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Primary Submission Category: LGBTQ+
Family Use of Adolescents’ Gender Pronouns and Subsequent Mental Health Among LGBTQ+ Youth
Authors: Evan Krueger,
Presenting Author: Evan Krueger*
Background: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth experience mental health disparities. While personal identity and pronoun use may shape exposure to risk, disparities are often driven by others’ recognition and treatment of LGBTQ+ youth (e.g., stigma, bullying, rejection). Affirmation from others (e.g., though use of adolescents’ preferred pronouns) is a modifiable social and relational determinant of LGBTQ+ youth mental health.
Methods: Data were drawn from LGBTQ+ youth in a longitudinal school-based survey of diverse adolescents in Southern California (N = 879). Two waves of data (Spring 2023 and Spring 2024) were analyzed when students were in grades 10–11 and 11–12, respectively. Correct pronoun use by “most” or “all” (vs. “some” or “none”) family members was estimated, and associations with adolescents’ perceived safety in discussing mental health with parents or guardians were assessed. Logistic regressions tested associations between family members’ correct use of adolescents’ gender pronouns at baseline and subsequent generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) one year later (Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale), controlling for baseline mental health.
Results: At baseline, most adolescents (84.7%) reported that “most” or “all” family members used their correct pronouns. Adolescents who reported correct pronoun use (vs. those who did not) were more likely to feel safe discussing mental health with parents or guardians (29.5% vs. 14.6%; p = 0.001). Correct pronoun use at baseline was associated with lower odds of GAD (OR = 0.52; 95% CI = 0.28, 0.99; p = 0.048) and MDD (OR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.27, 0.77; p = 0.003) one year later.
Conclusion: Correct use of adolescents’ pronouns by family members is associated with improved mental health among LGBTQ+ youth. Supporting families in affirming youths’ gender identities, including through correct pronoun use, may represent an important intervention target.