Treble or Trouble: Mental Health Experiences of Gender-Diverse Collegiate Marching Band Artists.

Abstract

For gender-diverse (GD) college marching band (MB) artists, the risks for anxiety and depression may be higher as they navigate the demands and stressors associated with MB, college, and their gender identity. To examine the risks of anxiety and depression across GD MB artists and to explore their barriers and attitudes toward seeking mental health (MH) care. Cross-sectional study. Online survey. Seventy-eight GD individuals (transgender = 12, nonbinary = 66, age = 19 ± 1 years). A survey was used to assess demographics, anxiety risk using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, depression risk using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and barriers and attitudes using the Barriers Towards Seeking Help Checklist, the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form, and the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale. We calculated descriptive statistics and univariate analyses to evaluate scores, risks, and differences between MH and receiving assistance. Participants had high state anxiety (mean = 52.0 ± 112.1), trait anxiety (mean = 55.2 ± 10.0), and symptoms of depression (mean = 30.4 ± 12.0) based on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Overall, 78.2% (n = 61 of 78) of GD MB artists were considered at risk for both state and trait anxiety and depression, and 18% (n = 11 of 61) did not seek help from an MH professional. These GD MB artists cited a lack of time (82.1%; n = 64 of 78) as the primary barrier to seeking professional help. The mean score on the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale-Short Form for all GD artists was 19.5 ± 5.0, and the total score for the Mental Help Seeking Attitudes Scale was 47.8 ± 9.2, which indicated more favorable attitudes toward seeking professional help. We identified high rates of clinical symptoms for depression and anxiety among GD MB artists. The data are consistent with those from other minority populations and above the normative values for cisgender students. The lack of help-seeking behaviors in nearly 15% of at-risk participants highlights the need for specialized resources for GD patients and those participating in MB.