Differences in Clinical Profiles of Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents Compared to Cis-gender Adolescents Attending a Tertiary Mental Health Clinic

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health concerns compared to cisgender adolescents. This paper compares the clinical and psychosocial risk profiles of TGD and cisgender adolescents seeking treatment for mental health concerns. Data was obtained from adolescents waiting for psychiatric care (age 12–17; N = 1362). Severity of mental disorder symptoms, substance use, self-harm, suicidal ideation, trauma experiences, and daily functioning were compared. TGD adolescents experienced significantly more symptoms of depression, anxiety and ADHD, self-harm, suicidal ideation and attempts and trauma experiences than cisgender peers. This data replicates previous findings that TGD adolescents experience greater psychopathology and psychosocial stressors than cisgender peers adding findings from a treatment seeking sample.