Responses to the gender minority stress and resilience scales among transgender and nonbinary youth. Issue 2 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chavanduka, Tanaka M. D.; Gamarel, Kristi E.; Todd, Kieran P.; Stephenson, Rob
• Is Part Of: Journal of LGBT youth. Volume 18:Issue 2(2021)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 154
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Transgender -- youth -- gender diverse -- resilience -- assessment; Sexual minority youth -- Periodicals; Sexual minority youth -- Education -- Periodicals; 306.76083505
• DOI: 10.1080/19361653.2020.1719257
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1936-1653

Abstract

Abstract: Stress arising from the experience of stigma and discrimination around gender identity is known to negatively influence health outcomes for transgender individuals. The Gender Minority Stress and Resilience (GMSR) scale is a validated tool for measuring experiences of minority stress and resilience among transgender individuals. This paper seeks to examine whether there are differences in how youth respond to the GMSR scale. Using data from a sample of 202 transgender and gender nonbinary youth collected online, this analysis compares responses to the GMSR scale between transgender youth with binary and nonbinary gender identities. While reports of non-affirmation were generally high ( M = 15.02), and community connectedness for all participants was generally low ( M = 7.5), there were no significant differences to scale responses across gender identity. Nonbinary assigned male at birth (AMAB) reported greater rates of threats of physical violence due to gender identity or expression. Nonbinary assigned female at birth (AFAB) reported greater rates of feeling unique in their gender identity or expression. This preliminary analysis suggests that the GMSR scale is a useful tool, however, further research is needed to understand stress and resilience among transgender and gender nonbinary youth and developing specific measures that capture their experience.