Rates and Correlates of Polyvictimization, Depression, and Suicide Attempts for Cisgender, Transgender, and Genderqueer Youth

Background and Purpose: Sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) are at greater risk for polyvictimization (≥10 victimization experiences in the last year), depression, and suicide. Little research exists on the rates of these social problems for transgender and genderqueer youth. Utilizing a national sample of sexual minority youth (N=1179), the study aims to (a) generate estimates of polyvictimization, depression, and suicide attempts for cisgender, transgender, and genderqueer youth and (b) identify individual-, family-, peer-, and school-level factors that are significantly associated with depression and suicide attempts for cisgender, transgender, and genderqueer youth, controlling for polyvictimization.

Methods: The study utilized an Internet-based, quota sample of SMGY. Inclusion criteria included non-heterosexual and/or non-cisgender identity, ages 14-19, middle or high school enrollment, U.S. residency, and English literacy. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative design, the sample was recruited through Facebook advertisements and promotional materials at 12 SGMY organizations. Adapted versions of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire and Swearer Bullying Survey were used to assess polyvictimization. A measure of family-level homo/transnegative microaggressions and homo/transpositive microaffirmations was developed for the study. Depression was measured with the CESD-10 and suicide attempts with a binary indicator of an attempt within the last 12-months. Gender-role nonconformity, family religiosity and poverty, peer rejection, and school climate were assessed with existing and adapted measures. Descriptive analysis identified rates of polyvictimization, depression, and suicide stratified by gender identity. Multiple ordinal and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with depression and suicide.

Results: Lifetime and last year rates of polyvictimization were highest for genderqueer (82.3%; 59.1%), followed by transgender (78.9%; 58.5%), cisgender female (68.6%; 38.8%), and cisgender male (66.6%; 36.7%). Depression and suicide rates were highest for transgender [M=17.7 (SE=0.8); 43.6%], followed by genderqueer [M=16.1 (SE=0.4); 30.8%], cisgender female [M=14.2 (SE=0.3); 24.3%], and cisgender male [M=11.4 (SE=0.3); 16.9%]. In regards to depression, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender-role nonconformity, polyvictimization, family-level poverty and microaggressions, peer rejection, and school climate were significant predictors. Specifically, cisgender female (b=1.80, p<0.01), transgender (b=2.53, p<0.01), and genderqueer (b=1.81, p<0.05) participants reported significantly higher depression than cisgender males, controlling for the other variables. In regards to suicide, gender identity, polyvictimization, family-level microaggression, and peer rejection were significant predictors. Transgender youth had a significantly higher adjusted odds ratio (AOR=2.49, p<.05) of attempting suicide in comparison to cisgender males.

Conclusion: Transgender and genderqueer youth had the highest rates of polyvictimization, depression, and suicide attempts in comparison to their cisgender counterparts. This study identified modifiable risk and protective factors for depression and suicide, including polyvictimization, family-level poverty and microaggressions, peer rejection, and school climate that may have important practice implications. Future research is needed to explore other unique individual, family, peer, and environmental factors as gender identity still remained a significant predictor for depression and suicide attempts even after controlling for all the other risk and protective factors. Future prevention and intervention efforts should recognize the impact of family, peer, and school environments on mental health and suicide attempts for transgender and genderqueer youth.