Work

The mental health age gradient by gender identity

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2017–2022 we estimated adjusted and unadjusted differences in self-reported number of poor mental health days (past month) between gender minority (GM) and cisgender adults. We document that the disparity is largest among younger individuals. Among 18- to 23-year-olds, GM adults report on average 14.5 days of poor mental health, compared to 6.3 days for cisgender individuals, yielding an unadjusted disparity of 8.2 days [95% CI: 7.15, 9.24]. This disparity decreases with age – among people over the age of 73, the observed difference was 1.7 days [95% CI: 0.13, 3.27].

Source: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology

DOI: 10.1007/s00127-025-02895-3

Authors: Samuel Mann, Megan S. Schuler, Annaliese Paulson, Michael S. Dunbar

Institutions: RAND Corporation, University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Gender equality

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,390