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Serial Mediation Analysis of the Association of Familiarity with Transgender Sports Bans and Suicidality among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in the United States

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  • Jennifer R. Pharr

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Lung-Chang Chien

    (Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Maxim Gakh

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Jason Flatt

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Krystal Kittle

    (Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

  • Emylia Terry

    (Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89119, USA)

Abstract

Background: Discriminatory laws and policies are a form of structural stigma that is associated with increased suicidality among sexual and gender minority (SGM) people. Unfortunately, in the United States, there has been an increase in state-level discriminatory laws and policies targeting SGM people in 2021 and 2022, particularly, transgender sports bans. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine if familiarity with transgender sports bans was associated with suicidality among SGM adults; and (2) determine if interpersonal stigma and/or individual stigma mediated this association. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of data collected from a national sample of 1033 SGM adults in the United States between 28 January and 7 February 2022. Univariate and serial mediator models were used in this analysis. Results: The increased suicidality was associated with familiarity with state-level transgender sports bans among SGM adults ( p -value = 0.0150). Even after interpersonal and individual stigma mediated this relationship, the association between suicidality and familiarity with state-level transgender sports bans remained ( p -value = 0.0106). Conclusion: State-level transgender sports bans appear to exacerbate existing disparities in mental health, especially for individuals who are familiar with the bans. They directly discriminate against people who are transgender and indirectly stigmatize the broader SGM community.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer R. Pharr & Lung-Chang Chien & Maxim Gakh & Jason Flatt & Krystal Kittle & Emylia Terry, 2022. "Serial Mediation Analysis of the Association of Familiarity with Transgender Sports Bans and Suicidality among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10641-:d:898277
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. White Hughto, Jaclyn M. & Reisner, Sari L. & Pachankis, John E., 2015. "Transgender stigma and health: A critical review of stigma determinants, mechanisms, and interventions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 222-231.
    2. Elizabeth A. Sharrow, 2021. "Sports, Transgender Rights and the Bodily Politics of Cisgender Supremacy," Laws, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-29, July.
    3. Chavez, Leo R. & Campos, Belinda & Corona, Karina & Sanchez, Daina & Ruiz, Catherine Belyeu, 2019. "Words hurt: Political rhetoric, emotions/affect, and psychological well-being among Mexican-origin youth," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 240-251.
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    1. Jennifer R. Pharr & Lung-Chang Chien & Maxim Gakh & Jason D. Flatt & Krystal Kittle & Emylia Terry, 2022. "Moderating Effect of Community and Individual Resilience on Structural Stigma and Suicidal Ideation among Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.

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