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Mental health assessment of transgender youth - Should standardised psychological measures be scored by norms of birth-registered sex?

Standardised psychometric measures are used in mental health care and research settings to identify risk, assist diagnosis, and assess symptom severity. Standardised scoring of these measures involves transforming respondents' raw scores using binary sex norms. However, scoring manuals offer no guidance as to appropriate scoring methods for trans and non-binary respondents.

Barriers and facilitators to mental health care access and engagement for LGBTQA+ people with psychosis: A scoping review

LGBTQA+ individuals are at increased risk of experiencing psychosis and face barriers in accessing appropriate and timely mental health support. This scoping review maps the existing literature to identify barriers and facilitators to access and engagement to care for LGBTQA+ people across the psychosis spectrum. 

Affirming schools, population-level data, and holistic public health are key to addressing mental ill-health and substance use disparities among gender and sexuality diverse young people

Yael Perry BPsych (Hons) MPsych (Clin) PhD Head, Youth Mental Health 08 6319 1298 yael.perry@thekids.org.au Head, Youth Mental Health @yaelperry she/

Plasma testosterone concentration is correlated with circulating immune cell abundance in transgender young people on gender-affirming hormone treatment

Sex hormones, such as oestrogen and testosterone, display significant immune modulatory properties. This is highly relevant for transgender (trans) people who undergo gender-affirming hormone (GAH) treatment. However, only a limited number of studies have evaluated the immunological impact of GAH treatments, and almost none have assessed the impact in trans young people.

Twenty-five is not a neurobiologically determined age of maturity for gender-affirming medical decision-making

Among the increasing threats to the healthcare of transgender and gender-diverse people globally, are efforts to deny gender-affirming medical care to people under age 25 typically justified by stating that the human brain is not developed until the mid-to-late 20's. Thus, this line of reasoning states young adults are not sufficiently mature to be responsible for autonomous healthcare decision-making— at least in regard to gender-affirming care.

Prevalence, distribution, and inequitable co-occurrence of mental ill-health and substance use among gender and sexuality diverse young people in Australia: epidemiological findings from a population-based cohort study

To estimate the prevalence, distribution, and co-occurrence of mental ill-health and substance use among gender and sexuality diverse young people relative to their cisgender and heterosexual peers in Australia using population-level, nationally representative data.

An Exploration of LGBTQA+ Young People’s Coping Strategies When Navigating Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

LGBTQA+ young people experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors at a much greater rate than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This study explored firsthand accounts of the coping strategies employed by LGBTQA+ young people when experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

A critical discussion of pediatric gender measures to clarify the utility and purpose of “measuring” gender

Pediatric gender clinics and researchers commonly use scales to measure different dimensions of gender (e.g. identity, dysphoria, satisfaction). There has been little investigation into the relevance and consumer acceptability of these scales within contemporary understandings and experiences of gender. 

Co-Development and Validation of a Patient-Reported Experience Measure for Trans and Gender Diverse Young People: A Multi-Stage Participatory Study Protocol

Trans and gender diverse (trans) young people experience higher rates of physical and mental ill-health due to chronic exposure to gender minority stress. Consequently, trans young people report higher health and mental healthcare service utilisation. Disconcertingly, negative experiences of healthcare services are prevalent among trans young people, especially those with additional marginalised identities and backgrounds who experience multiple forms of marginalisation.

Transforming families: evaluation of a digital resource to enhance parental support for trans children

Parental support is a critical protective factor for trans and gender diverse children, yet many parents lack access to trustworthy, evidence-based information. The Transforming Families project aimed to address this gap by co-designing a digital resource to enhance parental understanding, support, and acceptance.