Depression and Anxiety Among Young Gender- and Sexuality-Diverse Adolescents

What are the prevalence rates and odds of depression and anxiety for younger gender- and sexuality-diverse adolescents (<15 years of age)?In this cross-sectional study of 6388 younger adolescents, gender and sexuality diversity status was associated with depression and anxiety, with 5 and 6 times higher odds of clinical levels of depression for gender-diverse and sexuality-diverse adolescents, respectively, and 3 times higher odds of clinical-level anxiety for both groups, compared with their cisgender and heterosexual counterparts.Mental health interventions and prevention strategies targeting identity-specific stressors and broader contextual risks in early adolescence are urgently needed.

Corresponding Author: Sarita Bista, PhD, Specialty of Child and Adolescent Health, Children’s Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia (sarita.bista@sydney.edu.au).

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