Methods
Recruitment information with a link to a 90-question survey, consisting of multiple-choice, Likert-type and open-ended questions, was placed on three websites where parents had reported rapid onsets of gender dysphoria. Data was collected anonymously via SurveyMonkey.
Results
There were 164 parent-completed surveys that met study criteria. Respondents were female (93.2%), White (93.9%), non-Hispanic (98.0%), 30-60 years old (95.7%), and from the US (71.8%). Most parents (87.7%) answered that they believe transgender people deserve the same rights and protections as other individuals. Adolescents/Young Adults (AYAs) were predominantly female sex at birth (84.8%) and 15.1 years old (average) when they announced they were transgender. In the majority of cases, AYA mental well-being (MWB) and parent-child relationships (PCR) were rated as worse since the child announced that they were transgender (MWB worse 51.2%, better 13.6%; PCR worse 58.6%, better 8.6%). These indicators continued to degrade over time: At 2 or more years post-announcement, MWB was worse for 57.0% (better for 5.0%) and PCR was worse for 75.7% (better for 0%). This finding contrasts with existing research where 61% of transgender adults describe improved family relationships after coming out. Although the expected prevalence rate for transgender young adults is 0.7%, 38.8% of the friend groups described, had more than 50% of the pre-existing friend group becoming transgender. On average, 3.5 friends per group became gender dysphoric. Where friend group activities were known, 63.7% of friend groups mocked people who were not transgender or LGBTQ. Where popularity status was known, 64.2% of adolescents had an increase in popularity within the friend group after announcing they were transgender. AYAs received online advice that if they didn’t transition immediately they’d never be happy (31.7%) and that parents who didn’t agree to take them for hormones are abusive and transphobic (37.3%). AYAs expressed distrust of people who are not transgender (24.7%); stopped spending time with non-transgender friends (25.3%); withdrew from their families (46.5%), and expressed that they only trust information about gender dysphoria that comes from transgender sources (53.1%).
Conclusions
Rapid onset of gender dysphoria that occurs in the context of peer group and online influences may represent an entity that is distinct from the gender dysphoria observed in individuals who have previously been described as transgender. The worsening of mental well-being and parent-child relationships, peer group dynamics, and behaviors that isolate teens from their parents, families, non-transgender friends and mainstream sources of information are particularly concerning. More research is needed to better understand this phenomenon, its implications and scope.
Sources of Support
None.