Validade e fidedignidade de um protocolo para avaliar o estresse de minoria em pessoas trans e diversidade de gênero / Validity and fidedignity of a protocol to evaluate minority stress in trans and gender people

O modelo do Estresse de Minoria (EM) propõe uma explicação de como estressores relacionados ao preconceito levam pessoas lésbicas, gays e bissexuais (LGB) a terem piores desfechos negativos de saúde mental do que pessoas heterossexuais. Os componentes básicos do EM são o preconceito internalizado, preconceito antecipado e preconceito experienciado. O modelo do EM foi desenvolvido primeiramente no campo da sexualidade e hoje tem sido também aplicado no contexto da diversidade de gênero. Ainda não há instrumentos adaptados para sua avaliação no contexto da diversidade de gênero no Brasil. Para esse fim, este estudo objetiva a adaptação transcultural e a investigação de evidências de validade para o contexto brasileiro do "Protocolo para Avaliação do EM em pessoas trans e diversidade de gênero" (PEM-TD-BR). Participaram 455 indivíduos cuja identidade de gênero discordava daquela designada ao nascimento. As análises fatoriais exploratórias e confirmatórias sugerem a estrutura de três fatores do PEM-TD-BR como a mais adequada, fornecendo evidências de validade e fidedignidade para o protocolo no contexto brasileiro.

The Minority Stress (MS) model explains how prejudice-related stressors lead lesbian, gay, and bisexual people (LGB) to have worse negative mental health outcomes compared to heterosexuals. The basic components of MS are internalized prejudice, anticipated prejudice, and experienced prejudice. MS model was first developed in the field of sexuality and is now also applied in the context of gender diversity. There are still no adapted tools for its assessment in the context of gender diversity in Brazil. To this end, this study aims at the cross-cultural adaptation and production of validity evidence for the Brazilian context of a protocol for the "assessment of MS in transgender and gender diverse people" (PEM-TD-BR). It included 455 participants whose current gender identity disagreed with that assigned at birth. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyzes suggest the three-factor structure of the PEM-TD-BR as the most appropriate and provide evidence for the validity and reliability for the protocol in the Brazilian context.

A speech therapy for transgender women: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We systematically reviewed the literature and performed a meta-analysis on the effects of speech therapy and phonosurgery, for transgender women, in relation to the fundamental frequency gain of the voice, regarding the type of vocal sample collected, and we compared the effectiveness of the treatments. In addition, the study design, year, country, types of techniques used, total therapy time, and vocal assessment protocols were analyzed. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Lilacs, and SciELO databases for observational studies and clinical trials, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, between January 2010 and January 2023. The selection of studies was carried out according to Prisma 2020. The quality of selected studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Of 493 studies, 31 were deemed potentially eligible and retrieved for full-text review and 16 were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Six studies performed speech therapy and ten studies phonosurgery. The speech therapy time did not influence the post-treatment gain in voice fundamental frequency (p = 0.6254). The type of sample collected significantly influenced the post-treatment voice frequency gain (p < 0.01). When the vocal sample was collected through vowel (p < 0.01) and reading (p < 0.01), the gain was significantly more heterogeneous between the different types of treatment. Phonosurgery is significantly more effective in terms of fundamental frequency gain compared to speech therapy alone, regardless of the type of sample collected (p < 0.01). The average gain of fundamental frequency after speech therapy, in the /a/ vowel sample, was 27 Hz, 39.05 Hz in reading, and 25.42 Hz in spontaneous speech. In phonosurgery, there was a gain of 71.68 Hz for the vowel /a/, 41.07 Hz in reading, and 39.09 Hz in spontaneous speech. The study with the highest gain (110 Hz) collected vowels, and the study with the lowest gain (15 Hz), spontaneous speech. The major of the included studies received a score between 4 and 8 on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. CONCLUSION: The type of vocal sample collected influences the gain result of the fundamental frequency after treatment. Speech therapy and phonosurgery increased the fundamental frequency and improved female voice perception and vocal satisfaction. However, phonosurgery yielded a greater fundamental frequency gain in the different samples collected. The study protocol was registered at Prospero (CRD42017078446).

Gynecological Care Among Brazilian Women Who Have Sex with Women: A Respondent-Driven Sampling Study.

Purpose: This study aimed to describe the gynecological care provided to Brazilian women who have sex with women (WSW). Methods: Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit Brazilian WSW. The survey questions, concerning gynecological care, were designed in Portuguese by medical professionals, medical students, and LGBTQIA+ community members, including the authors. The statistical analyses were weighted to account for the likelihood of recruitment. Results: From January to August of 2018, 299 participants were recruited in 14 recruitment waves. The mean age of the WSW was 25.3 years. Most (54.9%) identified as lesbian and had been involved in past-year sexual intercourse mainly with cisgender women (86.1%). The WSW also reported having sex with cisgender men (22.2%), transgender men (5.3%), nonbinary people (2.3%), and transgender women (5.3%) in the last year. More than a quarter of the WSW did not have regular appointments with a gynecologist: 8.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.2-11.6) and 19% (95% CI = 12.8-25.2) stated that they had never gone to the gynecologist or they had only gone for emergencies, respectively. Almost one-third had never had cervical cancer screening (cervical cytology, Pap test or Pap smear). Most women justified avoiding the test because they felt healthy, thought it would hurt, or feared a health professional might mistreat them. Conclusion: Gynecologists should avoid heteronormative assumptions, inquire about sexual practices, orientation, and identity separately, and provide Pap tests as advised to WSW.

Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt in Brazilian Transgender Youth.

The rates of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among transgender youths are high. However, in Brazil, there are no studies about these outcomes in this population. The present study aims to investigate the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in Brazilian transgender youths (binary and non-binary), in association with predictor variables, following the Minority Stress Theory. The predictor variables analyzed were depressive symptoms, discrimination, gender distress, deprivation, social support, and gender identity support from parents and friends. Participants were recruited through an online survey. The final sample consisted of 213 participants, aged 13 to 25 years old. Two equal regression analyses were performed, one for each outcome. Out of the total, 103 (48.6%) identified as transgender boys, 44 (20.8%) as transgender girls, and 65 (30.7%) as non-binary. The mean age was 18.53 years (SD 2.50). The study found that 57.6% of the sample had depressive symptoms, 72.3% experienced suicidal ideation, and 42.7% had attempted suicide. In the final model, the variables that were associated with suicidal ideation were deprivation, gender distress, and depressive symptoms. As for suicide attempts, the variables deprivation and depressive symptoms were correlated. Further studies on this population should be conducted to analyze protective factors for these outcomes.

Sexual Function and Quality of Life in Brazilian Transgender Women Following Gender-Affirming Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional and descriptive study aimed to evaluate the sexual function, urinary function, and quality of life of 26 Brazilian trans women who have undergone gender-affirming surgery (GAS) using the gold standard technique (penile inversion vaginoplasty) in the Gender Identity Transdisciplinary Program at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil, between March 2016 and July 2017. The Female Sexual Function Index, the SF-36 Health Survey, and the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form were used. Regarding their surgical results, 84.6% of the women said they were satisfied, 73.1% were sexually functional, and 15.4% reported urinary incontinence not associated with surgery. Participants also reported a good quality of life, despite low scores of pain and physical vitality. Transgender women in our sample reported a good quality of life and sexual function after GAS. Further studies are required to improve the psychosexual wellbeing of this specific population.

HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT-HIV) effectiveness for sexual risk-reduction among key populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: HIV disproportionately affects people who inject drugs, transgender people, sex workers, men who have sex with men, and incarcerated people. Recognized as key populations (KP), these groups face increased impact of HIV infection and reduced access to health assistance. In 1990, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention organized technical guidance on HIV Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT-HIV), with subsequent trials comparing intervention methodologies, no longer recommending this strategy. However, KP needs have not been explicitly considered. Methods: We assessed VCT-HIV effectiveness for sexual risk-reduction among KP (PROSPERO 2020 CRD42020088816). We searched Pubmed, EMBASE, Global Health, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science for peer-reviewed, controlled trials from February, 2020, to April, 2022. We screened the references list and contacted the main authors, extracted data through Covidence, applied the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool, and performed the meta-analysis using Review Manager. Findings: We identified 17 eligible trials, including 10,916 participants and evaluated HIV risk behaviors. When compared to baseline, VCT-HIV reduced unsafe sex frequency (Z=5.40; p<0.00001, I²=0%). Interpretation: While our meta-analysis identified VCT-HIV as protective for sexual risk behaviors for among KP, the results are limited to MSM and PWID, demonstrating the paucity of data on the other KP. Also, it highlights the importance of applying a clear VCT-HIV guideline as well as properly training the counselors. Funding: Research funded by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPQ/MS-DIAHV N° 24/2019), and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior.

Sampling bias in Brazilian studies on transgender and gender diverse populations: the two-step measure for assessing gender identity in surveys.

Correctly recognizing gender identity in population-based surveys is essential to develop effective public health strategies to improve the living conditions of transgender and gender-diverse populations, as well as to adequately collect data on cisgender individuals. This study aims to present the two-step measure as the best strategy for assessing gender identity in Brazilian surveys, thus we performed two separate analyses. Firstly, we conducted a systematic review concerning HIV-related care among Brazilian transgender and gender-diverse populations to assess the strategy used to identify participants' gender identity. Secondly, we re-analyzed data from a recent survey that included Brazilian transgender populations, comparing characteristics and health outcomes from the sample identified by single-item and by the two-step measure. Concerning the systematic review, from 6,585 references, Brazilian research teams published seven articles, and only one study used the two-step measure. Regarding this survey, the two-step measure recognized 567 cisgender and 773 transgender and gender diverse participants among the 1,340 participants who answered the questionnaire, whereas the single-item measure was able to recognize only 540 transgender and gender diverse people. Furthermore, 31 transgender women self-identified as "transgender men" on the single-item measure. Therefore, although scarcely used in Brazil, the two-step measure is a more accurate strategy to recognize gender identity.

Sampling bias in Brazilian studies on transgender and gender diverse populations: the two-step measure for assessing gender identity in surveys / Viés amostral em estudos brasileiros sobre populações transgênero e não binárias: a medida de dois passos para avaliar a identidade de gênero / Muestras con sesgo en estudios brasileños sobre poblaciones transgénero o de género diverso: modelo de dos etapas para evaluar la identidad de género

Abstract: Correctly recognizing gender identity in population-based surveys is essential to develop effective public health strategies to improve the living conditions of transgender and gender-diverse populations, as well as to adequately collect data on cisgender individuals. This study aims to present the two-step measure as the best strategy for assessing gender identity in Brazilian surveys, thus we performed two separate analyses. Firstly, we conducted a systematic review concerning HIV-related care among Brazilian transgender and gender-diverse populations to assess the strategy used to identify participants' gender identity. Secondly, we re-analyzed data from a recent survey that included Brazilian transgender populations, comparing characteristics and health outcomes from the sample identified by single-item and by the two-step measure. Concerning the systematic review, from 6,585 references, Brazilian research teams published seven articles, and only one study used the two-step measure. Regarding this survey, the two-step measure recognized 567 cisgender and 773 transgender and gender diverse participants among the 1,340 participants who answered the questionnaire, whereas the single-item measure was able to recognize only 540 transgender and gender diverse people. Furthermore, 31 transgender women self-identified as "transgender men" on the single-item measure. Therefore, although scarcely used in Brazil, the two-step measure is a more accurate strategy to recognize gender identity.

Resumo: O reconhecimento correto da identidade de género em inquéritos populacionais é essencial para desenvolver estratégias eficazes de saúde pública para melhorar as duras condições de vida das populações transgênero e não binárias, além de coletar dados adequados sobre pessoas cisgênero. O estudo tem como objetivo apresentar a medida de dois passos como a melhor estratégia para avaliar a identidade de gênero em inquéritos brasileiros. Para tanto, fizemos duas análises separadas. Primeiro, realizamos uma revisão sistemática sobre a assistência relacionada ao HIV em populações transgênero e não binárias brasileiras para avaliar a estratégia aplicada ao reconhecimento da identidade de gênero dos participantes. Depois, reanalisamos os dados de um inquérito recente que incluiu populações transgênero brasileiras, comparando as características e os desfechos de saúde na amostra identificada com as medidas de item único e de dois passos, respectivamente. Quanto à revisão sistemática, entre 6.585 referências, sete artigos foram publicados por pesquisadores brasileiros, e apenas um estudo aplicou a medida de dois passos. Com relação ao inquérito, a medida de dois passos reconheceu 567 pessoas cisgênero e 773 pessoas transgênero e não binárias entre os 1.340 participantes que iniciaram o questionário, enquanto a medida de item único reconheceu somente 540 pessoas transgênero e não binárias. Além disso, 31 mulheres transgênero se identificaram como "homens transgênero", quando foi usada a medida de item único. Portanto, embora a medida de dois passos seja pouco aplicada no Brasil, é uma estratégia mais precisa para reconhecer a identidade de gênero.

Resumen: Reconocer correctamente la identidad de género en las encuestas basadas en población es esencial para desarrollar estrategias públicas de salud efectivas, con el objeto de mejorar las duras condiciones de vida de las poblaciones transgénero y de género diverso, así como recabar adecuadamente datos sobre personas cisgénero. El objetivo de este estudio es presentar un modelo de dos etapas como la mejor estrategia para evaluar la identidad de género en encuestas brasileñas. Para tal fin, se realizaron dos análisis separados. En primer lugar, se llevó a cabo una revisión sistemática relacionada con los cuidados recibidos por la población transgénero brasileña con VIH y poblaciones de género diverso, con el fin de evaluar la estrategia aplicada para reconocer la identidad de género de los participantes. En segundo lugar, volvimos a analizar los datos de una encuesta reciente, que incluyó a poblaciones transgénero brasileñas, comparando características y resultados de salud de la muestra identificada por un modelo de ítem único y por el modelo de dos etapas. Respecto a la revisión sistemática, de las 6.585 referencias se publicaron siete artículos por parte de equipos de investigación brasileños, y solamente un estudio donde se aplicó el modelo de dos etapas. Respecto a esta encuesta, el modelo de dos etapas reconoció a 567 cisgénero y 773 transgénero, así como a participantes de género diverso, entre los 1.340 participantes que realizaron el cuestionario, aunque el modelo de un único ítem fue capaz de reconocer solo a 540 personas transgénero y de género diverso. Además, 31 mujeres transgénero se autoidentificaron como "hombres transgéneros" en el modelo de un único ítem. Por consiguiente, a pesar de que se aplicó escasamente en Brasil, el modelo de dos etapas es una estrategia más precisa para reconocer la identidad de género.

Tobacco use among transgender and gender non-binary youth in Brazil.

Transgender and gender non-binary youth are particularly vulnerable to tobacco smoking and susceptible to smoking adverse health outcomes. That is, they are in special risk to start smoking and, after starting, they may face worse outcomes when comparing to their cisgender peers. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate factors associated with tobacco use among transgender and gender non-binary youth. Brazilian youth aged 16 to 25 who identify as transgender or gender non-binary answered an online questionnaire. Poisson regression with robust variance was run to predict smoking cigarettes based on individual and environmental factors. 14.1% of 206 youth reported smoking cigarettes daily, whereas 9.3% of participants reported smoking e-cigarettes occasionally. Drug use, lack of social support, deprivation, discrimination, the wait for medical gender-affirming procedures and being outside school were associated with smoking cigarettes. Contextual and individual factors should be further explored in causal analysis and taken into consideration when planning smoking prevention and cessation interventions for transgender and gender non-binary youth.

Prevalence of Gender Dysphoria in Southern Brazil: A Retrospective Study.

To ensure that public health services provide comprehensive and inclusive health care to the general population, it is important for countries to estimate how many of their citizens experience gender dysphoria and wish to receive specialized hormone treatment or gender-affirming surgery. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of individuals with gender dysphoria seeking transgender health care in a public teaching hospital in southern Brazil. In this retrospective follow-up study, we analyzed the medical records and sociodemographic data of individuals aged > 15 years living in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, that enrolled in a specialized program to receive hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery between 2000 and 2018. This study is the first to attempt estimating the prevalence of gender dysphoria in Rio Grande do Sul; it describes novel data on the clinical profile of individuals with gender dysphoria treated in a public hospital specialized in providing transgender health care. Prevalence estimates were calculated based on statewide annual population data in the study period. Of 934 identified individuals, 776 (601 trans women and 175 trans men) were included in this study. The overall prevalence of individuals with gender dysphoria was 9.3 per 100,000 individuals (95% CI: 8.6 to 9.8). Meanwhile, there were 15 trans women per 100,000 people (95% CI: 14 to 16) and 4.1 trans men per 100,000 people (95% CI: 3.5 to 4.8). There was a progressive increase in the number of people seeking hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery during the study period. Future research is needed to determine the size of the trans population in other regions of Brazil and to expand the knowledge regarding gender dysphoria to allow for the development of effective public policies for people with gender dysphoria.

Tobacco use among transgender and gender non-binary youth in Brazil / Uso de tabaco entre jovens transgêneros e não-binários do Brasil

Abstract Transgender and gender non-binary youth are particularly vulnerable to tobacco smoking and susceptible to smoking adverse health outcomes. That is, they are in special risk to start smoking and, after starting, they may face worse outcomes when comparing to their cisgender peers. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate factors associated with tobacco use among transgender and gender non-binary youth. Brazilian youth aged 16 to 25 who identify as transgender or gender non-binary answered an online questionnaire. Poisson regression with robust variance was run to predict smoking cigarettes based on individual and environmental factors. 14.1% of 206 youth reported smoking cigarettes daily, whereas 9.3% of participants reported smoking e-cigarettes occasionally. Drug use, lack of social support, deprivation, discrimination, the wait for medical gender-affirming procedures and being outside school were associated with smoking cigarettes. Contextual and individual factors should be further explored in causal analysis and taken into consideration when planning smoking prevention and cessation interventions for transgender and gender non-binary youth.

Resumo Jovens transgêneros e não-binários são particularmente vulneráveis ao tabagismo e suscetíveis a seus malefícios a saúde. Ou seja, esses grupos estão em especial risco para começar a fumar e, após o início, tendem a apresentar resultados piores quando comparados a seus pares cisgêneros. Sendo assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar fatores associados ao uso do tabaco em jovens transgêneros e não-binários. Jovens brasileiros, com idade entre 16 e 25 anos, que se identificam como transgêneros ou não-binários responderam um questionário on-line. Uma Regressão de Poisson com variância robusta foi realizada para predizer o consumo de cigarros com base em fatores individuais e ambientais. 14,1% de 206 jovens relataram fumar cigarros diariamente, enquanto 9,3% dos participantes revelaram fumar cigarros eletrônicos ocasionalmente. Uso de drogas, falta de suporte social, experiências de privação, discriminação, espera para procedimentos médicos de afirmação de gênero e evasão escolar foram associados ao consumo de cigarros entre jovens transgêneros e não-binários brasileiros. Sendo assim, os fatores individuais e contextuais citados devem receber especial enfoque no planejamento de intervenções de prevenção e interrupção do tabagismo voltados a jovens transgêneros e não-binários brasileiros.

Corrigendum: Descriptive Study of Transgender Youth Receiving Health Care in the Gender Identity Program in Southern Brazil.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.627661.].

Acoustic Measures of Brazilian Transgender Women's Voices: A Case-Control Study.

Objective: This study aims to compare the acoustic vocal analysis results of a group of transgender women relative to those of cisgender women. Methods: Thirty transgender women between the ages of 19 and 52 years old participated in the study. The control group was composed of 31 cisgender women between the ages of 20 and 48 years old. A standardized questionnaire was administered to collect general patient data to better characterize the participants. The vowel /a/ sounds of all participants were collected and analyzed by the Multi-Dimensional Voice Program advanced system. Results: Statistically significant differences between cisgender and transgender women were found on 14 measures: fundamental frequency, maximum fundamental frequency, minimum fundamental frequency, standard deviation of fundamental frequency, absolute jitter, percentage or relative jitter, fundamental frequency relative average perturbation, fundamental frequency perturbation quotient, smoothed fundamental frequency perturbation quotient, fundamental frequency variation, absolute shimmer, relative shimmer, voice turbulence index (lower values in the cases), and soft phonation index (higher values in the cases). The mean fundamental frequency value was 159.046 Hz for the cases and 192.435 Hz for the controls. Conclusion: Through glottal adaptations, the group of transgender women managed to feminize their voices, presenting voices that were less aperiodic and softer than those of cisgender women.

Factors Associated With Ruminative Thinking in Individuals With Gender Dysphoria.

This study aimed to examine psychosocial factors and medical history as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress associated with ruminative thinking in transgender people with gender dysphoria (GD) before undergoing gender affirmation surgery (GAS). This study evaluated 189 participants with GD (111 trans women and 78 trans men) from a specialized service for GAS in southern Brazil. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and participants were asked to complete self-report questionnaires. We recovered participants' sociodemographic and psychosocial data (e.g., history of sexual abuse, expulsion from home, and history of drug use) and data regarding their clinical history (e.g., medication, history of suicidal ideation and attempted suicide, and HIV status). Further, we implemented the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to examine participants' psychological state, as well as the Ruminative Response Scale (RRS) to assess ruminative thinking, which includes brooding and reflection. The predictor variables were those that exhibited a minimum level of significance of p ≤ 0.05 in multivariate linear regression. The ruminative thinking scores for trans women were higher than those of trans men (Brooding p = 0.014; Reflection p = 0.052).In the multivariate model, suicidal ideation, moderate depression, and severe/very severe anxiety were associated with both brooding and reflection. Feminine gender identity and stress symptoms moderated only brooding, while anxiety symptoms moderated only reflection. Our findings show that trans women had the highest ruminative thinking scores, and that depression, anxiety, stress, and suicidal ideation were associated with ruminative thinking in total sample. Psychological symptoms should be examined in the context of gender affirmation surgery to minimize the possibility of adverse mental health outcomes. Follow-up studies are required to measure ruminative thinking levels more accurately and to identify its predictors.

Male-to-Female Gender-Affirming Surgery: 20-Year Review of Technique and Surgical Results.

Purpose: Gender dysphoria (GD) is an incompatibility between biological sex and personal gender identity; individuals harbor an unalterable conviction that they were born in the wrong body, which causes personal suffering. In this context, surgery is imperative to achieve a successful gender transition and plays a key role in alleviating the associated psychological discomfort. In the current study, a retrospective cohort, we report the 20-years outcomes of the gender-affirming surgery performed at a single Brazilian university center, examining demographic data, intra and postoperative complications. During this period, 214 patients underwent penile inversion vaginoplasty. Results: Results demonstrate that the average age at the time of surgery was 32.2 years (range, 18-61 years); the average of operative time was 3.3 h (range 2-5 h); the average duration of hormone therapy before surgery was 12 years (range 1-39). The most commons minor postoperative complications were granulation tissue (20.5 percent) and introital stricture of the neovagina (15.4 percent) and the major complications included urethral meatus stenosis (20.5 percent) and hematoma/excessive bleeding (8.9 percent). A total of 36 patients (16.8 percent) underwent some form of reoperation. One hundred eighty-one (85 percent) patients in our series were able to have regular sexual intercourse, and no individual regretted having undergone GAS. Conclusions: Findings confirm that it is a safety procedure, with a low incidence of serious complications. Otherwise, in our series, there were a high level of functionality of the neovagina, as well as subjective personal satisfaction.

Descriptive Study of Transgender Youth Receiving Health Care in the Gender Identity Program in Southern Brazil.

Since 2014, the Gender Identity Program (PROTIG) of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) has been assisting transgender youth seeking gender-affirmative treatment offered at a public health-care service specializing in gender in southern Brazil. This article aims to analyze sociodemographic and clinical data regarding the diagnoses of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence, psychiatric comorbidities, and clinical aspects of a sample of transgender youths seeking health care in the gender identity program. The research protocol consisted of a survey of the data collected in the global psychological evaluation performed at the health-care service for youths diagnosed with gender incongruence and their caretakers. Participating in this research were 24 transgender youths between 8 and 16 years old with diagnostic overlap of gender dysphoria [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)] and gender incongruence [International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11)] and 34 of their caregivers. Of the young people, 45.8% were positive for some psychiatric comorbidity throughout their lives, with almost half (45.4%) having two or more psychiatric comorbidities in addition to gender dysphoria. The mental health professionals comprising affirmation care teams face the challenge of adapting the care protocols to the uniqueness of each demand by developing individualized forms to promote healthy development. This can be done by focusing not only on medical and physical interventions for gender affirmation but also on the promotion of mental health and general emotional well-being. Thus, the gender affirmation model, which advocates for global assessment and personalized guidance, proved to be adequate. Nevertheless, access to multidisciplinary health services specializing in gender is essential for promoting the general well-being of the population of transgender youth.

Gender dysphoria: prejudice from childhood to adulthood, but no impact on inflammation. A cross-sectional controlled study.

INTRODUCTION: Gender dysphoria (GD) is characterized by a marked incongruence between experienced gender and one's gender assigned at birth. Transsexual individuals present a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders when compared to non-transsexual populations, and it has been proposed that minority stress, i.e., discrimination or prejudice, has a relevant impact on these outcomes. Transsexuals also show increased chances of having experienced maltreatment during childhood. Interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are inflammatory cytokines that regulate our immune system. Imbalanced levels in such cytokines are linked to history of childhood maltreatment and psychiatric disorders. We compared differences in IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α levels and exposure to traumatic events in childhood and adulthood in individuals with and without GD (DSM-5). METHODS: Cross-sectional controlled study comparing 34 transsexual women and 31 non-transsexual men. They underwent a thorough structured interview, assessing sociodemographic information, mood and anxiety symptoms, childhood maltreatment, explicit discrimination and suicidal ideation. Inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10 and TNF-α) were measured by multiplex immunoassay. RESULTS: Individuals with GD experienced more discrimination (p = 0.002) and childhood maltreatment (p = 0.046) than non-transsexual men. Higher suicidal ideation (p < 0.001) and previous suicide attempt (p = 0.001) rates were observed in transsexual women. However, no differences were observed in the levels of any cytokine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that transsexual women are more exposed to stressful events from childhood to adulthood than non-transsexual men and that GD per se does not play a role in inflammatory markers.

Gender Affirmation Is Associated with Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Youth Mental Health Improvement.

Purpose: The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of each domain of gender affirmation (social, legal, and medical/surgical) on the mental health of transgender and gender nonbinary youth. Methods: Three hundred fifty transgender boys, transgender girls, and gender nonbinary Brazilian youth, from 16 to 24 years old, answered an online survey. Results: The final sample consisted of 350 youth who participated in this study. A total of 149 (42.64%) youth identified as transgender boys, 85 (24.28%) identified as transgender girls, and 116 (33.14%) identified as gender nonbinary youth. The mean age was 18.61 (95% confidence interval 18.34-18.88) years. Having accessed multiple steps of gender affirmation (social, legal, and medical/surgical) was associated with fewer symptoms of depression and less anxiety. Furthermore, engaging in gender affirmation processes helped youth to develop a sense of pride and positivity about their gender identity and a feeling of being socially accepted. Conclusion: Enabling transgender and gender nonbinary youth to access gender affirmation processes more easily should be considered as a strategy to reduce depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as to improve gender positivity.

Use of the House-Tree-Person Projective Drawings and Parental Styles Inventory in the Global Psychological Evaluation of Transgender Youth Who Seek Healthcare at the Gender Identity Program.

The present study explores data collected in the psychological evaluation of transgender youth and their families who seek healthcare at the Gender Identity Program. Great psychosocial changes mark the transition from infancy to adulthood. Transgender youth may have these aspects of their developmental stage potentialized. A study was conducted with 23 transgender youth (mean age = 14 ± 2.38 years) and their caregivers. Eleven of the youngsters were assigned male at birth, while 12 were assigned female. The research protocol consisted of a survey and systematization of the data collected in the initial global psychological evaluation performed at the healthcare facility, including house-tree-person (HTP) projective drawings and the parental styles inventory. The present study aimed to explore the data collected during the psychological evaluation of youngsters diagnosed with gender incongruence, relating the HTP projective drawing technique to parental styles and gender trajectories. The results indicate two key points. One evidenced that parental styles could be either preventive or risk components in maintaining adequate socialization in these young people but not in affecting the level of gender dysphoria. The other was that coherence is introduced in the person's perception of his or her projected self-image and his or her expressed gender as he/she becomes more comfortable in expressing his/her gender identity. Treating youngsters inherently brings ethical issues to clinical practice. Thus, global psychological evaluation tailored to this population is a fundamental resource that the psychology professional can use in consultations with youngsters because this tool brings a global understanding about the natural development cycle, facilitating the formulation of therapeutic conducts and exchanges within interdisciplinary transgender health care teams.

Dealing with gender-related and general stress: Substance use among Brazilian transgender youth.

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent substance use is a major public health concern since it enhances adolescent morbidity and mortality, affecting adulthood health and well-being. Although current evidence shows a high risk for substance use among transgender populations, to date, few studies evaluate substance use among transgender youth. METHOD: Brazilian transgender youth (ages between 16 and 25 years old) answered an online questionnaire measuring demographics, substance use and modifiable factors associated with drug use to deal with general stress, gender-related stress, and recreational use. RESULTS: Cannabis was the most frequent substance used among transgender youth (20.88%; CI 95% 23.71-36.19), whereas 11.45% (CI 95% 11.38-21.47) of volunteers disclosed use of pain medication, such as codeine, and 5.05% (CI 95% 3.71-10.78) revealed use of sedatives and tranquilizers in the last 30 days. ADH medication (not prescribed), as well as cocaine and other drugs (such as antihistamines and Hookah), was also reported by 2.36% (CI 95% 0.92-5.84), 2.69% (CI 95% 1.24-6.49) and 4.04% (CI 95% 2.61-8.98) of transgender youth. CONCLUSION: A logistic regression model showed that discrimination and home instability were the primary determinants of vulnerable to substance use among youth. Therefore, the harm reduction strategies must affect the social and physical aspects of transgender youth lives.