Higher Prevalence of Mental Disorder and Suicidality Among Transgender When Compared to Cisgender Population: JAMA Study

The study used data from the Mental Health and Access to Care Survey (MHACS), which is a nationally representative cross-sectional study administered by Statistics Canada from March to July 2022. A sample size of 9861 was included in the study. When sex at birth and gender identity matched, respondents were classified as cisgender; in the case of a mismatch, respondents were classified as transgender and gender diverse. Past 12-month and lifetime major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, social phobia, alcohol use disorder, and substance use disorder, suicidal thoughts, plan, and attempt were assessed as outcomes.

Out of the total sample, 52 were identified as transgender. The study found that in the past 12-month and lifetime major depressive episode, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, social phobia, substance use disorder, suicide ideation, suicide plan, and suicide attempts were higher in transgender and gender diverse respondents compared with cisgender respondents.

The risk of all 12-month and past-year mental disorders, substance use disorder, and suicide ideation were higher in transgender and gender diverse respondents compared with cisgender participants. The risk of lifetime suicide plan and attempts was significantly higher in transgender and gender diverse respondents. Alcohol use disorder did not differ between the groups.

This disparity may be explained by minority stress theory, which posits that the experience of prejudice and negative social experiences by members of historically stigmatized groups can have substantial impacts on both physical and mental health, concluded the authors.

Reference: Eccles H, Abramovich A, Patte KA, et al. Mental Disorders and Suicidality in Transgender and Gender-Diverse People. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(10):e2436883. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.36883