Background
The number of adolescents identifying as Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) are thought to be growing. However, robust data detailing the rates for self-identification is lacking for those under 16 years of age. Moreover, there are few studies which have characterised the socio-demographic and health information of this community to inform service planning. The current study reports the proportion of 12 to 15 years olds within an ethnically diverse population cohort dataset who were classified as TGD, as well as their socio-demographic and health profile.
Methods
A cross-sectional observational study was conducted using the Born in Bradford, Age of Wonder cohort dataset. This includes 4,954 adolescents from 15 schools in the Bradford District (UK). Data were provided on adolescents’ assigned sex at birth and gender identity, other socio-demographic variables, and health proxies (e.g. anxiety and depression symptoms) which were stratified by those who were categorised as TGD and those as cisgender.
Results
Of the sample, 1.40% identified as TGD. There was a higher frequency of individuals identifying as a transgender boy (female assigned sex; 0.50%) and nonbinary (female assigned sex; 0.50%) compared to transgender girls (male assigned sex; 0.20%) and nonbinary (male assigned sex; 0.20%). The TGD group were more likely to be from a White ethnicity background, have no practiced religion, have access to free school meals, have special educational needs (SEN), and self-report the presence of physical or mental illness. TGD people also scored significantly higher on anxiety and depression symptoms. There were no significant differences between groups in age indices, country of birth, or national deprivation quartiles.
Conclusions
This study provides an insight into the socio-demographic composition of the TGD group compared to cisgender group, within this population cohort dataset. This study also suggests increased health inequalities within TGD populations compared to cisgender populations.
