Gender-Diverse Youths Reported More Psychotic-Like Experiences - Summary - MDSpire

Gender-Diverse Youths Reported More Psychotic-Like Experiences

Longitudinal cohort data linked bullying and persistently unsupportive state gender-identity policies with worsening psychotic-like experiences among gender-diverse youths.

  • By

  • Andrea Surnit

  • May 21, 2026

  • 4 min

Share

Objective:

To investigate the association between bullying victimization, state gender-identity policy environments, and psychotic-like experiences among gender-diverse youths, specifically focusing on those assigned female at birth.

Key Findings:
  • Mean psychotic-like experience score was 7.5 for the most gender-diverse youths compared to 2.0 for the least gender-diverse.
  • Bullying victimization scores were 4.6 for the most gender-diverse compared to 2.8 for the least.
  • The most gender-diverse group scored 0.78 standard deviations higher on psychotic-like experiences than the least gender-diverse group.
  • Longitudinal analyses indicated that psychotic-like experiences increased over time among the most gender-diverse youths in low-support policy environments.
Interpretation:

The study suggests that bullying victimization and unsupportive state policies contribute to higher psychotic-like experiences in gender-diverse youths, highlighting the need for targeted mental health assessments and interventions.

Limitations:
  • Observational study design limits causal conclusions.
  • Participants excluded due to incomplete data may differ significantly from the broader cohort.
  • The policy metric reflects overall legislative climate rather than individual laws.
  • Potential biases in self-reporting may affect the accuracy of psychotic-like experience assessments.
Conclusion:

The findings emphasize the importance of considering social and political environments in the mental health care of gender-diverse youths, particularly in shaping supportive policies.

Original Source(s)

Gender-Diverse Youths Reported More Psychotic-Like Experiences

  • by Andrea Surnit

  • May 21, 2026

Related Content

Anxiety, Depression Higher in Health Workers

National survey data also suggested lower treatment rates among health care workers with either condition.

Body Dysmorphic Symptoms Linked to Brain Structure

Researchers reported gender-specific associations in visual and limbic brain regions among healthy adults with subclinical body dysmorphic symptoms.

Urine Markers May Aid Psych Diagnosis

Genetically predicted urinary metabolite levels were associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anorexia nervosa in a Mendelian randomization analysis.