New research from Virginia Commonwealth University published in the journal APA PsycNet indicates that legislation impacting transgender and gender-diverse individuals may lead to significant psychological distress, even for those living in states that have supportive laws. The study reveals that anxiety surrounding anti-transgender laws can contribute to psychological distress beyond the effects of personal experiences of discrimination.
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Catherine Wall, Ph.D., an assistant professor of psychology and the study’s lead author, stated, "We found that above and beyond everything else in the model, including active experiences of discrimination, that anti-trans legislation anxiety was driving psychological distress."
Since 2020, over 2,000 proposed laws at both state and federal levels have discriminated against transgender individuals, limiting access to essential services such as healthcare, public facilities, and sports. The study analyzed survey data from 346 transgender and gender-diverse adults collected in early 2024, assessing elements like anxiety towards anti-trans legislation, personal experiences of discrimination, and levels of social support.
Quantitative analysis revealed a strong link between psychological distress and anxiety about anti-transgender legislation, as well as a moderate connection between news anxiety and exposure to related news. The research also highlighted that lower levels of community and familial support correlate with higher psychological distress.
Interestingly, both familial and community support significantly relate to psychological well-being, suggesting that friendships and community ties can be as impactful as family support for mental wellness among transgender individuals.
Wall emphasized the need to address not only the challenges faced by the transgender community but also their strengths and resilient factors. The qualitative findings from survey responses illustrated participant fears around accessing gender-affirming care and concerns about discrimination and safety due to rising anti-trans legislation.
Participants expressed that living in a state with protective laws did not necessarily equate to lower psychological distress, possibly influenced by a perceived national threat to transgender rights. Many indicated intentions to leave states with harsher laws or expressed fear about visiting vulnerable areas. This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety concerning their safety and existence as individuals who identify as transgender.
Wall concluded that while individual support systems play a crucial role in the mental health of transgender people, systemic change is essential: "It’s not going to be enough in the long term to just focus on that individual-level resiliency factor." This underscores the urgent need for societal solutions to combat the mental health effects of anti-transgender legislation.