Community attitudes on genetic research of gender identity, sexual orientation, and mental health

Abstract

Biological sex is an important factor in mental health, and a non-binary view of how variation in sex and gender influence mental health represents a new research frontier that may yield new insights. The recent acceleration of research into sexual orientation, gender identity, and mental health has generally been conducted without sufficient understanding of the opinions of sexual and gender minorities (SGM) toward this research. We surveyed 768 individuals, with an enrichment of LGBTQ+ stakeholders, for their opinions regarding genetic research of SGM and mental health. We found that the key predictors of attitudes toward genetic research specifically on SGM are 1) general attitudes toward genetic and mental health research 2) tolerance of SGM and associated behaviors 3) non-cisgender stakeholder status and 4) age of the respondent. Non-heterosexual stakeholder status was significantly associated with increased willingness to participate in genetic research if a biological basis for gender identity were discovered. We also found that non-stakeholders with a low tolerance for SGM indicated their SGM views would be positively updated if science showed a biological basis for their behaviors and identities. These findings represent an important first step in understanding and engaging the LGBTQ+ stakeholder community in the context of genetic research.

Polygenic scores clarify the relationship between mental health and gender diversity

“…Moreover, gender diversity, a fundamental aspect of human diversity, is not only expressed by individuals with transgender or nonbinary identities. People who identify as cisgender also exhibit variation in gender diversity and expression [7] that would be lost in studies only reporting categorical descriptors of gender identity. Therefore, a quantitative, dimensional characterization of gender that is independent of categorical gender identity self-endorsement will enable health researchers to appropriately incorporate gender diversity in their analyses.…”