Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Perceived Parental Acceptance and Minority Stress as Predictors of Mental Health Outcomes Among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Emerging Adults

Availability

Thesis (Electronic Copy Not Available)

Abstract

Emerging adults have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use compared to individuals of other age cohorts (Lee et al., 2023; Terlizzi & Villarroel, 2020; Vasilenko et al., 2017). Among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (i.e., LGB) emerging adults, these prevalence rates are even higher (Marshal et al., 2011; Pachankis et al., 2018; Ryan et al., 2009). Minority Stress Theory suggests that prejudice and rejection exacerbate stress in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (i.e., LGBTQ+) people, potentially leading to mental/behavioral health concerns (Meyer, 2003). For LGBTQ+ individuals, low perceived parental acceptance (PPA) may confer additional risk (Ryan et al., 2009). Research examining issues specific to transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) young people is emerging, and much of the available research is qualitative, leaving gaps in the current literature. Thus, the current study examined the relation between PPA, minority stress, and mental/behavioral health outcomes among TGNC emerging adults. Two hundred twenty-one TGNC emerging adults completed online measures of minority stress, depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, substance use, PPA, and demographic information. Significant positive correlations emerged between gender minority stress and depression, generalized anxiety, and social anxiety, respectively, but not substance use. PPA had significant negative correlations with depression and generalized anxiety, but not social anxiety or substance use. PPA did not moderate the relation between gender minority stress and mental/behavioral health outcomes. Additionally, receipt of medical gender-affirming care (GAC) was correlated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and gender minority stress compared to TGNC individuals who desire but had not received medical GAC. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed.

Year of Submission

2024

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Department of Psychology

First Advisor

Elizabeth K. Lefler

Date Original

5-2024

Object Description

1 PDF (x, 132 pages)

Language

en

Electronic copy is not available through UNI ScholarWorks.

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