Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2025

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Understanding Family Support for Transgender Youth: Impact of Support on Psychosocial Functioning
Kerry McGregor1, Vinisha Rana1, John L McKenna1
1Boston Children's Hospital, Division of Endocrinology, Boston, Massachusetts; Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Purpose:
This study investigated the association between positive and negative family support and psychosocial outcomes among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed using psychological data collected from 175 TGD youth (aged 13-18 years) at time of hormone readiness assessment within a multispecialty gender clinic between May 2021 and February 2023. As part of this assessment process, TGD youth provided responses to a variety of measures, including the Youth Self-Report and the Family Environment Scale.
Results:
Negative family support scales were more strongly associated with more outcomes than positive support scales. The exclusion and abuse, viewing gender expression as morally wrong, and trying to change gender scales were each associated with significantly higher Youth Self-Report T-scores for internalizing problems (βs = 6.86, 6.26, 5.56, all p < .01), externalizing problems (βs = 4.58, 4.42, 4.19, all p < .02), and total problems (βs = 6.70, 6.45, 5.34, all p < .02). The explicit care and support scale was associated with significantly lower T-scores for externalizing problems (β = -3.54 p = .02) and total problems (β = -3.35, p = .04). Overall support was also associated with higher T-scores in internalizing problems (b = -2.90, p = .02), externalizing problems (β = -2.40, p = .03), and total problems (β = -2.79, p = .03).
Discussion:
Family support plays a critical role in the psychosocial wellbeing of TGD youth. TGD youth reporting positive family support reported fewer mental health concerns, less experiences of nonaffirmation, and lower levels of internalized transphobia. TGD youth reporting negative family support were found to have an increased risk of suicidal ideation.
More Related Videos
07:56Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
11:13The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
Related Concept Videos
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth....
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adolescence
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Family Therapy
Strategic Family Therapy
Strategic family therapy emphasizes resolving communication barriers and improving problem-solving abilities...