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309675
A systematic review of mental illness in the transgender community

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Monday, November 17, 2014

Hillary Gleason, BA , Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Marina Costanzo, MA , Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Kathryn Oost, BA , Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Nicholas Livingston, BS , Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Bryan Cochran, PhD , Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
OBJECTIVES:  Increasingly, researchers and practitioners are recognizing transgender individuals’ mental health needs beyond the Gender Dysphoria diagnosis. Nonetheless, most existing research focuses on anxiety, depression, and substance use in localized transgender samples, yielding disparate results. This review aims to synthesize prevalence rates of mental illness, identify gaps in the literature, and recommend further exploration regarding mental health in the transgender community.

METHODS:  A systematic review of the transgender mental health literature was conducted in PsychInfo and PubMed databases for empirical research articles published during or after 2000. Thematic analysis was employed to organize and interpret results.

RESULTS: A total of 24 articles concerning prevalence of mental illness symptoms were found. Studies reporting on depression, anxiety, substance use, and suicidality all supported increased prevalence in comparison to the cisgender population; however, prevalence estimates ranged widely. Few studies reported on post-traumatic stress disorder (N = 2), eating disorders (N = 2), somatic symptom and related disorders (N = 2), dissociative disorders (N = 1), and autism (N = 1); there were no studies found examining other mental health diagnoses. Psychological distress was frequently mediated by experiences of transphobia and victimization. 

CONCLUSION:  Researchers repeatedly suggest that mounting stigmatizing experiences may exacerbate psychological distress for transgender individuals. Nonetheless, more research is needed to fully understand these mental health disparities in light of a rapidly changing sociopolitical climate. Future research directions and implications for public health will be discussed.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Assess and synthesize current prevalence estimates of mental illness symptoms among transgender individuals Discuss risk factors for suicide, substance use, and psychological distress in the transgender community Evaluate transgender mental health research for gaps and future directions

Keyword(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a clinical psychology graduate student with an interest in LGBT health disparities, particularly focusing on transgender health. I have implemented and disseminated findings from multiple research and quality improvement projects, including topics of LGBT mental health, integrated care, organizational change, and nontraditional family systems. I am a longstanding LGBT advocate and rely heavily on queer and feminist theories to inform my work.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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