Authors: Olsavsky, A. L., Grannis, C., Bricker, J., Chelvakumar, G., Indyk, J. A., Leibowitz, S. F., Mattson, W. I., Nelson, E. E., Stanek, C. J., & Nahata, L.
Date of publication: 2023
Journal: Journal of Adolescent Health

Summary: This US study looked at the relationships between the use of gender-affirming hormonal interventions (i.e., puberty blockers, testosterone, estrogen), as well as family and friend social support, on gender diverse teenagers’ reports of their mental health. 75 young people aged between 11 to 18 years who were accessing care from a gender-affirming clinic completed surveys about their anxiety and depression symptoms, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. They also rated their level of support from their family, friends and other significant people. 52% of the participants were receiving gender-affirming hormonal interventions. The researchers found that using hormonal interventions was associated with less anxiety and depressive symptoms, family support was associated with less depressive symptoms and less self-harm, and friend support was associated with less anxiety symptoms and less suicidal thoughts. When young people were using gender-affirming hormonal interventions and having greater support from family and friends they had the better mental health outcomes of the group.

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Authors: Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., Horton, R., Gallagher, N. M., & Devor, A.
Date of publication: 2022
Journal: Pediatrics

Summary: This US study investigated the rate of retransition (i.e. changing gender identification) and current gender identity amongst 317 children and young people who identified as gender diverse. The participants were on average just over 8 years of age and had socially transitioned (i.e. changed their gender expression, such as name, hairstyle, clothing etc to better match their gender identity) an average of 5 years ago. The researchers found that an average of 5 years after their initial social transition, 94% identified as a binary trans person, 2.5% had reverted to identifying as cisgender (ie feeling their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth), and 3.5% had moved from identifying as a binary trans identity to identifying as non-binary. They also found it was more common (7.3%) for children to shift in their sense of gender identity over time rather than stop identifying as gender diverse altogether. The researchers concluded that retransitions are infrequent but clinicians and families should be aware that it can happen.

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Authors: Katz-Wise, S. L., Gordon, A. R., Sharp, K. J., Johnson, N., & Hart, L. M.
Date of publication: 2021
Publisher: Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital (U.S.)

Summary: These guidelines were created to help parents and other caregivers of young children better understand gender identity and expression in early childhood. The consensus-based guidelines were developed by 93 expert panellists including gender diverse adults, parents and caregivers of gender diverse children, and clinical and/or academic leaders in the field.

You can access the full guidelines here

Authors: Turban, J. L., King, D., Carswell, J. M., & Keuroghlian, A. S.
Date of publication: 2020
Journal: Pediatrics

Summary: This US study examined the association between access to hormones for suppression of puberty during the teenage years and adult mental health outcomes. The researchers asked 20,619 gender diverse adults aged 18 to 36 years whether they had accessed treatment to suppress puberty as teenagers and also asked them to report on their current mental health such as their levels of psychological distress and substance use and history of suicidal thoughts and attempts. They also ruled out other factors that may impact on mental health such as level of family support, age, race, gender identity and education level. The researchers found that those who received treatment with pubertal suppression, when compared with those who wanted it but did not receive it, had lower odds of past-year suicidal thoughts, lifetime suicidal thoughts, and past-month severe psychological distress. The researchers concluded that pubertal suppression for gender diverse teenagers who want this treatment is associated with favourable mental health outcomes.

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Authors: Wiepjes, C. M., Nota, N. M., de Blok, C. J. M., Klaver, M., de Vries, A. L. C., Wensing-Kruger, S. A., de Jongh, R. T., Bouman, M. B., Steensma, T. D., Cohen-Kettenis, P., Gooren, L. J. G., Kreukels, B. P. C., & den Heijer, M.
Date of publication: 2018
Journal: The journal of Sexual Medicine

Summary: This study in the Netherlands investigated current rates of gender dysphoria, how frequently gender-affirming treatments were performed, and how many people regretted having treatment by reviewing 6,793 patients’ medical files. This study was conducted in the largest Dutch gender identity clinic, which treats more than 95% of the gender diverse population in the Netherlands. The number of people seeking professional support increased dramatically over recent decades. Of note, of those adults who had gender-affirming surgery, 0.6% of transwomen and 0.3% of transmen were identified as experiencing regret. Of 812 teenagers accessing hormones for puberty suppression, 1.9% chose to discontinue this treatment and to not proceed with further gender-affirming treatment.

You can read a summary of the study only here