A Longitudinal Study Exploring the Role of Mental Health Symptoms and Social Support Regarding Life Satisfaction 18 Months after Initiation of Gender-Affirming Hormone Treatment

• Published in: Healthcare (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 3; p. 379
• Main Authors: Aldridge, Zoë, Thorne, Nat, Bouman, Walter Pierre, Witcomb, Gemma L, Arcelus, Jon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 29-01-2023; MDPI
• Subjects: Alliances; Evaluation; gender diverse; Gender identity; gender-affirming hormone therapy; Influence; life satisfaction; Longitudinal studies; Mental depression; mental health; Patient outcomes; Patient satisfaction; Psychological aspects; Quality of life; Sex change; Social aspects; Social networks; Social support; United Kingdom; social support; mental health; gender-affirming hormone therapy; gender diverse; life satisfaction; longitudinal; transgender
• ISSN: 2227-9032; 2227-9032
• DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11030379

While positive changes in mental health have been found following gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT), it is unclear how pre-GAHT mental health and social support can influence treatment outcomes. To address this, a retrospective longitudinal design was used in which 137 participants completed measures of social support, anxiety, and depression prior to GAHT (T0) and a measure of life satisfaction 18 months after GAHT (T1). The data showed no significant differences in life satisfaction at T1 based on T0 caseness of anxiety or depression. It was also found that T1 life satisfaction was not predicted by levels of anxiety, depression, or social support at T0. The lack of significant differences in life satisfaction at 18 months post-GAHT based on pre-GAHT mental health, coupled with no evidence for the predictive role social support suggest that these factors are not central to long-term life satisfaction. For many, lower mental wellbeing may be part of the experience of awaiting GAHT and should not be regarded as indicative of longer-term issues. Instead, facilitation of social support connections and mental health support should be offered both concurrently with, and for those awaiting, GAHT.