Uncovering associations between gender nonconformity, psychosocial factors, and mental health in adolescents: a birth cohort study

• DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002623
• Publication Date: 2023-09-18T10:59:54Z
• Authors: Zui Narita; Jordan DeVylder; Syudo Yamasaki; Shuntaro Ando; Kaori Endo; Mitsuhiro Miyashita; Satoshi Yamaguchi; Satoshi Usami; Daniel Stanyon; Gemma Knowles; Mariko Hiraiwa-Ha...; Toshiaki A Furukawa; Kiyoto Kasai; Atsushi Nishida
• Keywords: Nonconformity

Abstract Background Little information is available on the association between gender nonconformity during adolescence and subsequent mental health. While distress related to may be socially produced rather than attributed individual-level factors, further research needed better understand role of psychosocial factors in this context. Method We analyzed data from Tokyo Teen Cohort, obtained through random sampling adolescents born 2002 2004. used inverse probability weighting examine at ages 12 14 as a time-varying variable with health age 16, while accounting for time-fixed confounders. Furthermore, we approach investigate mediating modifiable association, addressing exposure-mediator mediator–mediator interactions. Results A total 3171 participants were analyzed. Persistent nonconforming behavior was associated depression ( β = 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85 3.19) psychotic experiences 0.33, CI 0.14 0.52) 16. The results remained robust sensitivity analyses. Approximately 30% consistently mediated by set namely loneliness, bullying victimization, relationships mother, father, friends. Conclusions Psychosocial play vital highlighting essential need social intervention change reduce stigmatization ameliorate challenges.