A new study has found that teens who are “gender-questioning” have worse health outcomes. The world has come a long way in understanding that there are differences between sex and gender, and the struggles that the LGBTQ+ community face on a daily basis. However, there is still a long way to go and youth may be struggling with their identity. Teenagers are already in a process of “finding themselves,” but when you add in questions about their gender and sexuality, it can be even more confusing, and it is important to know how to support an individual who is on a journey of self-learning.According to Medical Xpress, a study has found that teenagers who are transgender, or gender-questioning have worse health outcomes. The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, and it can be read in full here.When compared with cisgender youth (those whose gender matches their biological sex), transgender and gender-questioning youth have increased risk factors and worse outcomes in five areas of health. To complete the study, researchers used data from the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior surveys.They wanted to look at risk factors and health outcomes when it came to gender minority adolescents. They looked at bullying, sexual and dating violence, mental health and suicidal thoughts, sexual risk behaviors, and substance use.In the study, they had more than 4,000 transgender individuals, more than 3,500 gender-questioning individuals, and more than 180,000 cisgendered individuals. They found that those who were transgender or gender-questioning had an increased risk of suffering in any of the categories listed above. Any of these health risks could carry long-term health impacts, and they need to be taken seriously.
This is yet another study to show the unique challenges that the LGBTQ+ community is facing, especially youth. Youths are just on their journey to finding who they are, and they are starting to deal with these issues for the first time, and it can be tough to navigate. It is important that parents are aware of the challenges their children may face, and that they are set up with resources that can help and support systems.
LGBTQ+ youth may benefit from some form of therapy and connection to help them cope with the challenges and to screen them for any signs that they are suffering. Early intervention and treatment are key when struggling with mental health issues.
Sources: Medical Xpress, JAMA Network