The role of internalized transphobia and negative expectations in the relationship between identity-specific intimate partner violence and mental health outcomes in transgender and gender nonconforming young adults.

Abstract

Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals are at increased risk for mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Gender Minority Stress Model posits that this disparity can be explained by several pathways, with proximal stressors (e.g., internalized transphobia, negative expectations) mediating the relationship between distal stressors (e.g., intimate partner violence [IPV]) and mental health. The current study sought to assess one such pathway by testing the hypothesis that internalized transphobia and negative expectations would mediate the relationship between identity-specific IPV (i.e., transgender-related IPV, identity abuse) and depression, anxiety, and PTSD. All variables were measured concurrently using an in-person survey with 200 TGNC young adults. As hypothesized, negative expectations were found to likely mediate the relationships between identity-specific IPV and mental health; the proportion mediated by negative expectations ranged from .253 to .487. Contrary to expectations, internalized transphobia was not found to be a likely mediator in any models, although it was associated with mental health in bivariate correlations. More research is needed to determine why negative expectations, but not internalized transphobia, may be a mediator between identity-specific IPV and psychopathology. However, the present results indicate that clinical work with TGNC IPV survivors should account for identity-specific experiences and may benefit from targeting cognitive distortions related to negative expectations. Future research should assess this pathway with a longitudinal design, as well as test additional Gender Minority Stress Model pathways to gain a more thorough understanding of the factors affecting mental health disparities in the TGNC population.

The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on the Mental and Physical Health of Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Comprehensive Review of Quantitative Research

“…The current review aims to adopt an intersectional lens to explore the mental and physical health consequences of IPV victimization among SGM individuals, and to synthesize the existing 2020), and queer/pansexual/asexual/demisexual/other non-heterosexual orientation (Beymer et IPV victimization was signi cantly associated with PTSD in ve studies. For instance, Taber et al (2023) found that experiencing either form of identityspeci c IPV was associated with a signi cantly higher score on the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-6) (Han et al, 2016) (p < .001) and that 1) the total and direct relationship of transgender-related IPV with PTSD and 2) the total and direct relationship between identity abuse with PTSD were signi cant based on 95% CI. In addition, Stults et al (2015) found that in a sample of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men, lifetime IPV victimization was signi cantly correlated with PTSD symptoms (r = .23, p < .001).…”

“…IPV victimization was signi cantly associated with depression in twelve studies. Taber et al (2023) found that experiencing either form of identity-speci c IPV was signi cantly associated with higher scores on the PHQ-9 measure (PHQ-9)(Kroenke et al, 2001) (p < .001). In addition, the authors found that the total and direct relationships between transgender-related IPV and depression and between identity abuse and depression were signi cant based on 95% CI (Taber et al 2023).…”

“…Taber et al (2023) found that experiencing either form of identity-speci c IPV was signi cantly associated with higher scores on the PHQ-9 measure (PHQ-9)(Kroenke et al, 2001) (p < .001). In addition, the authors found that the total and direct relationships between transgender-related IPV and depression and between identity abuse and depression were signi cant based on 95% CI (Taber et al 2023). Woulfe & Goodman (2020) found that identity abuse exposure accounted for an additional 1% of the variance in depression scores after controlling for other forms of IPV and demographic variables (r = .10, p < .001).…”

“…IPV victimization was signi cantly associated with anxiety in four studies. First, Taber et al (2023) found that experiencing any form of identity-speci c IPV was associated with a signi cantly higher score on the General Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) (Spitzer et al, 2006) (p < .001) and that the total and direct relationships between transgender-related IPV and anxiety and between identity abuse and anxiety were all signi cant based on the 95% CI. In addition, Reuter et al (2017) found that verbal IPV victimization at a 4-year study follow-up was associated with higher levels of anxiety one year later (t = 2.04, p = .044).…”