The Experts below are selected from a list of 2637 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Stephen T. Russell - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Predictors and Mental Health Benefits of Chosen Name Use Among Transgender Youth
Youth & Society, 2019Co-Authors: Amanda M. Pollitt, Salvatore Ioverno, Stephen T. Russell, Arnold H. GrossmanAbstract:Chosen name use among Transgender Youth (Youth whose gender identities are different from their sex assigned at birth) can be part of the complex process of aligning gender presentation with gender identity and can promote mental health. However, little is known about the factors that predict whether or not Transgender Youth have a chosen name and outcomes of chosen name use, especially in specific social contexts. We examined, among a sample of 129 Transgender Youth from three cities in the United States, differences in sociodemographic characteristics and mental health outcomes between Transgender Youth with and without a chosen name and, among those with a chosen name, predictors and mental health benefits of being able to use a chosen name at home, school, and work. There were few differences between Transgender Youth with and without a chosen name. Among Transgender Youth with a chosen name, disclosure of gender identity to supportive family and teachers predicted chosen name use at home and school, respectively. Chosen name use was associated with large reductions in negative health outcomes and relatively smaller improvements in positive mental health outcomes. Our results show that chosen name use is part of the gender affirmation process for some, but not all, Transgender Youth and is associated with better mental health among Transgender Youth who adopt a chosen name.
-
Transgender Youth Allowed to Use Their Chosen Name Have Fewer Mental Health Problems
2018Co-Authors: Stephen T. Russell, Amanda M. Pollitt, Arnold H. GrossmanAbstract:This brief, from PRC researchers Stephen Russell and Amanda Pollitt and colleagues, examines the relationship between chosen name use—which is a proxy for Youths’ gender affirmation in various contexts—and mental health among Transgender Youth. The authors find that Transgender Youth who were able to use their chosen names at home, in school, at work, and with friends had lower levels of severe depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior.
-
safe schools Transgender Youth s school experiences and perceptions of school climate
Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 2018Co-Authors: Jack K Day, Stephen T. Russell, Amaya PerezbrumerAbstract:The magnitude of gender identity-related disparities in school-based outcomes is unknown because of a lack of representative studies that include measures of gender identity. By utilizing a representative sample generalizable to a broader population, this study elucidates the size of gender identity-related disparities, independent of sexual orientation, in school experiences associated with school connectedness and perceptions of school climate. Additionally, the inclusion of and comparison to results of a large non-representative sample allows for more direct comparisons to previous studies of the school experiences of Transgender Youth. The analyses in this study primarily draw on a sample of 31,896 Youth representative of the middle and high school population in California who participated in the 2013-2015 California Student Survey (a subsample of the California Healthy Kids Survey, which includes the largest known sample of Transgender Youth). Over half the sample identified their sex as female (51.3%), and 398 identified as Transgender (1.0%). The sample was racially and ethnically diverse: 30.7% identified as multiracial, 33.0% as White, 11.1% as Asian, 7.4% as Black, and 52.9% as Hispanic. Findings from multilevel analyses show that relative to non-Transgender Youth, Transgender Youth were more likely to be truant from school, to experience victimization and bias-based bullying, and to report more negative perceptions of school climate, though did not differ in self-reported grades. The findings have implications for improving school policies and practices to create safer and more supportive school climates for all Youth.
-
Chosen name use is linked to reduced depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior among Transgender Youth
The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen T. Russell, Amanda M. Pollitt, Arnold H. GrossmanAbstract:Abstract Purpose This study aimed to examine the relation between chosen name use, as a proxy for Youths' gender affirmation in various contexts, and mental health among Transgender Youth. Methods Data come from a community cohort sample of 129 Transgender and gender nonconforming Youth from three U.S. cities. We assessed chosen name use across multiple contexts and examined its association with depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. Results After adjusting for personal characteristics and social support, chosen name use in more contexts was associated with lower depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. Depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior were lowest when chosen names could be used in all four contexts. Conclusion For Transgender Youth who choose a name different from the one given at birth, use of their chosen name in multiple contexts affirms their gender identity and reduces mental health risks known to be high in this group.
-
Transgender Youth Substance Use Disparities: Results From a Population-Based Sample
The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2017Co-Authors: Jack K Day, Jessica N. Fish, Amaya Perez-brumer, Mark L. Hatzenbuehler, Stephen T. RussellAbstract:Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine rates of substance use between Transgender and nonTransgender Youth using a representative population-based sample and to examine mediating risk factors. Methods A statewide cross-sectional sample of California middle and high schools collected between 2013 and 2015. This representative sample of students in California included 335 Transgender and 31,737 nonTransgender Youth. Using multivariate linear and logistic regression, we assessed differences between Transgender and nonTransgender Youth in substance use behaviors related to alcohol, cigarette, marijuana, other illicit drugs, polysubstance use, and heavy episodic drinking. Substance use was assessed with lifetime use, age of onset, and past 30-day use for alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana. Past 30-day use was also assessed for other illicit drugs and polysubstance use. Models were adjusted for demographics and risk factors including victimization, depressive symptoms, and perceived risk of substance use. Results The prevalence of substance use was 2.5–4 times higher for Transgender Youth compared with their nonTransgender peers (depending on the substance). Transgender Youth were also at greater risk for early age of onset and recent substance use than nonTransgender Youth. In addition, psychosocial risk factors related to victimization, depressive symptoms, and perceived risk of substance use partially mediated the relationship between gender identity and substance use. Conclusions Using data from the first representative study of Youth to include a measure of gender identity, we show that Transgender Youth are at heightened risk for substance use compared with nonTransgender peers. Future research is needed to identify the structural and psychosocial mechanisms that drive these disparities.
Stephen M. Rosenthal - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Consensus Parameter: Research Methodologies to Evaluate Neurodevelopmental Effects of Pubertal Suppression in Transgender Youth
Transgender health, 2020Co-Authors: Diane Chen, John Strang, Stephen M. Rosenthal, Victoria D. Kolbuck, Kim Wallen, Deborah P. Waber, Laurence Steinberg, Cheryl L. Sisk, Judith L. Ross, Tomáš PausAbstract:Purpose: Pubertal suppression is standard of care for early pubertal Transgender Youth to prevent the development of undesired and distressing secondary sex characteristics incongruent with gender identity. Preliminary evidence suggests pubertal suppression improves mental health functioning. Given the widespread changes in brain and cognition that occur during puberty, a critical question is whether this treatment impacts neurodevelopment. Methods: A Delphi consensus procedure engaged 24 international experts in neurodevelopment, gender development, puberty/adolescence, neuroendocrinology, and statistics/psychometrics to identify priority research methodologies to address the empirical question: is pubertal suppression treatment associated with real-world neurocognitive sequelae? Recommended study approaches reaching 80% consensus were included in the consensus parameter. Results: The Delphi procedure identified 160 initial expert recommendations, 44 of which ultimately achieved consensus. Consensus study design elements include the following: a minimum of three measurement time points, pubertal staging at baseline, statistical modeling of sex in analyses, use of analytic approaches that account for heterogeneity, and use of multiple comparison groups to minimize the limitations of any one group. Consensus study comparison groups include untreated Transgender Youth matched on pubertal stage, cisgender (i.e., gender congruent) Youth matched on pubertal stage, and an independent sample from a large-scale Youth development database. The consensus domains for assessment includes: mental health, executive function/cognitive control, and social awareness/functioning. Conclusion: An international interdisciplinary team of experts achieved consensus around primary methods and domains for assessing neurodevelopmental effects (i.e., benefits and/or difficulties) of pubertal suppression treatment in Transgender Youth.
-
Impact of Early Medical Treatment for Transgender Youth: Protocol for the Longitudinal, Observational Trans Youth Care Study
JMIR research protocols, 2019Co-Authors: Johanna Olson-kennedy, Robert Garofalo, Norman P Spack, Amy C Tishelman, Diane Chen, Leslie F Clark, Marco A. Hidalgo, Yee-ming Chan, Diane Ehrensaft, Stephen M. RosenthalAbstract:Background Transgender children and adolescents (ie, those who experience incongruence between assigned sex at birth and internal gender identity) are poorly understood and an understudied population in the United States. Since 2008, medical care for Transgender Youth has generally followed guidelines developed by professional consensus, given the paucity of empirical research, particularly in the US setting. Objective The objective of this research was to provide evidence-based data to inform clinical care for Transgender Youth. The study aims (1) to evaluate the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists administered for puberty suppression on mental health, psychological well-being, and metabolic and physiologic parameters including bone health in a cohort of children and adolescents (Tanner stages 2-4) with gender dysphoria, comparing baseline and follow-up assessments, and (2) to determine the impact of gender-affirming hormones (eg, estradiol and testosterone) administered for phenotypic gender transition on mental health, psychological well-being, and metabolic and physiologic parameters in a cohort of adolescents with gender dysphoria, comparing baseline and follow-up assessments. Methods The study uses a longitudinal observational design to examine the outcomes of existing medical treatment protocols for gender dysphoria in two distinct cohorts: Youth initiating puberty suppression and Youth pursuing a phenotypic gender transition. Data on routine anthropometric and physiologic parameters are collected through chart abstraction, questionnaires, and research interviews in the 24-month study period. Audio computer-assisted self-interview and individual interview survey instruments are used to collect demographic, mental health, psychosocial, and behavioral data from parents and Youth in the blocker cohort and only from Youth in the gender-affirming hormone cohort at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results Participant recruitment commenced in July 2016, and enrollment was completed in September 2018. A total of 90 participants were enrolled in the blocker cohort and 301 participants were enrolled in the gender-affirming hormone cohort. Findings based on baseline data are expected to be submitted for publication in 2019. Conclusions This longitudinal, observational study is collecting critical data on the existing models of care for Transgender Youth that have been used in clinical settings for close to a decade, although with limited empirical research to support them. This research is a direct response to the Institute of Medicine report calling for such studies as well as the needs of clinicians and patients. Results from this study have the potential to significantly impact the medical and mental health services provided to Transgender Youth by making available rigorous scientific evidence on the impact and safety of early treatment based on the sexual development stage. Ultimately, we aim to understand if early medical intervention reduces the health disparities well known to disproportionately affect Transgender individuals across their lifespan. International registered report identifier (irrid) PRR1-10.2196/14434.
-
Care of Gender Nonconforming/Transgender Youth
Pediatric Endocrinology, 2018Co-Authors: Janet Y. Lee, Liat Perl, Stephen M. RosenthalAbstract:In many parts of the world, increasing numbers of gender nonconforming/Transgender Youth are seeking medical services to enable the development of physical characteristics consistent with their experienced gender. Such medical services include use of agents to block endogenous puberty at Tanner stage 2 with subsequent use of cross-sex hormones and are based on longitudinal studies demonstrating that those individuals who were first identified as gender dysphoric in early or middle childhood and continue to meet the mental health criteria for being Transgender at early puberty are likely to be Transgender as adults. This chapter addresses terms and definitions applicable to gender nonconforming Youth, studies that shed light on the biologic underpinnings of gender identity, outcomes and potential complications of current treatment models, gaps in knowledge, and priorities for research.
-
Enhancing Pediatric Trainees' and Students' Knowledge in Providing Care to Transgender Youth.
The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2017Co-Authors: Stanley R. Vance, Stephen M. Rosenthal, Madeline B. Deutsch, Sara M. BuckelewAbstract:Abstract Purpose To enhance pediatric trainees' and students' knowledge of the psychosocial and medical issues facing Transgender Youth through a comprehensive curriculum. Methods During the 2015–2016 academic year, we administered a Transgender Youth curriculum to fourth-year medical students, pediatric interns, psychiatry interns, and nurse practitioner students on their 1-month adolescent and young adult medicine rotation. The curriculum included six interactive, online modules and an observational experience in a multidisciplinary pediatric gender clinic. The online modules had a primary care focus with topics of general Transgender terminology, taking a gender history, taking a psychosocial history, performing a sensitive physical examination, and formulating an assessment, psychosocial plan, and medical plan. At the completion of the curriculum, learners completed an evaluation that assessed change in perceived awareness and knowledge of Transgender-related issues and learner satisfaction with the curriculum. Results Twenty learners participated in the curriculum with 100% completing the curriculum evaluations, 100% reporting completing all six online modules, and 90% attending the gender clinic. Learners demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in all pre-post knowledge/awareness measures. On a Likert scale where 5 indicated very satisfied, learners' mean rating of the quality of the curriculum was 4.5 ± .7; quality of the modules was 4.4 ± .7; and satisfaction with the observational experience was 4.5 ± .8. Conclusions A comprehensive curriculum comprised interactive online modules and an observational experience in a pediatric gender clinic was effective at improving pediatric learners' perceived knowledge of the medical and psychosocial issues facing Transgender Youth. Learners also highly valued the curriculum.
-
Transgender Youth: current concepts
Annals of pediatric endocrinology & metabolism, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen M. RosenthalAbstract:In many countries throughout the world, increasing numbers of gender nonconforming/Transgender Youth are seeking medical services to enable the development of physical characteristics consistent with their experienced gender. Such medical services include use of agents to block endogenous puberty at Tanner stage II with subsequent use of cross-sex hormones, and are based on longitudinal studies demonstrating that those individuals who were first identified as gender dysphoric in early or middle childhood and continue to meet the mental health criteria for being Transgender at early puberty are likely to be Transgender as adults. This review addresses terms and definitions applicable to gender nonconforming Youth, studies that shed light on the biologic determinants of gender identity, current clinical practice guidelines for Transgender Youth, challenges to optimal care, and priorities for research.
Arnold H. Grossman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Predictors and Mental Health Benefits of Chosen Name Use Among Transgender Youth
Youth & Society, 2019Co-Authors: Amanda M. Pollitt, Salvatore Ioverno, Stephen T. Russell, Arnold H. GrossmanAbstract:Chosen name use among Transgender Youth (Youth whose gender identities are different from their sex assigned at birth) can be part of the complex process of aligning gender presentation with gender identity and can promote mental health. However, little is known about the factors that predict whether or not Transgender Youth have a chosen name and outcomes of chosen name use, especially in specific social contexts. We examined, among a sample of 129 Transgender Youth from three cities in the United States, differences in sociodemographic characteristics and mental health outcomes between Transgender Youth with and without a chosen name and, among those with a chosen name, predictors and mental health benefits of being able to use a chosen name at home, school, and work. There were few differences between Transgender Youth with and without a chosen name. Among Transgender Youth with a chosen name, disclosure of gender identity to supportive family and teachers predicted chosen name use at home and school, respectively. Chosen name use was associated with large reductions in negative health outcomes and relatively smaller improvements in positive mental health outcomes. Our results show that chosen name use is part of the gender affirmation process for some, but not all, Transgender Youth and is associated with better mental health among Transgender Youth who adopt a chosen name.
-
Transgender Youth Allowed to Use Their Chosen Name Have Fewer Mental Health Problems
2018Co-Authors: Stephen T. Russell, Amanda M. Pollitt, Arnold H. GrossmanAbstract:This brief, from PRC researchers Stephen Russell and Amanda Pollitt and colleagues, examines the relationship between chosen name use—which is a proxy for Youths’ gender affirmation in various contexts—and mental health among Transgender Youth. The authors find that Transgender Youth who were able to use their chosen names at home, in school, at work, and with friends had lower levels of severe depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior.
-
Chosen name use is linked to reduced depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior among Transgender Youth
The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen T. Russell, Amanda M. Pollitt, Arnold H. GrossmanAbstract:Abstract Purpose This study aimed to examine the relation between chosen name use, as a proxy for Youths' gender affirmation in various contexts, and mental health among Transgender Youth. Methods Data come from a community cohort sample of 129 Transgender and gender nonconforming Youth from three U.S. cities. We assessed chosen name use across multiple contexts and examined its association with depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. Results After adjusting for personal characteristics and social support, chosen name use in more contexts was associated with lower depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior. Depression, suicidal ideation, and suicidal behavior were lowest when chosen names could be used in all four contexts. Conclusion For Transgender Youth who choose a name different from the one given at birth, use of their chosen name in multiple contexts affirms their gender identity and reduces mental health risks known to be high in this group.
-
Aspects of Psychological Resilience among Transgender Youth
Journal of LGBT Youth, 2011Co-Authors: Arnold H. Grossman, Anthony R. D'augelli, John A. FrankAbstract:Fifty-five Transgender Youth described their gender development and some of the stressful life experiences related to their gender identity and gender expression. More than two-thirds of Youth reported past verbal abuse by their parents or peers related to their gender identity and nonconformity, and approximately one-fifth to one-third reported past physical abuse. The more gender non-conforming the Youth were, the more abuse they reported. Four aspects of psychological resilience were examined: a sense of personal mastery, self-esteem, perceived social support, and emotion-oriented coping. A regression model of the selected aspects of resilience accounted for 40%–55% of the variance in relation to depression, trauma symptoms, mental health symptoms, and internalizing and externalizing problems. Emotion-oriented coping was a significant predictor of negative mental health as determined by each of the mental health variables.
-
Transgender Youth and life threatening behaviors
Suicide and Life Threatening Behavior, 2007Co-Authors: Arnold H. Grossman, Anthony R DaugelliAbstract:Sexual minority status is a key risk factor for suicide among lesbian, gay, and bisexual Youth; however, it has not been studied among Transgender Youth. Fifty-five Transgender Youth reported on their life-threatening behaviors. Nearly half of the sample reported having seriously thought about taking their lives and one quarter reported suicide attempts. Factors significantly related to having made a suicide attempt included suicidal ideation related to Transgender identity; experiences of past parental verbal and physical abuse; and lower body esteem, especially weight satisfaction and thoughts of how others evaluate the Youths' bodies. Sexual minority status is a key risk factor for life-threatening behaviors among Transgender Youth.
Robert Garofalo - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
A Comparison of Demographic and Psychosocial Characteristics Between Transgender Youth Enrolling Versus Not Enrolling in a Multisite Study
Transgender Health, 2020Co-Authors: Diane Chen, Brenna Lash, Ellie Kim, Marco A. Hidalgo, Abigail L. Muldoon, Enju Liu, Jennifer K. Jensen, Ren Grabert, Yee-ming Chan, Robert GarofaloAbstract:Purpose: To characterize demographics, psychosocial functioning, and gender-related experiences in Transgender Youth enrolling versus declining participation in a multisite research study. Methods:...
-
Impact of Early Medical Treatment for Transgender Youth: Protocol for the Longitudinal, Observational Trans Youth Care Study
JMIR research protocols, 2019Co-Authors: Johanna Olson-kennedy, Robert Garofalo, Norman P Spack, Amy C Tishelman, Diane Chen, Leslie F Clark, Marco A. Hidalgo, Yee-ming Chan, Diane Ehrensaft, Stephen M. RosenthalAbstract:Background Transgender children and adolescents (ie, those who experience incongruence between assigned sex at birth and internal gender identity) are poorly understood and an understudied population in the United States. Since 2008, medical care for Transgender Youth has generally followed guidelines developed by professional consensus, given the paucity of empirical research, particularly in the US setting. Objective The objective of this research was to provide evidence-based data to inform clinical care for Transgender Youth. The study aims (1) to evaluate the impact of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists administered for puberty suppression on mental health, psychological well-being, and metabolic and physiologic parameters including bone health in a cohort of children and adolescents (Tanner stages 2-4) with gender dysphoria, comparing baseline and follow-up assessments, and (2) to determine the impact of gender-affirming hormones (eg, estradiol and testosterone) administered for phenotypic gender transition on mental health, psychological well-being, and metabolic and physiologic parameters in a cohort of adolescents with gender dysphoria, comparing baseline and follow-up assessments. Methods The study uses a longitudinal observational design to examine the outcomes of existing medical treatment protocols for gender dysphoria in two distinct cohorts: Youth initiating puberty suppression and Youth pursuing a phenotypic gender transition. Data on routine anthropometric and physiologic parameters are collected through chart abstraction, questionnaires, and research interviews in the 24-month study period. Audio computer-assisted self-interview and individual interview survey instruments are used to collect demographic, mental health, psychosocial, and behavioral data from parents and Youth in the blocker cohort and only from Youth in the gender-affirming hormone cohort at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Results Participant recruitment commenced in July 2016, and enrollment was completed in September 2018. A total of 90 participants were enrolled in the blocker cohort and 301 participants were enrolled in the gender-affirming hormone cohort. Findings based on baseline data are expected to be submitted for publication in 2019. Conclusions This longitudinal, observational study is collecting critical data on the existing models of care for Transgender Youth that have been used in clinical settings for close to a decade, although with limited empirical research to support them. This research is a direct response to the Institute of Medicine report calling for such studies as well as the needs of clinicians and patients. Results from this study have the potential to significantly impact the medical and mental health services provided to Transgender Youth by making available rigorous scientific evidence on the impact and safety of early treatment based on the sexual development stage. Ultimately, we aim to understand if early medical intervention reduces the health disparities well known to disproportionately affect Transgender individuals across their lifespan. International registered report identifier (irrid) PRR1-10.2196/14434.
-
research priorities for gender nonconforming Transgender Youth gender identity development and biopsychosocial outcomes
Current Opinion in Endocrinology Diabetes and Obesity, 2016Co-Authors: Johanna Olsonkennedy, Robert Garofalo, Peggy T Cohenkettenis, Baudewijntje P C Kreukels, Heino F L Meyerbahlburg, Walter J Meyer, Stephen M. RosenthalAbstract:Purpose of reviewThe review summarizes relevant research focused on prevalence and natural history of gender nonconforming/Transgender Youth, and outcomes of currently recommended clinical practice guidelines. This review identifies gaps in knowledge, and provides recommendations foci for future res
-
Research priorities for gender nonconforming/Transgender Youth: gender identity development and biopsychosocial outcomes.
Current opinion in endocrinology diabetes and obesity, 2016Co-Authors: Johanna Olson-kennedy, Robert Garofalo, Baudewijntje P C Kreukels, Walter J Meyer, Peggy T. Cohen-kettenis, Heino F. L. Meyer-bahlburg, Stephen M. RosenthalAbstract:Purpose of reviewThe review summarizes relevant research focused on prevalence and natural history of gender nonconforming/Transgender Youth, and outcomes of currently recommended clinical practice guidelines. This review identifies gaps in knowledge, and provides recommendations foci for future res
-
Environmental, Psychosocial, and Individual Correlates of HIV Risk in Ethnic Minority Male-to-Female Transgender Youth
Journal of HIV AIDS Prevention in Children & Youth, 2007Co-Authors: Robert Garofalo, Elizabeth Osmer, Christine Sullivan, Mimi Doll, Gary W HarperAbstract:Abstract Although HIV risk in male-to-female (MTF) Transgender adults is well documented, limited data exists on the experiences of MTF Transgender Youth. This cross-sectional study examines environmental, psychosocial, and individual correlates of risky sex among 51 MTF ethnie minority Transgender Youth age 16-25. Fifty-nine percent of participants reported high-risk sex defined as either unprotected insertive or receptive anal intercourse in the past year. Multiple factors that included higher depression scores, lower self-esteem, less social support, poorer safer sex communication skills, being non-African American, use of injection silicone, history of arrest, history of forced sex and having sex while high on drugs/alcohol, were significantly associated with high-risk sex among participants. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that among possible models with two independent variables, poorer communication skills and non-African American race/ethnicity were the most significant predictors of hi...
Marvin Belzer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
physiologic response to gender affirming hormones among Transgender Youth
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2017Co-Authors: Johanna Olsonkennedy, Marvin Belzer, Leslie F Clark, Vivian OkontaAbstract:Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the physiologic impact of hormones on Youth with gender dysphoria. These data represent follow-up data in Youth ages 12–23 years over a two-year time period of hormone administration. Methods This prospective, longitudinal study initially enrolled 101 Youth with gender dysphoria at baseline from those presenting consecutively for care between February 2011 and June 2013. Physiologic data at baseline and follow-up were abstracted from medical charts. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results Of the initial 101 participants, 59 Youth had follow-up physiologic data collected between 21 and 31 months after initiation of hormones available for analysis. Metabolic parameters changes were not clinically significant, with the exception of sex steroid levels, intended to be the target of intervention. Conclusions Although the impact of hormones on some historically concerning physiologic parameters, including lipids, potassium, hemoglobin, and prolactin, were statistically significant, clinical significance was not observed. Hormone levels physiologically concordant with gender of identity were achieved with feminizing and masculinizing medication regimens. Extensive and frequent laboratory examination in Transgender adolescents may be unnecessary. The use of hormones in Transgender Youth appears to be safe over a treatment course of approximately two years.
-
baseline physiologic and psychosocial characteristics of Transgender Youth seeking care for gender dysphoria
Journal of Adolescent Health, 2015Co-Authors: Johanna Olson, Sheree M Schrager, Marvin Belzer, Lisa Simons, Leslie F ClarkAbstract:Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to describe baseline characteristics of participants in a prospective observational study of Transgender Youth (aged 12–24 years) seeking care for gender dysphoria at a large, urban Transgender Youth clinic. Methods Eligible participants presented consecutively for care at between February 2011 and June 2013 and completed a computer-assisted survey at their initial study visit. Physiologic data were abstracted from medical charts. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, with limited comparisons between transmasculine and transfeminine participants. Results A total of 101 Youth were evaluated for physiologic parameters, 96 completed surveys assessing psychosocial parameters. About half (50.5%) of the Youth were assigned a male sex at birth. Baseline physiologic values were within normal ranges for assigned sex at birth. Youth recognized gender incongruence at a mean age of 8.3 years (standard deviation = 4.5), yet disclosed to their family much later (mean = 17.1; standard deviation = 4.2). Gender dysphoria was high among all participants. Thirty-five percent of the participants reported depression symptoms in the clinical range. More than half of the Youth reported having thought about suicide at least once in their lifetime, and nearly a third had made at least one attempt. Conclusions Baseline physiologic parameters were within normal ranges for assigned sex at birth. Transgender Youth are aware of the incongruence between their internal gender identity and their assigned sex at early ages. Prevalence of depression and suicidality demonstrates that Youth may benefit from timely and appropriate intervention. Evaluation of these Youth over time will help determine the impact of medical intervention and mental health therapy.
-
an evaluation of service utilization among male to female Transgender Youth qualitative study of a clinic based sample
Journal of Lgbt Health Research, 2007Co-Authors: Heather L Corliss, Marvin Belzer, Catherine Forbes, Erin C WilsonAbstract:This qualitative study examined experiences with health and social service institutions and experiences related to education, employment, and other social networks among 18 ethnically diverse, male to female (MTF) Transgender Youth aged 16 to 24 years. Participants were recruited from a Youth health clinic where they were receiving services for their Transgender/transsexual identity. In-depth, semi-structured interviews explored Youths' patterns of service utilization, reasons for seeking care, beliefs about the usefulness of services received, experiences with service providers, barriers to care, and suggestions for improving services tailored to them. Similar to other studies with this population, participants described a multitude of health and social risk experiences as well as complex needs related to healthcare, education, employment, housing, personal relationships, and safety. Results suggest a mixed pattern of both positive and negative experiences within the medical, social and mental health services arenas. To improve support for Transgender Youth and assist in their positive development, it is essential to improve and expand the availability of culturally competent and effective services for this population.