Introduction
The purpose of this study was to examine mental health status by gender identity among
undergraduate and graduate students.
Methods
Data came from the 2015–2017 Healthy Minds Study, a mobile survey of randomly selected
students (N=65,213 at 71 U.S. campuses, including 1,237 gender minority [GM] students);
data were analyzed in 2018. Outcomes were symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating
disorders, self-injury, and suicidality based on widely used, clinically validated
screening instruments. Bivariable and multivariable analyses explored differences
between GM and cisgender (non-GM) students as well as by assigned sex at birth.
Results
Across mental health measures, a significantly higher prevalence of symptoms was observed
in GM students than cisgender students. Compared with 45% of cisgender students, 78%
of GM students met the criteria for 1 or more of the aforementioned mental health
outcomes. GM status was associated with 4.3 times higher odds of having at least 1
mental health problem (95% CI=3.61, 5.12).
Conclusions
Findings from this largest campus-based study of its kind using representative data
with both gender identity and mental health measures underscore the importance of
recognizing and addressing GM mental health burdens, such as by screening for mental
health and providing gender-affirming services. There is broad urgency to identify
protective factors and reduce mental health inequities for this vulnerable population.
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© 2019 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
