The Role of Family Support and Outness to Family in Depression Severity of Gender Minority Youth

Paglisotti, Taylor (2020) The Role of Family Support and Outness to Family in Depression Severity of Gender Minority Youth. Master Essay, University of Pittsburgh.

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Abstract

Introduction: Estimates of gender minority youth (GMY) in the US continue to increase, and studies show severe disparities in depression diagnoses and severity among GMY (as compared to cisgender youth). Recent research has identified associations between increased family support and lower depression severity among GMY. However, no studies have examined the role of outness to families in depression severity. This study aims to examine associations between family support and depression severity, outness to family and depression severity, as well as the potential effect modification of outness to family on associations between family support and depression severity among GMY.
Methods: Data came from the baseline survey of a convenience sample of GMY and cisgender sexual minority youth (SMY) who participated in a two-arm RCT. Generalized linear models (GLMs) adjusting for race/ethnicity, parent education, and sexual identity assessed differences in family support, outness to family, and depression severity among GMY and cisgender SMY. Among GMY only, GLMs adjusting for the same covariates examined associations between family support and depression severity, outness to family and depression severity, and the interaction of outness to family on associations between family support and depression severity.
Results: Of 240 participating youth, 118 were GMY. GMY had lower levels of outness to family regarding gender identity and higher depression severity than cisgender SMY (ß[95% CI]: -1.86 [-2.26, -1.46] and 3.54 [1.50, 5.57], respectively). Among GMY only, increased family support was associated with lower depression severity (-1.61 [-2.46, -0.76]). Outness to family was not associated with depression severity, and associations between family support and depression severity did not differ by outness to family.
Discussion: This study corroborates the results of other recent studies showing associations between family support and depression severity among GMY. Further research is needed to identify intermediate factors on the pathway between family support and depression severity. Future studies should also measure aspects of family support specific to gender minorities and assess differences in the association of gender-affirming family support and depression severity by outness to family. Such studies will elucidate the etiology of mental health disparities among GMY, a significant public health concern.

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Details

Item Type:	Other Thesis, Dissertation, or Long Paper (Master Essay)
Status:	Unpublished
Creators/Authors:	Creators Email Pitt Username ORCID Paglisotti, Taylor tap62@pitt.edu tap62
Contributors:	Contribution Contributors Name Email Pitt Username ORCID Committee Chair Glynn, Nancy glynnn@edc.pitt.edu UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Committee Member Coulter, Robert robert.ws.coulter@pitt.edu UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Committee Member Egan, James jee48@pitt.edu UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
Date:	29 April 2020
Date Type:	Submission
Number of Pages:	39
Institution:	University of Pittsburgh
Schools and Programs:	School of Public Health > Epidemiology
Degree:	MPH - Master of Public Health
Thesis Type:	Master Essay
Refereed:	Yes
Date Deposited:	02 Sep 2020 16:34
Last Modified:	01 May 2022 05:15
URI:	http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/38842

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• The Role of Family Support and Outness to Family in Depression Severity of Gender Minority Youth. (deposited 02 Sep 2020 16:34) [Currently Displayed]

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