Predictors of psychological well-being among treatment seeking transgender individuals

Abstract

Research has yet to identify specific predictors of poor psychological well-being and quality of life in transgender people. This study aimed first to explore the predictive value of five factors known to be associated with poor psychological well-being in cis- and transgender people; age, self-esteem, victimisation, interpersonal problems, and body dissatisfaction. Second, to investigate the mediatory role of self-esteem and social support. Two hundred and eight participants (104 transgender and 104 cisgender controls), matched by age and gender, completed measures of these predictor variables, along with general psychopathology and functional quality of life. The results indicate that in the transgender group, greater psychopathology and greater depression were predicted by younger age (psychopathology only), lower self-esteem, greater body dissatisfaction, and greater interpersonal problems. In the cisgender group, only lower self-esteem and greater interpersonal problems were significant predictors of these factors. For quality of life, lower self-esteem and greater interpersonal problems were significant predictors of low quality of life in both groups. Self-esteem but not social support mediated the above relationships. Overall, self-esteem and interpersonal problems appear to be crucial factors that influence well-being. Those providing treatment to transgender people should pay more attention to these areas.