Citation

Durbeej N, Abrahamsson N, Papadopoulos FC, Beijer K, Salari R, Sarkadi A. Scand. J. Public Health 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Child Health and Parenting (CHAP), Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Associations of Public Health in the Nordic Countries Regions, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1403494819890994

PMID

31868564

Abstract

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the role of self-reported non-binary gender identity in mental health problems, school adjustment, and wish to exert influence on municipal issues in a community sample of adolescents. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, data were collected through an anonymous survey in Uppsala County, Sweden, among 8385 students (response rate 58.2%) in grades 7, 9, and 11, aged 13-17 years. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) self-report was used to assess mental health problems. Gender identity was measured with one item and youth were categorized into those who identified as male or female (i.e. binary youth), and those who did or could not identify with either gender (i.e. non-binary youth). Logistic regressions and qualitative content analysis were used to analyse data. Results: Youth with non-binary gender identity (n = 137; 1.6%) had higher odds of having mental problems according to the SDQ total score (OR=3.05; 1.77-5.25). The association between non-binary gender identity and mental health problems remained significant after adjusting for confounders. Additionally, compared to their binary peers, the non-binary youth reported more truancy (36.5% vs 49.6%), more often failed a subject (21.5% vs 36.5%), and were more interested in exerting influence on municipal issues such as sociopolitical development, education, municipal services, and drug and alcohol policies (25.3% vs 38.0%). Conclusions: Youth with non-binary gender identity constitute a vulnerable population regarding mental health problems and school adjustment. The willingness to exert influence on municipal issues suggests a possible pathway to engagement.

Language: en

Keywords

Transgender; adolescents; mental health problems; non-binary gender; school adjustment