Stigma, Resilience, and Health Care Use Among Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth in the United States

Tamar Goldenberg , University of Michigan School of Public Health
Gary Harper, University of Michigan
Kahle Erin, University of Michigan
Kristi Gamarel, University of Michigan
Sari Reisner, Harvard University
Rob Stephenson, University of Michigan

In the United States, transphobic stigma simultaneously contributes to poor health outcomes and healthcare access among transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) youth. Some research finds that stigma within healthcare settings contributes to access to care; however, little is known about how experiences of stigma and resilience more broadly (including experiences outside of healthcare settings) shape healthcare access for TGGD youth. Building on minority stress theory, this study examines data from a national sample of 202 TGGD youth ages 15-24. Exploratory factor analysis and multivariate logistic regression are used to examine the relationships between interpersonal stigma (discrimination, victimization, rejection, mis-gendering), intrapersonal stigma (internalized transphobia, anticipated stigma), resilience (community connectedness, social support, self-affirmation), and healthcare access. Results indicate that interpersonal and intrapersonal stigma are associated with reduced access to healthcare and resilience is associated with increased access. These findings can inform interventions aimed at improving healthcare access for TGGD youth.

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 Presented in Session 9. Marriage, Family, Households, & Unions; Gender, Race, & Ethnicity