Abstract: Risk and Protective Factors for Mental Health Problems Among Trans and Gender Diverse Youth (Society for Social Work and Research 31st Annual Conference)

Schedule:

Friday, January 22, 2027

Golden Gate 2 (Hilton San Francisco Union Square)

* noted as presenting author

Jennie Jester, PhD, Associate Research Scientist, University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, MI

Katie Edwards, Ph.D., Professor, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, MI

Lorey Wheeler, Professor, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Joseph Gardella, PhD, Assistant Research Scientist, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, MI

Jillian Scheer, Assistant Professor, University of Rhode Island

Debra Hope, Professor and Dean of Graduate Education, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Sloane Cornelius, Graduate Student Researcher, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Skyler Hopfau, Research and Project Manager, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI

Will Jackson, Project Coordinator, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI

Genevieve Bryson, Graduate Student Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE

Laura Wolter, Research operations and data management, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI

Susan Swearer, Professor, University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Background and Purpose. Trans and gender diverse youth (TGDY) experience disproportionately high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. These disparities are driven not only by individual-level vulnerabilities but also by structural inequities, stigma, and exposure to gender minority stress across multiple ecological levels. Despite growing recognition of these disparities, there remains a critical need to identify modifiable risk and protective factors that can inform strengths-based, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive interventions. Grounded in minority stress and resilience frameworks, this study examined both risk (e.g., internalized transphobia) and protective factors (e.g., social-emotional competence, identity affirmation, and hope for the future) associated with mental health symptoms among TGDY. Using baseline data from a pilot randomized controlled trial of an online mentoring intervention, this study aims to inform prevention and intervention strategies that are responsive to the lived experiences and strengths of TGDY.

Methods. A total of 57 TGDY, (50 assigned female and seven assigned male at birth) ranging in age from 14-18, completed baseline surveys. Racial/ethnic breakdown was Native American (3), Asian (9), Black (10), White (40) and Hispanic/Latine (20); 63% of participants identified as racially/ethnically minoritized.

Regression analysis was used to predict mental health symptoms. We first examined demographic variables as covariates; there were retained if the covariate predicted symptoms at p < .1. All relationships were visually inspected, and no evidence of non-linearity was found. Robust regression was used when Cook’s D indicated potential outliers. As this was a pilot study, we used an alpha level of 0.1. Regression results are reported as mean of the treatment effect estimate.

Results. The self-awareness subscale of the Social Emotional Competence Questionnaire (SECQ) was related to lower suicidal ideation symptoms (-4.72, p = .007), and lower depression symptoms (-1.83, p = .079). The responsible decision-making scale of the SECQ was related to lower anxiety symptoms (-1.59, p = .048). Internalized transphobia, from the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure, was related to higher depression symptoms (0.22, p = .098). Hope for the future (HFFM) predicted lower anxiety symptoms (-4.49, p = .001) and lower depression symptoms (-3.28, p = .040).

Conclusions and implications. Findings highlight the central role of modifiable, strengths-based protective factors in shaping mental health among TGDY. Social-emotional competence, positive identity development, and hope for the future emerged as key correlates of improved mental health, while internalized transphobia remained a salient risk factor. These results reinforce minority stress theory and underscore the importance of addressing both internalized stigma and the broader structural conditions that produce it. From a social work perspective, these findings point to actionable targets for intervention. Programs that integrate social-emotional learning, affirming identity development, and future-oriented hope-building may be particularly effective in reducing mental health disparities. Mentoring interventions may serve as a critical context for fostering these protective processes through supportive relationships and affirming role models. More broadly, multi-level approaches are needed to both strengthen individual resilience and disrupt the structural drivers of minority stress to promote sustained well-being among TGDY.