Predictors of psychological well-being among treatment seeking transgender individuals

ABSTRACT

Research has yet to identify specific predictors of poor psychological well-being and quality of life in transgender people. This study aimed first to explore the predictive value of five factors known to be associated with poor psychological well-being in cis- and transgender people; age, self-esteem, victimisation, interpersonal problems, and body dissatisfaction. Second, to investigate the mediatory role of self-esteem and social support. Two hundred and eight participants (104 transgender and 104 cisgender controls), matched by age and gender, completed measures of these predictor variables, along with general psychopathology and functional quality of life. The results indicate that in the transgender group, greater psychopathology and greater depression were predicted by younger age (psychopathology only), lower self-esteem, greater body dissatisfaction, and greater interpersonal problems. In the cisgender group, only lower self-esteem and greater interpersonal problems were significant predictors of these factors. For quality of life, lower self-esteem and greater interpersonal problems were significant predictors of low quality of life in both groups. Self-esteem but not social support mediated the above relationships. Overall, self-esteem and interpersonal problems appear to be crucial factors that influence well-being. Those providing treatment to transgender people should pay more attention to these areas.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgender
• gender dysphoria
• well-being
• quality of life
• psychopathology

Disclosure statement

There are no financial or other relationships that might lead to conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Walter Pierre Bouman

Dr Walter Pierre Bouman is a consultant psychiatrist/sexologist and Head of Service at the Nottingham National Center for Gender Dysphoria in the UK. He trained as a doctor and as a psychiatrist in the Netherlands and received an MSc in sexology from the Porterbrook Clinic/Sheffield Hallam University, UK, and an MA in medical ethics and law from Keele University, UK.

Amanda Davey

Dr Amanda Davey is a psychologist who completed her PhD at Loughborough University, UK, in the field of gender dysphoria.

Caroline Meyer

Prof. Caroline Meyer is a non-clinical psychologist and professor of digital health care at the Institute of Digital Healthcare, University of Warwick, UK.

Gemma L. Witcomb

Dr Gemma Witcomb is a lecturer in psychology at Loughborough University.

Jon Arcelus

Prof. Jon Arcelus is a consultant psychiatrist and honorary professor at Nottingham University, Nottingham, UK. He works clinically at the Nottingham National Centre for Gender Dysphoria. He trained as a doctor in Spain and as a psychiatrist in the United Kingdom. He received an MSc from the Porterbrook Clinic/Sheffield Hallam University, UK, and a PhD from Leicester University, UK.