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Mental health of young trans and gender diverse people impacted by lockdown measures

The mental health of young trans and gender diverse people is being disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new research by psychologists at Nottingham Trent University.

Graphic of young people alone
Young people cited the lack of peer and social support as having an impact on their mental health

The study questioned people aged 16-25 years old via an online survey. More than 160 participants answered questions on how social distancing measures had impacted on their social lives, mental health and access to health services. They were also asked to complete measures of anxiety and depression.

Of those questioned, just over half were living at home with parents (54%) when the survey was live.  Around 63% were either under the care of a gender clinic or on a waiting list to be seen, and just 8% were happy with their stage of transition.

Findings revealed that those who experienced a greater impact of the Covid-19 outbreak and its associated social distancing measures reported poorer mental health, with 56% agreeing or strongly agreeing that they were struggling to access mental health care.

Lack of social support, negative interpersonal interactions, unsupportive and non-affirming living environments and the inability to access gender-affirming treatments, such as haircuts or hair removal, were all factors that were associated with poor mental health.

Although some accessed virtual peer-support provided by organisations, others found it difficult to engage and build the same rapport as with face-to-face interaction. A number of participants also struggled to find a safe space in their living environment to engage in online sessions due to fear of unsupportive or unaware co-habitants overhearing.

Dr Beth Jones, lead researcher and senior lecturer in Psychology at the University’s School of Social Sciences, said: “We know that the pandemic has been especially hard on young people, and many of them have experienced anxiety and depression. However, very little attention has been focused on trans and gender diverse people within this age group, who may be particularly vulnerable to pandemic-related mental health outcomes due to the social challenges, gender dissonance, and poor mental health they already experience.

“For example, social distancing measures which remove much of their access to social support which affirms their gender identity can contribute to the worsening of their mental health. This is especially so if they are in an unsupportive environment where they can’t live authentically, as around half of our respondents reported. Without this vital affirming support, the young people felt invisible and invalidated.”

With previous research showing that young trans and gender diverse people are already experiencing poorer mental health compared to their cisgender peers, the study highlights the importance of opportunities to stay socially connected as the UK comes out of lockdown, and beyond. Recommendations include the need to consider the high levels of social anxiety and threat already experienced when planning interventions.

Dr Jones added: “The challenges faced by this population in accessing formal support need to be acknowledged. Sadly, some of the young people highlighted how their social network was already impoverished and therefore nothing had been lost as a result of the social distancing regulations due to the isolation they already experienced.

“Affirming and supportive interactions are key in supporting young trans and gender diverse people. Our findings further demonstrate the importance of creating a safe space that young people cannot only access discreetly but where they will have their gender identity and expression affirmed.”

The full paper Exploring the mental health experiences of young trans and gender diverse people during the Covid-19 pandemic has been published in the International Journal of Transgender Health. Researchers include Dr Beth Jones, Dr Mhairi Bowe and Dr Niamh McNamara at Nottingham Trent University and Dr Tim Carter and Ella Guerin at the University of Nottingham.

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    About Nottingham Trent University

    Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students.

    NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.

    The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.

    It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.

    The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was awarded University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards 2019.

    A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2020 National Student Survey, above the sector average of 83%.

Published on 17 March 2021
  • Category: Press office; Research; School of Social Sciences