Mental health changes in partners of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals as a result of partner gender transition: What about me?

Abstract

Purpose Research on the psychosocial impact of gender transitioning on partners of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals is scarce in the literature. Here, we assessed mental health in partners of TGNC individuals. Methods Anonymous surveys were administered via Amazon Mturk. Eligible participants were ≥ 18 years with a partner who transitioned genders. Relationship satisfaction and mental health were assessed via perceived changes, Personal Health Questionnaire Depression Scale (PHQ-8), General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Self-Esteem and Relationship Questionnaire (SEAR), Resilience Scale, and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-5). Multivariable linear regression assessed associations between relationship satisfaction and type of partner transitioning. Results Of the 337 study respondents, 42.4% were assigned male, 57.6% assigned female (43.9% identify as male; 55.8% as female) and 1.76% nonbinary, with a mean age of 35.8. 44.4% had partners who are transgender women, while a third (36.8%) had partners who are transgender men, 7.7% from assigned male to nonbinary, and 11.2% from assigned female to nonbinary. Most (72.4%) partners underwent surgical transitioning (15.1% top surgery; 5.6% bottom; 51.6% both) versus 27.6% non-surgical transitioning. PHQ-8, SEAR, confidence, self-esteem, relationship satisfaction, and resilience scores were higher among respondents whose partners underwent surgical transitioning (p < 0.001). SEAR scores differed significantly among participants whose partners underwent top only versus bottom only surgery (p = 0.004). Conclusion Partner mental health and relationship satisfaction were most impacted by surgical transitioning of their TGNC partner. Supportive services for partners of TGNC individuals during the transition process to protect these romantic relationships should be considered.