Understanding depression and anxiety among transgender youth: The role of appearance satisfaction and family relationship

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Référence

Cotton JC, Martin-Storey A, Nadeau S, Daigneault MM, Bois L. (2026). Understanding depression and anxiety among transgender youth: The role of appearance satisfaction and family relationship. International Journal of LGBTQ+ Youth Studies. 1-21. 

Résumé

Transgender youth face distinct challenges regarding minority stress, such as discrimination, which can be linked to mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety. The minority stress theory (MST) identifies two key resilience factors that can influence transgender individuals’ well-being: community connection and pride. However, few studies simultaneously explore these resilience factors alongside other individual and community-level resilience factors, particularly among young individuals. This study examined the associations between individual-level resilience factors (pride, satisfaction with appearance) and interpersonal, family or community-level resilience factors (community connection, family relationships satisfaction, friendship satisfaction), with anxiety and depressive symptoms among 228 transgender participants aged between 14 to 19 from Quebec (Canada). Of the five resilience factors examined, only higher satisfaction with appearance and family relationships satisfaction were significantly associated with lower anxiety or depressive symptoms among participants. These results highlight the importance of considering transgender youth’s satisfaction with their appearance and family relationships when supporting them toward better well-being.

DOI