Symposia
LGBQT+
Laura C. Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Irene Andrade
student
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Elizabeth Wooten
student
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Elizabeth Jones
student
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Christine Wehner
student
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Allison Jones
student
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Laura C. Wilson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
University of Mary Washington
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Although research has shown that the heightened rates of mental health difficulties within transgender and gender diverse communities is a consequence of gender-based discrimination, harassment and violence (i.e., distal stressors), less is known about the mechanisms that convey that risk. Furthermore, the literature has disproportionately focused on psychopathology without considering other mental health outcomes, such as posttraumatic growth (PTG). The present study tested the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience model (Testa et al. 2015) in relation to PTG among transgender participants. Prolific was used to obtain 292 transgender participants (mean age = 25.69, SD = 7.26; 82.5% White) who completed an online survey consisting of the Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure (Testa et al., 2015) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short (Cann et al., 2010). The findings demonstrated a significant indirect effect (ab = -0.21, 95% CI [-0.31, -0.12]), such that individuals who experienced greater distal stressors reported greater proximal stressors, which was associated with lower PTG. The index of moderated mediation was not significant (B = 0.04, SE = .04, 95% CI [-0.04, 0.11]), meaning that resiliency did not impact the magnitude of the indirect effect. The conditional direct effect between distal stressors and PTG was significant (B = 0.16, SE = 0.06, 95% CI [0.04, 0.27]). Specifically, at low resiliency, distal stressors were significantly related to PTG (B = -0.24, SE = 0.08, p = 0.006). Conversely, at moderate (B = -0.08, SE = 0.07, p = 0.217) and high (B = 0.07, SE = 0.09, p = 0.464) resiliency, distal stressors and PTG were not related. Overall, proximal stressors, including internalized transphobia, negative expectations about the future, and identity concealment, helped explain the relationship between distal stressors and PTG within the transgender sample. Furthermore, distal stressors were directly associated with PTG, but only at low levels of resiliency. During the presentation, we discuss how these findings help explain mental health disparities within marginalized communities, including individuals who identify as transgender or gender non-conforming. We will also discuss how these types of empirical findings on risk mechanisms relate to the larger literature base on whether or not empirically supported trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapies are appropriate for meeting the needs of transgender and gender diverse communities.