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Emotional Distress, Bullying Victimization, and Protective Factors Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents in City, Suburban, Town, and Rural Locations
Author(s) -
Eisenberg Marla E.,
Gower Amy L.,
McMorris Barbara J.,
Rider G. Nicole,
Coleman Eli
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/jrh.12311
Subject(s) - transgender , distress , emotional distress , clinical psychology , population , psychology , suicidal ideation , suicide prevention , poison control , medicine , environmental health , psychiatry , anxiety , psychoanalysis
Purpose Understanding the root causes of the substantial disparities in risk and protective factors among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents is essential to the development and expansion of resources and supports for this vulnerable population. This study examines differences in emotional distress, bullying victimization, and protective factors among TGD high school students in city, suburban, town, and rural locations. Methods Data come from a statewide school‐based survey conducted in Minnesota in 2016 (n = 2,168 TGD youth). Analysis of covariance models were used to predict the prevalence of multiple indicators of emotional distress, bullying victimization, and protective factors across the 4 location categories, with multiple adjustments. Findings Significant linear trends were observed for 2 emotional distress outcomes and 2 bullying victimization outcomes, with urban TGD students having the lowest rates and rural having the highest prevalences. Additional significant differences in emotional distress were noted, with unexpectedly high rates of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among suburban students. Conclusions Helping TGD adolescents in all types of locations identify resources and supportive professionals is critical to supporting this population.