Health, disability and quality of life among trans people in Sweden–a web-based survey

Abstract

BackgroundSwedish research concerning the general health of trans people is scarce. Despite the diversity of the group, most Swedish research has focused on gender dysphoric people seeking medical help for their gender incongruence, or on outcomes after medical gender-confirming interventions. This paper examines self-rated health, self-reported disability and quality of life among a diverse group of trans people including trans feminine, trans masculine, and gender nonbinary people (identifying with a gender in between male of female, or identify with neither of these genders) as well as people self-identifying as transvestites.MethodsParticipants were self-selected anonymously to a web-based survey conducted in 2014. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed. Three backward selection regression models were conducted in order to identify significant variables for the outcomes self-rated health, self-reported disability and quality of life.ResultsStudy participants included 796 individuals, between 15 and 94 years of age who live in Sweden. Respondents represented a heterogeneous group with regards to trans experience, with the majority being gender nonbinary (44 %), followed by trans masculine (24 %), trans feminine (19 %) and transvestites (14 %). A fifth of the respondents reported poor self-rated health, 53 % reported a disability and 44 % reported quality of life scores below the median cut-off value of 6 (out of 10). Nonbinary gender identity (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 2.19; 95 % CI: 1.24, 3.84), negative health care experiences (aOR = 1.92; 95 % CI: 1.26, 2.91) and not accessing legal gender recognition (aOR = 3.06; 95 % CI: 1.64, 5.72) were significant predictors for self-rated health. Being gender nonbinary (aOR = 2.18; 95 % CI: 1.35, 3.54) and history of negative health care experiences (aOR = 2.33; 95 % CI: 1.54, 3.52) were, in addition, associated with self-reported disability. Lastly, not accessing legal gender recognition (aOR = 0.32; 95 % CI: 0.17, 0.61) and history of negative health care experiences (aOR = 0.56; 95 % CI: 0.36, 0.88) were associated with lower quality of life.ConclusionsThe results of this study demonstrate that the general health of trans respondents is related to vulnerabilities that are unique for trans people in addition to other well-known health determinants.

Subcutaneous Mastectomy Improves Satisfaction with Body and Psychosocial Function in Trans Men: Findings of a Cross-Sectional Study Using the BODY-Q Chest Module

“…Also, previous studies observed the importance of preoperative expectations of surgery and experienced complications on quality of life after gender-confirming operations. 11 , 12 As mastectomies are frequently followed by secondary corrections, surgeons should prepare trans men to anticipate possible disappointing outcomes after initial surgery and the possible need for revision surgery. Patient-reported outcomes after mastectomy were related to co-occurring depressive symptoms, assessed by the screening question.…”

“… 8 Past studies of the effectiveness of mastectomy found that body image improved after surgery, 8 , 9 as did psychological well-being and experienced gender dysphoria. 10 Factors associated with treatment satisfaction and quality of life included treatment expectations, 11 physical appearance, 9 health care experiences and complications, 11 , 12 psychological distress, 9 and social support and discrimination. 13 …”

Erratum to: Health, disability and quality of life among trans people in Sweden–a web-based survey

“…In the publication of this article [ 1 ] it was brought to our attention that the last sentence on page 12 incorrectly states: “Legal gender recognition, in the context of this study, is a precondition for access to gender-confirming health care”. The correct sentence should read: “Gender-confirming health care, in the context of this study, is a precondition for access to legal gender recognition”.…”

Targeted Victimization and Suicidality Among Trans People: A Web-Based Survey

“…After screening and removing incomplete and noneligible responses, 796 respondents remained for the analysis. 22 …”

“…The categorization was carried out in a structured way according to specific requirements, which are described in detail elsewhere. 22 …”