Distress and Symptom Change among Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Racial/ethnic Minorities

Abstract

The current study employs an intersectional framework to understand how well counselors are meeting the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) racial/ethnic minorities (REM) clients by examining clients� initial anxiety and depression levels and changes in symptoms through psychotherapy. Data from 41,691 participants from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2012-2016 data set were analyzed. Results from hierarchical linear modeling indicate higher baseline anxiety and depression among TGNC clients and significant but minimally faster rates of change of depression symptoms among cisgender clients. REM clients presented with lower baseline anxiety, but higher baseline depression. REM clients demonstrated faster rates of change of depression, but no differences in rates of change of anxiety compared to White clients. No significant interaction effects between TGNC and REM identities were found, but main effects held such that TGNC REM clients experienced more distress than any other group.