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

Abstract

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.

Family Relationships and the Health and Well-Being of Transgender and Gender-Diverse Youth: A Critical Review

“…In population-based survey research, TGD high school students consistently endorsed substance use at significantly higher rates than their cisgender peers, 13,65 with the widest disparity among youth who have used illicit drugs such as heroin or cocaine. 66 Substance use among TGD youth may be used as an unhealthy strategy for dealing with stress, 67 and modifiable factors such as strong family relationships may reduce the risk that TGD youth will experience stressful events (e.g., parental rejection of gender identity) or that such unhealthy strategies will be used to cope with existing stress. 14,67 Further studies exploring family strengths and substance use among TGD youth should include greater emphasis on how stress and family relationships may modulate risk for substance use with sample sizes that allow for sufficient power in analysis.…”

A 2020 Review of Mental Health Comorbidity in Gender Dysphoric and Gender Non-Conforming People

“…We found substance abuse and consumption as a significant issue in the trans population. Besides the excessive consumption of substances, also the minority stress, family instability, post-traumatic stress disorder and gender-related discrimination appear as decisive elements in the vulnerability of the trans community [37,[40][41][42].…”

“…González, et al [37] was the only one that was conducted in older than 18 years. Three of them were carried out in minors [38][39][40], and two of them in adolescents and young people [41,42].…”

“…Several studies coincide in placing cannabis in second position, closely followed by tobacco, but with a highly variable prevalence in both studies. The consumption of other drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and non-prescribed analgesics and anxiolytics is also evident [39,41,42].…”

Mental Health Conditions in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Asexual Youth in Brazil: a call for action

“…Nevertheless, data from community surveys conducted in low-and middle-income countries, where levels of violence against sexual minorities tend to be higher, 2 is scarce. 3,4 Here we estimate the prevalence of mental disorders among LGBTQA+ youths from the 3rd wave of the Brazilian High-Risk Cohort for Psychiatric Disorders (BHRCS). 5 Briefly, 2,511 participants were assessed in baseline (38% randomly selected; 62% selected as high risk according to screening child and family psychiatric symptoms; for details see³).…”