Search Results (59)

This study examines how societal heteronormative norms influence interactions involving transgender individuals, offering insights into identity formation and mental health. Understanding how societal heteronormative norms shape interactions involving transgender individuals is crucial to the attainment of public health goals related to addressing societal barriers, such as stigma, and promoting mental health. Interviews were conducted at a university in the Southwest United States with 11 self-identified transgender individuals, focusing on three main questions: How do you feel when you interact with someone who does not conform to heteronormative gender roles? When you meet somebody who doesn’t conform to heteronormative gender roles does that cause you to question your own gender identity. Does your body have to match your gender identity? Directed content analysis revealed a divided phenomenon. While some participants experienced discomfort due to societal scrutiny, safety issues concerns, and heightened visibility, others found empowerment and validation in these interactions, affirming their identities and fostering a sense of belonging. Yet another finding pointed to the role of embodiment and lived experiences, highlighting contrasting views on body harmony congruence: some participants prioritized physical alignment for societal acceptance, while others valued internal authenticity over external validation. This underscores the tension between personal agency and societal expectations in shaping gender identity. The study contributes to transidentity-theoretical literature by addressing the diverse outcomes resulting from the copresence of discomfort versus empowerment, internalized stigma, and the interplay of self-perception with societal norms. Clinical implications point to the need for inclusive spaces, supportive interventions, and mental health resources to assist trans individuals in navigating these challenges. Full article

Background/Objectives: Implicit theories of thoughts, emotions, and behavior (TEB) describe beliefs that these attributes are either changeable (growth mindset) or unchangeable (fixed mindset). While the impact of mindsets on negative mental health indicators, such as psychopathological symptoms, is well-documented, their relations with positive indicators such as life satisfaction, particularly in the context of stress, remain underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by testing whether the association between adolescents’ implicit theories of TEB and life satisfaction is mediated by cognitive reappraisal and whether stressful life events moderated two paths within the mediation model. Methods: Participants were 620 high school students (49.5% female, 43.5% male, 5.8% gender-nonconforming, 1.1% undisclosed) aged 14 to 19 years (M = 17.51, SD = 1.23), who completed an online survey in Spring 2022, while the COVID-19 pandemic still significantly affected daily life. Mediation and moderated mediation models were tested using PROCESS macro in SPSS. Results: Mediation analysis revealed that growth mindset positively influenced life satisfaction both directly and indirectly through cognitive reappraisal. Stressful life events significantly moderated the direct effect of growth mindset on life satisfaction, with the positive direct effect diminishing as stress increased. Conclusions: The positive link between growth mindset and life satisfaction was strongest under lower stress and transmitted through cognitive reappraisal across stress levels. Given the cross-sectional design, findings should be interpreted as correlational, not causal. Future longitudinal research should clarify temporal directionality and reciprocal links among mindset, coping, and well-being to inform interventions that strengthen adaptive beliefs and regulation skills. Full article

This paper reexamines the contested categories of sex addiction and Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder (CSBD) through a feminist-critical synthesis of 63 peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024. Rather than treating these diagnoses as neutral clinical entities, the review situates them within broader systems of normative regulation, emphasizing how psychiatric discourse, cultural anxieties, and digital infrastructures converge to define sexual deviance. The analysis is organized around the following three themes: (1) clinical ambivalence, where blurred thresholds of disorder mirror the opaque judgments of algorithmic moderation; (2) moral panic, which persists less as episodic reaction than as a durable strategy of governance embedded in media and platform logics; and (3) the pathologization of margins, whereby diagnostic and digital regimes disproportionately target queer, racialized, and gender-nonconforming sexualities. The paper introduces the concept of digital moral regulation to describe how platform architectures extend older traditions of moral governance, embedding cultural judgments into technical systems of visibility and suppression. By reframing CSBD as part of this regulatory formation, the review underscores that debates over compulsive sexuality are not solely matters of diagnostic precision, but of power: who defines harm, whose desires are legitimized, and how infrastructures translate cultural unease into regimes of control. Full article

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are critical determinants of long-term psychological and physiological health outcomes. Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals are at increased risk for ACEs, including family rejection, peer victimization, and systemic discrimination. Despite the growing body of research on this topic, an updated synthesis of recent literature is needed to understand the evolving landscape of ACE-related risks and protective factors in TGNC populations. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, examined studies published between 2020 and 2024 that were related to the association between ACEs and mental health outcomes in TGNC individuals. A comprehensive database search yielded 6124 articles, 42 of which met the inclusion criteria. Data extraction focused on the type of ACEs reported, associated mental health outcomes, resilience factors, and clinical implications. The results showed that TGNC individuals are significantly more likely to experience childhood maltreatment, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, as well as transphobia-specific ACEs such as forced gender conformity and identity denial. These experiences are associated with an increased risk of depression, PTSD, suicidality, and substance use disorders. Family rejection was found to be a critical risk factor, while social support, gender-specific care, and self-efficacy showed protective effects. The reviewed studies emphasize the urgent need for trauma-informed and gender-affirming mental health interventions to mitigate the effects of ACEs on TGNC individuals. Limitations and future research directions are discussed. Full article

Proponents of Sexual Script Theory posit that men and women differ in their sexual behaviors/motivations, often due to culturally ingrained expectations. When these expectations are violated, individuals may face stigma, particularly in nontraditional contexts like mixed-sex threesomes (MSTs). This study examined gender differences in heterosexual adults’ anticipated stigma and willingness to accept various sexual offers, including dyadic and MST offers involving same- and other-sex partners, through the lens of the backlash effect (i.e., the anticipation of stigma for participating in sexual behaviors that contradict societal expectations). A total of 540 heterosexual U.S. adults read vignettes depicting hypothetical sexual invitations and completed measures assessing anticipated stigma and willingness to engage. Results revealed that men anticipated less stigma and were more willing to accept sexual offers than women. Participants also anticipated less stigma and reported greater willingness to accept other-sex dyadic offers as compared to same-sex or MST offers. However, men reported the highest anticipated stigma and lowest willingness for same-sex dyadic offers, suggesting a novel backlash effect against men engaging in gender non-conforming behaviors. These findings offer support for the persistence of the sexual double standard and provide evidence for gendered backlash effects, including those impacting heterosexual men. Full article

Sexual health is a vital aspect of overall well-being, yet individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face significant stigma and discrimination, affecting self-esteem, relationships, and sexual expression. This review examined the recent literature (2020–January 2024) on intimacy and sexuality among adolescents and young adults with ASD, incorporating 32 studies. Findings highlight poorer sexual health among autistic individuals compared to the general population, with difficulties in forming romantic relationships and navigating sexual interactions due to hypersensitivity. Autism is also linked to non-conforming gender identities and asexuality, exposing individuals to dual stigma within the LGBTQ+ community. Autism-related traits hinder sexual health knowledge, increasing risks of victimisation, abuse, and sexually transmitted infections. Comprehensive sexual education and inclusive support are crucial to address these challenges and promote sexual well-being for autistic individuals. Full article

Attitudes toward sexual and gender minority people is a generative field of study leading to theoretical and practical advances. Adding to this body of literature, we sought to investigate relationships between attitudes toward different sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) minority groups. University student participants (N = 495) were asked to rate 11 targets using a 101-point feeling thermometer scale. The targets included trans, bisexual, asexual, and polyamorous men and women, along with lesbians, gay men, and gender non-conforming persons. Heterosexual men and women targets were included for comparison. Analyses addressed two main question areas: (1) Were the various SOGI minority targets rated similarly/differently? (2) Do ratings of the targets differ as a function of target and participant demographic characteristics? Generally, SOGI ratings were favourable (78–85%) except for polyamorous targets (66%). While there were some statistically significant rating differences between some SOGI targets (e.g., lesbians were rated more favourably than asexual women; 85% versus 83%, respectively), data reduction analyses (i.e., Principal Components Analysis) with the 11 SOGI target ratings supported the possibility of aggregating attitudes into a single SOGI target group variable. The second research goal involved exploring whether ratings differed as a function of participant characteristics, including sexual orientation, gender, and religiosity. The analysis revealed that attitudes significantly differed based on all three participant factors. In general, those who rated the targets most favourably were those who were queer, women, or not-at-all religious. However, the SOGI target gender did not result in differences in target ratings (e.g., asexual women and asexual men were equal). The findings further the literature on attitudes toward various SOGI minorities, providing support for the theory that there is a latent factor underlying perceiver attitudes toward SOGI minorities and indicating a need to consider demographic characteristics of social perceivers. Full article

Objectives: Religiosity has generally been shown to be a protective factor against adverse mental health in the general population. Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals, however, may not experience the same protective effects, as many religions are unsupportive of diverse gender identities. This study examined whether increased religiosity and having been rejected by a religious community because of one’s gender identity were associated with mental health issues in TGNC individuals. Methods: A sample of TGNC adults (n = 154), predominantly from the United States, completed an online survey assessing these constructs. Results: These constructs were highly represented in the sample, with 46.1% of participants having experienced religious rejection at some point throughout their lifetime because of their gender identity, 40.3% currently experiencing symptoms of elevated depression and 34.4% of elevated anxiety, and 48.7% with suicidal ideation over the past 2 weeks. Religious rejection was associated with increased depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Neither interpersonal nor intrapersonal religiosity was associated in a bivariate way with any of the three mental health outcomes. However, among participants who experienced rejection by one’s religious community, interpersonal religiosity was strongly associated with increased depression symptoms and suicidal ideation, whereas conversely among TGNC individuals who had not experienced rejection by their religious community, interpersonal religiosity was weakly associated with depression and suicidal ideation. Conclusion: The results underscore the extremely harmful effects of religious rejection due to one’s gender identity on religious TGNC individuals, pointing to the active contributions of the behaviors of traditional religious groups towards TGNC mental health problems and suicide. Full article

The association between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and gender dysphoria (GD) has attracted a great deal of interest among child and adolescent psychiatrists in Japan. In clinical settings, it is common to hear complaints or concerns related to GD from adolescents with ASD. In the past few years, several review articles have been published on ASD and GD. The Initial Clinical Guidelines for co-occurring ASD and GD in adolescents were published in 2018, suggesting the increasing need of intervention for these conditions worldwide. Although a large amount of evidence has been accumulated regarding the co-occurrence of ASD and GD, all review articles were based solely on case reports and articles published in English. In this article, we performed a bilingual literature review using English- and Japanese-language literature databases. We found 13 case reports in English and 11 case reports in Japanese. The Japanese literature included articles on gender-related symptoms in ASD, but not limited to ASD with comorbid GD. Wattel and her colleagues proposed 15 theories on the link between ASD and GD. We classified the reported cases into one or more of the fifteen theories proposed by Wattel. These theories seemed useful in understanding the co-occurrence of ASD and GD, especially in AMAB cases. Wattel’s 15 theories are categorized into biological, psychological, and social factors, respectively. With regard to the social factors, we discussed Japanese school culture and psychological burden among gender-dysphoric students. Further studies are awaited. Full article

In this paper, we discuss qualitative findings drawn from a larger community-engaged project in a predominantly Black Midwestern city. Data collection for the project, which focused on the effects of policing on the city’s African American community, was carried out in collaboration with Black community organizations and an independent police oversight board. Using an intersectional queer politics lens, we present findings from a thematic analysis of field observations that focused on the city’s LGBTQI+ community. Major themes that emerged include the social context of Black LGBTQI+ oppression, the criminalization of the Black LGBTQI+ body, and mental health impact of policing experiences. Overall, we found that transgender and gender non-conforming experiences with police were particularly harmful. We conclude with insights into the strategies of resilience and resistance used by the community to navigate the impact police work has on their lived experience. Policy implications of our findings and the importance of queer politics to enable Black LGBTQI+ populations to access services and thrive, rather than survive are also addressed. Full article

Misgendering is a form of microaggression that reinforces gender binarism and involves the use of incorrect pronouns, names or gendered language when referring to a transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individual. Despite growing awareness, it remains a persistent form of discrimination, and it is crucial not only to understand and address misgendering but also to analyse its impact within online discourse towards the TGNC community. The present study examines misgendering directed at the TGNC community present on platform X. To achieve this, a representative sample of 400 tweets targeting two TGNC individuals is compiled, applying an annotation scheme to manually classify the polarity of each tweet and instances of misgendering, and then comparing the manual annotations with those of an automatic sentiment detection system. The analysis focuses on the context and frequency of intentional misgendering, using word lists to examine the data. The results confirm that misgendering perpetuates discrimination, tends to co-occur with other forms of aggression, and is not effectively identified by automatic sentiment detection systems. Finally, the study highlights the need for improved automatic detection systems to better identify and address misgendering in online discourse and provides potentially useful tools for future research. Full article

Through a social learning theoretical framework, this article seeks to understand how gender normativity is perpetuated, as well as how it results in the marginalization of transgender and gender-nonconforming (TGNC) youth. Additionally, ways in which TGNC youth navigate oppression and how discrimination against TGNC youth may be reduced through disruption of gender normativity are explored. Using qualitative methods, including the analysis of community meeting transcripts as well as town hall meetings with gender-diverse participants, the present study will answer the following research questions: (1) how do transgender and gender-nonconforming youth navigate discrimination and marginalization? (2) How can social learning theory be leveraged to disrupt gender normativity and reduce the discrimination, marginalization, and victimization of transgender and gender-nonconforming youth? This article aims to bridge the gap in the literature by expanding on research specifically pertaining to TGNC youth and directly addressing how social learning mechanisms can both perpetuate and mitigate gender-normative ideologies. Full article

The aim of this study is to identify autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) traits in adolescents who experience psychotic-like experiences (PLEs), often ignored in clinical practice but widely prevalent in the general population. A total of 57 adolescents and young adults (aged between 16 and 24 years old) were recruited consecutively in the outpatient services. A total of 37 were females (64.9%), 18 were males (31.6%), and two participants (3.5%) were non-binary or gender non-conforming, with a mean age at referral of 18.26 ± 2.06. To investigate these symptoms, three sets of standardized questionnaires were used, as follows: the Autism Spectrum Quotient–short form (AQ-10), the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE-42), and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). We found significant associations between the ASRS and AQ-10 total scores and all CAPE scales. The model which explained the highest variance was CAPE Score’s Total Frequency score (p < 0.001). Our findings underline the importance of investigating the presence of subthreshold ASD and ADHD symptoms in clinical populations, particularly in the period of adolescence and young adulthood, to promptly identify the presence of PLEs and, thus, prevent the onset of a frank psychotic disorder, particularly in the presence of a comorbid psychopathological condition, leading to better diagnosis and treatment for individuals with two or more of these conditions. Full article

Madeleine Lemaire (1845–1928) might appear to be a typical “woman artist” of the Belle Époque, a painter of images of fashionable women, equally popular for her watercolor flowers and her skills as a salon hostess, with biographical sketches of her then and now assuming that if she had sex or romance, it was with men. However, a closer look has also revealed Lemaire to be potentially atypical. Unlike her women colleagues, she exhibited salacious nudes; her work was once described as having “a bit of the mustache”; and she generally dodged discussions of either her gender or her sexuality, even though her social group included those who openly flaunted their own non-conformities. Using archival materials, artworks, and contemporary theory to unpack the possibilities presented by Lemaire’s case, I also explore the gains for art history in reconsidering previously female-identified and straight-seeming artists in more fluid gender and sexual terms. What might we discover if we recognize ourselves as the constructors of a cisheteronormative past, reading into the archives the assumptions that our current culture’s binary norms enforce? Full article

The majority of transgender and gender-nonconforming people (TGNC) report negative experiences with doctors in the healthcare system. As there is little knowledge about the communication behaviour of doctors towards TGNC, this survey aimed to assess the self-reported trans-inclusive communication of doctors and their willingness to communicate trans-inclusively, as well as their self-perceived barriers to it. A mixed-methods survey was applied for this. Firstly, we measured self-reported trans-inclusive communication behaviour based on the CommTrans questionnaire. Based on this, the overall willingness, as well as self-perceived barriers (qualitative) to communication, were assessed. In total, N = 57 doctors took part in the survey. Most participants reported not introducing themselves using pronouns (79.4%). Of these, 61.4% said that they would not be able to do this in the future either. Perceived barriers were classified into the following eight categories: necessity, sample-dependency, habit, structural barriers in practice, uncertainties in dealing with the topic, limits of patient-centredness, gender as a binary concept, and transphobia. In summary, doctors in Germany show different degrees of trans-inclusive communication. It is likely that this has a negative effect on TGNC, their health and access to the healthcare system. Full article