Objective: The aims of this commentary are to: (a) provide an overview of the current sociopolitical context experienced by transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth and caregivers, (b) summarize the research that has been conducted about how the sociopolitical context impacts the mental health and wellbeing of TGD youth and caregivers, (c) discuss the clinical implications of these findings, and (d) identify steps mental health providers can take to be advocates for TGD youth and their families. Methods: Authors include a psychologist and adolescent medicine physician working within a multidisciplinary gender program for youth and a psychologist in independent practice who specializes in working with LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer) youth, especially TGD youth. Clinical implications and advocacy steps were informed by our synthesis of the research literature as well as our own experiences working within the field of TGD health. Results: TGD youth and families have identified a range of stressors and coping strategies associated with the sociopolitical climate. Existing guides to clinical practice with TGD people can be adapted to incorporate these findings. We propose a “menu” of advocacy steps for providers to consider. Conclusions: Awareness of the larger sociopolitical context is crucial to providing high quality care to TGD youth and their families. By participating in advocacy efforts, mental health providers can have a unique and meaningful impact on the social and structural factors that impact the mental health and wellbeing of this population. Ethical principles within the field of psychology highlight how advocacy efforts are an important component of practice.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.