Predictors and Mental Health Benefits of Chosen Name Use Among Transgender Youth

Abstract

Chosen name use among transgender youth (youth whose gender identities are different from their sex assigned at birth) can be part of the complex process of aligning gender presentation with gender identity and can promote mental health. However, little is known about the factors that predict whether or not transgender youth have a chosen name and outcomes of chosen name use, especially in specific social contexts. We examined, among a sample of 129 transgender youth from three cities in the United States, differences in sociodemographic characteristics and mental health outcomes between transgender youth with and without a chosen name and, among those with a chosen name, predictors and mental health benefits of being able to use a chosen name at home, school, and work. There were few differences between transgender youth with and without a chosen name. Among transgender youth with a chosen name, disclosure of gender identity to supportive family and teachers predicted chosen name use at home and school, respectively. Chosen name use was associated with large reductions in negative health outcomes and relatively smaller improvements in positive mental health outcomes. Our results show that chosen name use is part of the gender affirmation process for some, but not all, transgender youth and is associated with better mental health among transgender youth who adopt a chosen name.

Fourteen Recommendations to Create a More Inclusive Environment for LGBTQ+ Individuals in Academic Biology

“…Creating opportunities for individuals to reveal their names and pronouns can help LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgen-der or nonbinary individuals, feel welcome (Russell et al, 2018;Pollitt et al, 2019). Different settings within the biology community can be leveraged to create these opportunities using various strategies.…”

“…For online courses, hybrid courses, or active-learning courses with frequent assignments through the course management system, students will have to log in and use the name associated with the account often. Transgender and nonbinary individuals are often forced to use their deadname, which is defined as the name assigned at birth that no longer aligns with their gender identity (Cooper and Brownell, 2016;Russell et al, 2018;Pollitt et al, 2019). They may also need to use an email address that reflects a deadname.…”

“…Creating opportunities for individuals to reveal their names and pronouns can help LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender or nonbinary individuals, feel welcome ( Russell et al. , 2018 ; Pollitt et al. , 2019 ).…”

Advancing Research on Minority Stress and Resilience in Trans Children and Adolescents in the 21st Century

“…Interpersonal gender dysphoria is a key stressor that is often neglected in studies that examine health disparities among trans populations (Johnson, Leibowitz, Chavez, & Herbert, 2019). Emerging research suggests that using one's chosen name and pronouns is associated with large reductions in compromised mental health outcomes (e.g., Pollitt, Ioverno, Russell, Li, & Grossman, 2021). Yet trans children and adolescents experience contexts and interpersonal relationships that do not affirm their gender, including others' refusal to use their chosen name or pronouns, lack of access to bathrooms or other facilities that correspond to their gender identity, and restrictions on appearance (e.g., clothing, hair style; Kosciw, Clark, Truong, & Zongrone, 2020).…”

Visible name changes promote inequity for transgender researchers

“…Respecting a transgender person’s chosen name and pronouns is a matter of dignity and safety [ 7 ]. Hearing others call them by their chosen name and pronouns is an important form of acknowledgement and respect; this affirmation can strongly reduce negative mental health outcomes [ 8 ]. Their former name given at birth, known as a dead name, can be associated with trauma [ 9 ] including harassment, violence, abuse, physical and sexual assault, as well as a gender they do not identify with.…”