Mental Health Disparities Among Cisgender, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming College Students in the United States

Compared to cisgender men and women, transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) individuals receive very little attention on their experiences related to mental health. This study examines gender differences in mental health-related outcomes and their relationship to mental illness diagnoses, psychological service utilization, help-seeking attitudes, and overall health among students attending universities in the United States. A survey of 1,034 college students indicated psychological health significantly varied by gender such that mental health-related outcomes, mental illness diagnoses, and psychological service utilization were worse for TGNC individuals than for cisgender women or men. These healthcare outcomes were also reported to be worse for cisgender women than for cisgender men, except for resilience, loneliness, and overall health, for which TGNC participants reported worse outcomes, but cisgender men and women did not differ. Implications for mental health counselors and recommendations for future research are provided.