Mental health of transgender children and adolescents: a systematic review

Abstract

Introduction: Studies on the mental health of transgender children and adolescents express high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. It is important to highlight that this is probably due to the minority stress with which these individuals deal since the infrastructures and social policies are designed to treat and welcome cisgenders, based on a normative character. This configuration is associated with a long and past history, of continuous prejudice, stigmatization, and discrimination, conflicts between appearance and gender identity, and rejection in social and family environments. All of these factors contribute decisively to the serious psychiatric morbidity perceived in this population. Objective: The present article aims to identify the relevant aspects of the mental health of transgender children and adolescents and explore other factors associated with the reduction of psychopathological disorders in this population. Methods: A systematic review of the scientific literature was conducted in the PubMed and Virtual Health Library indexed databases, using the descriptors "mental health", "transgender persons" and "children" with the Boolean operator AND. Studies discussing the subject, published between 2010 and 2020 in all available languages, were included, and those that did not meet the criteria were excluded. The survey and screening were carried out in parallel by three researchers, disclosing in the selection of 56 articles. Results: The studies indicated a higher frequency of psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, ideation and suicide, self-harm, low self-esteem, substance abuse, and other risk behaviors in the studied population when compared to the rest of the population. The studies also presented other aspects related to the mental health, such as the importance of family support, social transition, and institutional, medical, and psychological support. Conclusion: The evidence presents the challenges faced by this population in their needs and assured rights, culminating in the developing or worsening of psychological disorders.