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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Arnold H. Grossman, PhD, LMSW¹, Anthony R. D'Augelli, PhD², Steven Hubbard, PhD³, Trent Henry, BA¹, and Carl H. Sorgen, BS³. (1) Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, 239 Greene Street - Suite 400, New York, NY 10003, 212-998-5615, arnold.grossman@nyu.edu, (2) Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Pennsylvania State University, 105Q White Building, State College, PA 16802, (3) Department of Administration, Leadership & Technology, New York University, 239 Greene Street - Suite 300, New York, NY 10003

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the sexual behaviors of male-to-female (MTF) transgender youth. The study also examined developmental correlates of high-risk sexual activities. Given the lack of research in this area, there were no specific hypotheses; the goal was to generate knowledge to aid future research. The study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 31 MTF transgender youth. The youth were ages 15-21. As to ethnicity/race, 18 were Hispanic/Latino; 20 identified as White, 6 Black/African American, 3 more than one race, 1 American Indian, and 1 did not report race. During the last year, all 31 youth reported having had sexual experiences with same-birth-sex partners and 8 with opposite-birth-sex partners. The number of same-sex partners ranged from 1 to 50+, and the number of opposite-sex partners ranged from 1 to 7. The most frequent sexual behavior reported was receptive anal sex; 25 youth reported having between 1 and 51+ experiences using condoms; 13 reported between 1 and 30 experiences without using condoms. Twenty-three youth reported giving oral sex with condoms and 19 youth reported giving oral sex without condoms; in both instances reporting between 1 and 51+ experiences. Initial analyses revealed a significant correlation between having receptive anal and receptive oral sex without condoms. Among other developmental factors, having oral and/or anal sex without condoms was significantly correlated to an earlier age of feeling different than others, of first disclosing as transgender, and being told they needed counseling to change their gender identity.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, participants should be able to

• articulate the type, number, and frequency of sexual behaviors and experiences of male-to-female (MTF) transgender youth;
• identify the relative extent of safe and unsafe sexual experiences among MTF transgender youth;
• describe the correlation of unsafe sexual experiences to developmental gender expression milestones of MTF transgender youth.

Keywords: Youth, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No