Mental health disparities within the LGBT population: A comparison between transgender and nontransgender individuals

Purpose: This study assessed within a Midwestern LGBT population whether, and the extent to which, transgender identity was associated with elevated odds of reported discrimination, depression symptoms, and suicide attempts. Methods: Based on survey data collected online from respondents who self-id...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Su, D., Irwin, J., Fisher, Christopher, Ramos, A., Kelley, M., Rogel-Mednoza, D., Coleman, J.
Format: Journal Article
Published: 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/46193
Description
Summary:Purpose: This study assessed within a Midwestern LGBT population whether, and the extent to which, transgender identity was associated with elevated odds of reported discrimination, depression symptoms, and suicide attempts. Methods: Based on survey data collected online from respondents who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender persons over the age of 19 in Nebraska in 2010, this study performed bivariate t- or chisquare tests and multivariate logistic regression analysis to examine differences in reported discrimination, depression symptoms, suicide attempts, and self-acceptance of LGBT identity between 91 transgender and 676nontransgender respondents. Results: After controlling for the effects of selected confounders, transgender identity was associated with higher odds of reported discrimination (OR = 2.63, p < 0.01), depression symptoms (OR = 2.33, p < 0.05), and attempted suicides (OR = 2.59, p < 0.01) when compared with nontransgender individuals. Self-acceptance of LGBT identity was associated with substantially lower odds of reporting depression symptoms (OR = 0.46, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Relative to nontransgender LGB individuals, transgender individuals were more likely to report discrimination, depression symptoms, and attempted suicides. Lack of self-acceptance of LGBT identity was associated with depression symptoms among transgender individuals.