Physical Health in Transgender and Nonbinary Adults: The Roles of Minority Stress and General Psychological Processes

Abstract

Purpose: This online study examined minority stress and general psychological processes as determinants of physical health in transgender and nonbinary adults. Methods: A sample of 266 transgender and nonbinary participants completed self-report measures of depression, physical health, and minority stressors. Results: Indirect association between distal stress and physical health through proximal stress and depression was statistically significant. Individuals who experienced greater distal stress reported greater proximal stress, which was associated with greater depression symptoms, which was associated with worse physical health. Conclusion: Findings suggest that both group-specific stress responses and general psychological processes are germane to understanding physical health disparities.