Authors: Klepper, M., Bosse, J., Flores, D, D & Sanders, R.

Date of publication: 2024

Journal: Journal of Adolescent Health



Summary: This American review investigated Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) youths’ perception of sibling support as well as cisgender siblings lived experience of having a TNB sibling. The authors reviewed nine studies from the US, England and Australia and found that overall, cisgender siblings are generally supportive of their TNB siblings.



Cisgender siblings who were included in the transition (e.g helping choose a name) adapted faster to their sibling’s identity and the majority of TNB youth perceived an improvement in their sibling relationship following disclosure. Cisgender siblings were interested in being involved through the process and wanting to educate themselves to better support their TNB sibling.



A lack of formal support for siblings of TNB youth was identified and the authors found that they may be at higher risk for depression, anxiety and impaired self-esteem due to the behavioural, social and emotional changes associated with the environmental stressors that come with having a TNB sibling (e.g. increased medical appointments, changes to daily routine, the draw on the families social and financial resources).



You can read a summary only of the study here