Social Experiences among Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Questioning Youth

Researcher: Seth LeBlanc

Abstract:

Previous research indicates that subtypes of social withdrawal are related to social experiences, such as inclusion and exclusion, although little is known about these social factors among transgender, non-binary, and gender questioning youth. The purpose of this study is to examine social withdrawal subtypes and other social experiences among non-cisgender youth. Data collection for this project is ongoing. Participants in the sample to date are 82 adolescents and emerging adults between ages 14-24 (M = 18.39, SD = 2.17; 80.5% White; 20% Transgender Boy/Man, 8.4% Transgender Girl/Woman, 35.8% Non-Binary, 22.1% Gender Questioning; 69.6% North American). Preliminary results from an online survey indicate that transgender, non-binary, and gender questioning youth report higher rates of shyness and unsociability, relative to avoidance. Results also show that being non-cisgender impacts fears and worries about socializing more than it does for other aspects of social experiences. The findings suggest that social fears may play an important role in understanding social experiences among transgender, non-binary, and gender questioning youth.