Challenges in Providing Care for Parents of Transgender Youth during the Coronavirus Pandemic

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for many, increasing levels of anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns worldwide. With the spread of the virus, many youth found themselves physically isolated from their peers and confined to their homes, and medical and mental health services previously provided in person had to adapt by providing virtual sessions. The transition to virtual care created many new challenges for clinicians and patients, including some specific to transgender youth and their families. Pre-pandemic, transgender youth comprised a marginalized and vulnerable population, with elevated risk for adverse mental health outcomes. However, community support, strong group identification and family affirmation can serve as important mitigating factors. In this paper, we will discuss unique challenges encountered in working with the parents and caregivers of transgender youth during virtual visits that have the potential to interfere with development of a therapeutic alliance and the movement toward increased family acceptance. We will provide clinical case examples and propose methods through which to address difficulties and improve care.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgender youth
• COVID-19
• parenting gender diverse youth

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nathalie Szilagyi

N.M. Szilagyi, M.D., is a child and adolescent psychiatrist, Director of the Greenwich Center for Gender & Sexuality, and Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center.  Her clinical and research interests include the development of gender identity and sexuality, the impact of religion on development, and public policy to improve outreach to youth and families in rural areas.

Christy L. Olezeski

C.L. Olezeski, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist, Assistant Professor at the Yale School of Medicine and Director of the Yale Pediatric Gender Program.  Her clinical and research interests include the development of gender identity, caregiver support for TGE youth, sexual development, and the biological and behavioral correlates of trauma.