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Gender Identity Milestones, Minority Stress and Mental Health in Three Generational Cohorts of Italian Binary and Nonbinary Transgender People

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  • Cristiano Scandurra

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Agostino Carbone

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Roberto Baiocco

    (Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Selene Mezzalira

    (Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, 35139 Padova, Italy)

  • Nelson Mauro Maldonato

    (Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Bochicchio

    (Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Calabria, 87036 Cosenza, Italy)

Abstract

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people experience high rates of minority stress and associated risk for negative health outcomes. However, during the last years, significant positive socio-cultural changes have happened, and younger cohorts of TGNC individuals are having diverse experiences compared to older cohorts. By integrating the minority stress theory and the life course perspective, this cross-sectional, web-based study aimed to explore in 197 Italian TGNC people aged 18 to 54 years ( M = 29.82, SD = 9.64) whether the average ages of gender identity milestones (i.e., first insights about being TGNC, self-labeling as a TGNC person, and coming out), minority stress, and mental health vary among three generational cohorts (i.e., Generation Z, Millennials, and Generation X). Compared with older cohorts, younger participants: (a) were more likely to be in the trans-masculine spectrum; (b) self-labeled as TGNC and came out earlier; (c) had more negative expectations and lower levels of disclosure; and (d) had higher levels of mental health problems. No generational differences related to first insights about being TGNC and distal minority stressors were found. Furthermore, compared with binary individuals, participants with a non-binary identity: (a) reported later ages for the gender identity milestones; (b) had higher negative expectations; and (c) had higher levels of mental health problems. Overall, our findings indicated that changes in the social environments have a limited impact on stigmatization processes and mental health of Italian TGNC people.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristiano Scandurra & Agostino Carbone & Roberto Baiocco & Selene Mezzalira & Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Vincenzo Bochicchio, 2021. "Gender Identity Milestones, Minority Stress and Mental Health in Three Generational Cohorts of Italian Binary and Nonbinary Transgender People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:17:p:9057-:d:623456
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bradford, J. & Reisner, S.L. & Honnold, J.A. & Xavier, J., 2013. "Experiences of transgender-related discrimination and implications for health: Results from the Virginia transgender health initiative study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(10), pages 1820-1829.
    2. Annalisa Anzani & Chiara De Panfilis & Cristiano Scandurra & Antonio Prunas, 2020. "Personality Disorders and Personality Profiles in a Sample of Transgender Individuals Requesting Gender-Affirming Treatments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Bockting, W.O. & Miner, M.H. & Swinburne Romine, R.E. & Hamilton, A. & Coleman, E., 2013. "Stigma, mental health, and resilience in an online sample of the US transgender population," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 103(5), pages 943-951.
    4. Marta Evelia Aparicio-García & Eva María Díaz-Ramiro & Susana Rubio-Valdehita & María Inmaculada López-Núñez & Isidro García-Nieto, 2018. "Health and Well-Being of Cisgender, Transgender and Non-Binary Young People," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-11, September.
    5. Cristiano Scandurra & Vincenzo Bochicchio & Anna Lisa Amodeo & Concetta Esposito & Paolo Valerio & Nelson Mauro Maldonato & Dario Bacchini & Roberto Vitelli, 2018. "Internalized Transphobia, Resilience, and Mental Health: Applying the Psychological Mediation Framework to Italian Transgender Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Elena Tubertini & Agostino Carbone & Massimo Santinello, 2023. "Staff Members’ Experience of Italian Shelters for LGBTQIA+ Homeless and Runaway People: An Exploratory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(13), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Ítala Raymundo Chinazzo & Anna Martha Vaitses Fontanari & Angelo Brandelli Costa & Maria Inês Rodrigues Lobato, 2023. "Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt in Brazilian Transgender Youth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Cristiano Scandurra & Concetta Esposito & Francesco Fantacci & Lorenzo Borrello & Vincenzo Bochicchio & Daniel Giunti & Paolo Antonelli, 2023. "Social Support, Identity Affirmation, and Psychological Well-Being: A Developmental and Intersectional Comparison between Italian Cisgender and Non-Binary People with Bisexual Orientation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-16, February.
    4. Selene Mezzalira & Cristiano Scandurra & Fabrizio Mezza & Marina Miscioscia & Marco Innamorati & Vincenzo Bochicchio, 2022. "Gender Felt Pressure, Affective Domains, and Mental Health Outcomes among Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review with Developmental and Clinical Implication," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-25, December.

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