Trans and gender-diverse teens more likely to experience gender discrimination and poorer well-being: Study

Trans and gender-diverse adolescents in England are more likely to experience gender discrimination and poorer well-being than their cisgender peers. Researchers compared 20,000 young people aged 12–15 in Greater Manchester across different gender groups. The study is published in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Marked disadvantages were seen for the trans and gender-diverse group (including non-binary) for well-being and minority stressors, such as bullying and gender discrimination. This work highlights a stark disadvantage in well-being for trans and gender minority adolescents, the authors said.

This research compared the mental well-being of adolescents across different gender groups: cis males, cis females, trans and gender diverse (including non-binary), and those who preferred not to say. These groups were also compared on minority stress outcomes, things like bullying and discrimination that were considered likely predictors of poorer well-being.

Marked disadvantages were seen for the trans and gender-diverse group for well-being, and stressors, particularly gender discrimination. Stressors at time one were also shown to predict later well-being. However, the way stressors acted on well-being was consistent across all gender groups. Overall, this work highlights stark disadvantage in well-being for trans and gender minority adolescents.