015, 2018) of high school students in Dane County, Wisconsin (n = 48,408), this paper examines trends in mental health, substance use, and violence exposure among TGNC youth. In addition, it identifies protective factors. Initial results indicate that TGNC youth report more violence exposure, psychological distress, and problematic substance use than their peers. Expanded multivariate analyses will test trends in this indicators, and school climate and parental support as protective factors. Findings will inform tailored intervention and prevention strategies and provide critical information about the well-being of TGNC youth.

Authors

• Melissa K. Holt, Boston University

• Jennifer Greif Green, Boston University

• Ziming Xuan

• Patrick Tiongson, Boston University

• Tanvi N. Shah, Boston University