Bullying, State Policy, and Mental Health Symptoms in Gender-Diverse Youths

Are bullying and state policies related to gender identity associated with subclinical psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in gender-diverse youths in the US?In this large, nationally representative cohort study of 8463 youths aged 9 to 13 years, self-reported bullying was associated with greater rates of PLEs in gender-diverse youths. Across 4 years, consistently unsupportive policy related to gender identity was associated with increasing PLEs in gender-diverse youths.These findings suggest that social stigma, including bullying and unsupportive legislation related to gender identity, plays an important role in shaping PLEs and their trajectories in gender-diverse youths, highlighting the need for supportive environments and policies.

Corresponding Author: Dylan E. Hughes, MA, University of California, Los Angeles, 1285 Psychology Bldg, Box 951563, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (hughesdy@g.ucla.edu).

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