Autism Features and Minority Stress in Gender Diverse Adolescents
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring Autism Features and Minority Stress in Young People with Gender Dysphoria: Considering Hormone Treatment
IRAS ID
272998
Contact name
Harley Caswell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Institute of Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 7 days
Research summary
Research in the UK found 54.2% of adolescents accessing a gender identity development service (GIDS) exhibited mild-severe autism traits (Skaagerberg, Di Ceglie & Carmichael, 2015). It is unknown why there are higher reported autism traits in gender-diverse individuals compared to the general population. Turban (2018) hypothesises this autism presentation may be quasi-autism: individuals present like those with autism; however, this may be due to the impact of social deprivation experienced because of one’s gender diversity (e.g. bullying, family rejection). This is supported by Meyer’s (2003) minority stress model, which highlights additional stress experienced by people part of stigmatised minority groups.
Medical treatments affirming adolescents’ identified gender can reportedly help lower levels of distress (de Vries, McGuire, Steensma, Wagenaar, Doreleijers & Cohen-Kettenis, 2014). GIDS offers a staged approach to accessing physical interventions. If appropriate, adolescents may be offered physically reversible interventions (hormone-blockers) and then partially reversible interventions (cross-sex hormones) for those aged 16+ who have had hormone-blockers for around 12 months.
This study aims to explore the relationship between minority stress and autism features in gender diverse adolescents attending GIDS, and how this may differ between adolescents accessing hormone treatments (hormone blockers or cross-sex hormones) and those not accessing hormone treatments. This will help further understand this phenomenon and how best to assess and support gender diverse adolescents.
Features of autism will be assessed at two time points, using parent-report questionnaires, to explore possible changes over time. Self-report measures of minority stress will only be collected at the second time point. Clinicians will identify young people aged 11+, who have completed their assessment questionnaires (Time-1) and attended GIDS for at least 6 months (Time-2; to allow considering and commencing hormone treatments). If accessing hormone treatments, this must be through GIDS. Clinicians will invite participants they deem as appropriate to participate.
REC name
Wales REC 1
REC reference
20/WA/0045
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion