TY - JOUR

T1 - Anxiety and Depression Among Transgender People: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Online Survey in Russia

AU - Чумаков, Егор Максимович

AU - Ашенбреннер, Юлия Владимировна

AU - Петрова, Наталия Николаевна

AU - Застрожин, Михаил Сергеевич

AU - Азарова, Лариса Альбертовна

AU - Лиманкин, Олег Васильевич

PY - 2021/9/1

Y1 - 2021/9/1

N2 - Abstract Purpose: As we still do not know enough about the mental health concerns of gender minority people in Russia, there is a need to initiate research on these issues. We aimed to examine the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms in a Russian sample of transgender people. Methods: The study consisted of a structured online survey and was conducted throughout November 2019. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used for online screening of anxiety and depression symptoms. A total of 588 transgender adults living in all Federal Districts of Russia (mean age 24.0 ± standard deviation 6.7) was included in the final analysis. Results: It was found that 45.1% (n = 265) and 24.0% (n = 141) of transgender people had clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression, respectively. No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anxiety and depression were found among those who identified as a transgender man, a transgender woman, or other transgender identities. The anxiety and depression mean scores in the sample were statistically significantly higher than in the general Russian population (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the level of depression and anxiety symptoms among respondents in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities. Conclusions: We found high rates of clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety among transgender people, consistent with international research. The study highlights the need for further research on the psychological well-being and mental health of transgender people, and the availability of psychiatric care to transgender people living in Russia.

AB - Abstract Purpose: As we still do not know enough about the mental health concerns of gender minority people in Russia, there is a need to initiate research on these issues. We aimed to examine the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms in a Russian sample of transgender people. Methods: The study consisted of a structured online survey and was conducted throughout November 2019. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used for online screening of anxiety and depression symptoms. A total of 588 transgender adults living in all Federal Districts of Russia (mean age 24.0 ± standard deviation 6.7) was included in the final analysis. Results: It was found that 45.1% (n = 265) and 24.0% (n = 141) of transgender people had clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression, respectively. No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of anxiety and depression were found among those who identified as a transgender man, a transgender woman, or other transgender identities. The anxiety and depression mean scores in the sample were statistically significantly higher than in the general Russian population (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were found in the level of depression and anxiety symptoms among respondents in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other Russian cities. Conclusions: We found high rates of clinical symptoms of depression and anxiety among transgender people, consistent with international research. The study highlights the need for further research on the psychological well-being and mental health of transgender people, and the availability of psychiatric care to transgender people living in Russia.

KW - anxiety

KW - depression

KW - health care policy

KW - transgender people

KW - PSYCHIATRIC COMORBIDITY

KW - DISORDERS

KW - HOSPITAL ANXIETY

KW - POPULATIONS

KW - RISK

KW - MENTAL-HEALTH

KW - PREVALENCE

KW - INDIVIDUALS

KW - SELF-INJURY

KW - GENDER IDENTITY

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85113804757&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/2c55342f-6759-3021-9222-d1a65ca010e6/

U2 - 10.1089/lgbt.2020.0464

DO - 10.1089/lgbt.2020.0464

M3 - Article

VL - 8

SP - 412

EP - 419

JO - LGBT Health

JF - LGBT Health

SN - 2325-8292

IS - 6

ER -