Christine Judge reviewing Olson KR et al. Pediatrics 2016 Feb 26. Sherer I. Pediatrics 2016 Feb 26.

In a national convenience sample of prepubescent children presenting as transgender in all social settings, anxiety and depression levels were similar to those in nontransgender children.

Current evidence on mental health in transgender adolescents and adults indicates elevated risk for anxiety, depression, and suicidality in these groups. Whether risk for these poor mental health outcomes is similar in prepubescent children who are transgender (“those who persistently, insistently, and consistently identify as the gender that is the ‘opposite' of their natal sex”) is unclear.

To assess the risk for anxiety and depression in prepubescent transgender children who have socially transitioned (are fully supported by families and being raised and presenting to others as their identified gender vs. natal sex in all social settings), researchers recruited a convenience sample of 73 transgender children aged 3 to 12 years and asked their parents to evaluate their child's anxiety and depression using a standardized questionnaire. Participants were recruited nationally through support groups, conferences, media sources, a website, and word of mouth. Two comparison groups were also recruited — 49 nontransgender siblings (aged 3 to 12 years) and 73 age- and gender identity–matched, nontransgender children.

Compared with national norms on the standardized assessment tools, transgender children had average levels of depression and above-average levels of anxiety (but below preclinical or clinical thresholds). Compared with control groups, transgender children had similar levels of depression and marginally elevated anxiety (P=0.057).

Citation(s):

Olson KR et al. Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics 2016 Feb 26; [e-pub].

Sherer I.Social transition: Supporting our youngest transgender children. Pediatrics 2016 Feb 26; [e-pub]. 

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