Hughto et al. (2020) conducted a study to estimate the prevalence of transgender children and adolescents in the United States, assess their mental health, and examine their health care utilization. The study used data from the 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH), which included a sample of 49,044 parents and legal guardians of children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years.
The study found that an estimated 0.7% of children and adolescents in the United States identify as transgender, which translates to approximately 150,000 individuals. This estimate is consistent with previous research on the prevalence of transgender individuals in the United States (Flores et al., 2016). The study also found that transgender children and adolescents were more likely to be non-White and have a lower household income compared to cisgender children and adolescents.
Transgender children and adolescents were found to have higher rates of mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, compared to their cisgender peers. Specifically, 45.5% of transgender children and adolescents reported feeling sad or hopeless for at least two weeks in the past year, compared to 31.9% of cisgender children and adolescents. Additionally, 53.6% of transgender children and adolescents reported feeling worried or anxious for at least two weeks in the past year, compared to 37.6% of cisgender children and adolescents. These findings are consistent with previous research on the mental health of transgender individuals (Reisner et al., 2015).
Transgender children and adolescents were also more likely to report being bullied and experiencing difficulties in school. Specifically, 63.7% of transgender children and adolescents reported being bullied in the past year, compared to 31.4% of cisgender children and adolescents. Additionally, 61.4% of transgender children and adolescents reported experiencing difficulties in school, such as feeling like they do not belong or having trouble making friends, compared to 32.3% of cisgender children and adolescents.
The study found that transgender children and adolescents were more likely to have seen a mental health professional in the past year compared to cisgender children and adolescents. Specifically, 60.6% of transgender children and adolescents had seen a mental health professional in the past year, compared to 29.9% of cisgender children and adolescents. However, they were less likely to have received preventive care, such as vaccinations and annual check-ups, and more likely to have unmet health care needs. Specifically, 20.1% of transgender children and adolescents had not received preventive care, compared to 12.3% of cisgender children and adolescents. Additionally, 22.8% of transgender children and adolescents had unmet health care needs, compared to 12.3% of cisgender children and adolescents.
The authors suggest that these findings highlight the need for improved access to gender-affirming care and increased support for transgender children and adolescents in schools and other settings. The authors also call for additional research to better understand the experiences of transgender children and adolescents and to identify effective interventions to address their unique health care needs.
In conclusion, Hughto et al. (2020) provide valuable insights into the prevalence, mental health, and health care utilization of transgender children and adolescents in the United States. The study highlights the need for improved access to gender-affirming care and increased support for transgender individuals in various settings, and suggests the need for additional research to address their unique health care needs
Title: Transgender Children and Adolescents in the United States: Prevalence, Mental Health, and Health Care Utilization
Authors: Hughto, J. M. W., Reisner, S. L., & Pachankis, J. E.
Year of publication: 2020
Journal: JAMA Pediatrics
DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.5763