Trans Swiss: Gender minority stress and psychological well-being in Swiss transpersons

Studies in English-speaking countries show that compared to the cispopulation, transpersons are exposed to psychological and physical violence at disproportionally high levels. Moreover, prevalence of affective disorders is... [ view full abstract ]

Studies in English-speaking countries show that compared to the cispopulation, transpersons are exposed to psychological and physical violence at disproportionally high levels. Moreover, prevalence of affective disorders is higher in transpopulations than in cispersons. The minority stress theory provides a method to integrate and interpret these results in a comprehensive manner.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between single factors of the minority stress model (distal, proximal and resilience factors) and the occurrence of depressive symptoms in German-speaking transitioned... [ view full abstract ]

This study aims to investigate the relationship between single factors of the minority stress model (distal, proximal and resilience factors) and the occurrence of depressive symptoms in German-speaking transitioned transpersons in Switzerland. Thereby we hypothesize that transpersons exposed to higher levels of minority stress exhibit more depressive symptoms.

With the aid of local transorganisations as well as data from four medical centers in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, 136 transpersons were recruited for the study. The questionnaires were to be filled out online or... [ view full abstract ]

With the aid of local transorganisations as well as data from four medical centers in the German-speaking part of Switzerland, 136 transpersons were recruited for the study. The questionnaires were to be filled out online or as paper-pencil version.

The hypotheses were analyzed through correlational and multiple regression analysis. [ view full abstract ]

The hypotheses were analyzed through correlational and multiple regression analysis.

The relationship between depressive symptoms and distal as well as proximal factors yielded medium to large effects (r = .27 to .51, p < .01). In contrast, resilience factors prompted only small effects (r = -.15 to -.25, p <... [ view full abstract ]

The relationship between depressive symptoms and distal as well as proximal factors yielded medium to large effects (r = .27 to .51, p < .01). In contrast, resilience factors prompted only small effects (r = -.15 to -.25, p < .01). Multivariate analyses identified three variables to explain variance (unemployment, β = -.28, p < .01; non-affirmation of gender identity, β = .27, p < .01; and internalised transphobia, β = .26, p < .01) and found a mediating effect of the proximal factors. The moderating effect of the resilience factors was not demonstrated.

The results of the bivariate analyses indicate a relationship between the minority stress factors as formulated in the model. Though the protective influence of resilience factors is surprisingly small. Unemployment,... [ view full abstract ]

The results of the bivariate analyses indicate a relationship between the minority stress factors as formulated in the model. Though the protective influence of resilience factors is surprisingly small. Unemployment, non-affirmation of gender identity and internalised transphobia explain a considerable proportion of the variance. These results have clinical implications. Practitioners should foster a transpositive environment with their clients and actively discuss important issues of their psychosocial well-being in the first place. However, practitioners are also encouraged to explore and address aspects of internalised transphobia in their clients in order to reduce their minority stress.