Transgender individuals experience high levels of discrimination and harassment, which can negatively impact their mental health and well-being (Grant et al., 2010; James et al., 2016). Research has found that transgender individuals are at an increased risk of depression and anxiety, with rates of depression ranging from 28% to 60% (Grant et al., 2010; James et al., 2016; Perez-Brumer et al., 2021). Discrimination is a significant source of stress for transgender individuals, and it is associated with negative mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation (Bockting et al., 2013; Testa et al., 2017).
This study used data from the 2015 US Transgender Survey, which is a large-scale survey of transgender individuals in the United States (James et al., 2016). The sample included 2,166 transgender adults who completed the survey. The study used a multiple linear regression model to examine the relationship between transgender discrimination, social support, and depression. The model controlled for demographic variables such as age, race/ethnicity, education, and income.
The results of the study showed that social support significantly moderates the relationship between transgender discrimination and depression (Perez-Brumer et al., 2021). The study found that social support buffers the negative effects of transgender discrimination on depression. In other words, individuals who reported high levels of social support experienced lower levels of depression, even when they experienced high levels of discrimination. This finding suggests that social support can play a critical role in mitigating the negative effects of discrimination and promoting the mental health and well-being of transgender individuals.
The study’s findings underscore the importance of social support in promoting the mental health and well-being of transgender individuals (Perez-Brumer et al., 2021). The study found that social support buffers the negative effects of discrimination on depression, highlighting the protective role that social support can play in mitigating the negative effects of stress and discrimination. The study’s results suggest that interventions aimed at promoting social support for transgender individuals could be effective in improving mental health outcomes. Such interventions could include support groups, counseling, and peer mentoring programs. Additionally, the study’s findings suggest that healthcare providers should assess the social support networks of transgender individuals and provide appropriate referrals for social support services as part of their routine care (Perez-Brumer et al., 2021).
In conclusion, the study by Perez-Brumer et al. (2021) found that social support significantly moderates the relationship between transgender discrimination and depression among transgender adults. The study’s results suggest that social support can play a crucial role in promoting the mental health and well-being of transgender individuals. The study’s findings have important implications for healthcare providers and policymakers, highlighting the need to promote social support for transgender individuals and to develop interventions that address the adverse effects of discrimination on mental health.
References sited:
Bockting, W. O., Miner, M. H., Swinburne Romine, R. E., Hamilton, A., & Coleman, E. (2013). Stigma, mental health, and resilience in an online sample of the US transgender population. American journal of public health, 103(5), 943-951.
Grant, J. M., Mottet, L. A., Tanis, J., Harrison, J., Herman, J. L., & Keisling, M. (2010). Injustice at every turn: A report of the national transgender discrimination survey. National Center for Transgender Equality and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.
Reference:
Title: The Effect of Social Support on the Relationship Between Transgender Discrimination and Depression Among Transgender Adults
Authors: Perez-Brumer, A., Hatzenbuehler, M. L., Oldenburg, C. E., & Bockting, W. O.
Year of publication: 2021
Journal: Journal of Homosexuality