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Providing Affirmative Care to Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth: Disparities, Interventions, and Outcomes

Current Psychiatry Reports volume 23, Article number: 33 (2021) Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This paper reviews the evolving body of research on the mental health of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth. Minority stress experiences in families, schools, and the community impact the health and well-being of this population due to experiences of stigma, discrimination, and rejection. Poor healthcare access and outcomes may be compounded in youth with intersectional identities.

Recent Findings

There is increasing evidence that gender-affirming interventions improve mental health outcomes for TGD youth. TGD youth report worse mental health outcomes in invalidating school and family environments and improved outcomes in affirming climates. TGD youth experience significant healthcare disparities, and intersectional clinical approaches are needed to increase access to affirmative care.

Summary

Providers can best support TGD youth by considering ways they can affirm these youth in their healthcare settings, and helping them access support in schools, family systems, and communities. Understanding the intersection of multiple minority identities can help providers address potential barriers to care to mitigate the health disparities seen in this population.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, USA

    David C. Call

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, USA

    Mamatha Challa & Cynthia J. Telingator

  3. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Mamatha Challa & Cynthia J. Telingator

Authors
  1. David C. Call
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  2. Mamatha Challa
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  3. Cynthia J. Telingator
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Correspondence to Cynthia J. Telingator.

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Call, D.C., Challa, M. & Telingator, C.J. Providing Affirmative Care to Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth: Disparities, Interventions, and Outcomes. Curr Psychiatry Rep 23, 33 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-021-01245-9

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Keywords

  • Transgender
  • Gender diverse
  • Intersectionality
  • Disparities
  • Youth
  • Gender-affirmative care