Binary and Non-binary Gender Identities, Internalizing Problems, and Treatment Wishes Among Adolescents Referred to a Gender Identity Clinic in Germany
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Binary and Non-binary Gender Identities, Internalizing Problems, and Treatment Wishes Among Adolescents Referred to a Gender Identity Clinic in Germany. / Herrmann, Lena; Barkmann, Claus; Bindt, Carola; Fahrenkrug, Saskia; Breu, Franziska; Grebe, Jörn; Becker-Hebly, Inga.
In: ARCH SEX BEHAV, Vol. 53, No. 1, 01.2024, p. 91-106.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Binary and Non-binary Gender Identities, Internalizing Problems, and Treatment Wishes Among Adolescents Referred to a Gender Identity Clinic in Germany
AU - Herrmann, Lena
AU - Barkmann, Claus
AU - Bindt, Carola
AU - Fahrenkrug, Saskia
AU - Breu, Franziska
AU - Grebe, Jörn
AU - Becker-Hebly, Inga
N1 - © 2023. The Author(s).
PY - 2024/1
Y1 - 2024/1
N2 - Clinical research on transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) adolescents has focused on binary individuals or often not differentiated among gender identities. Recent studies suggest that a considerable proportion of TGNC adolescents identify as non-binary and that these youth report more internalizing problems as well as different transition-related medical treatment wishes than binary adolescents. However, the results are inconclusive, and data for the German-speaking area are lacking. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the percentage of binary and non-binary gender identities in a German sample of clinically referred TGNC adolescents and examine associations of gender identity with internalizing problems and transition-related medical treatment wishes. The sample consisted of 369 adolescents (11-18 years, Mage = 15.43; 305 birth-assigned female, 64 birth-assigned male) who attended the Hamburg Gender Identity Service for children and adolescents (Hamburg GIS) between 2013 and 2019. Gender identity and treatment wishes were assessed using study-specific items and internalizing problems using the Youth Self-Report. In total, 90% (n = 332) of the sample identified as binary and 10% (n = 37) as non-binary. Having a non-binary gender identity was significantly associated with more internalizing problems and with wishing for no transition-related medical treatment or only puberty-suppressing hormones. The results underscore that non-binary adolescents represent a specifically vulnerable subgroup within TGNC adolescents with unique mental health needs and treatment wishes. Future research should differentiate among various gender identities. In clinical practice, it is crucial to create an inclusive space for non-binary youth and provide mental health care if needed.
AB - Clinical research on transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) adolescents has focused on binary individuals or often not differentiated among gender identities. Recent studies suggest that a considerable proportion of TGNC adolescents identify as non-binary and that these youth report more internalizing problems as well as different transition-related medical treatment wishes than binary adolescents. However, the results are inconclusive, and data for the German-speaking area are lacking. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the percentage of binary and non-binary gender identities in a German sample of clinically referred TGNC adolescents and examine associations of gender identity with internalizing problems and transition-related medical treatment wishes. The sample consisted of 369 adolescents (11-18 years, Mage = 15.43; 305 birth-assigned female, 64 birth-assigned male) who attended the Hamburg Gender Identity Service for children and adolescents (Hamburg GIS) between 2013 and 2019. Gender identity and treatment wishes were assessed using study-specific items and internalizing problems using the Youth Self-Report. In total, 90% (n = 332) of the sample identified as binary and 10% (n = 37) as non-binary. Having a non-binary gender identity was significantly associated with more internalizing problems and with wishing for no transition-related medical treatment or only puberty-suppressing hormones. The results underscore that non-binary adolescents represent a specifically vulnerable subgroup within TGNC adolescents with unique mental health needs and treatment wishes. Future research should differentiate among various gender identities. In clinical practice, it is crucial to create an inclusive space for non-binary youth and provide mental health care if needed.
U2 - 10.1007/s10508-023-02674-8
DO - 10.1007/s10508-023-02674-8
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 37563319
VL - 53
SP - 91
EP - 106
JO - ARCH SEX BEHAV
JF - ARCH SEX BEHAV
SN - 0004-0002
IS - 1
ER -