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Psychological wellbeing outcomes across genders in childhood and adolescence aged 8–18 years: a population-level perspective

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Listed:
  • Boulton, Zara
  • Brushe, Mary
  • Riggs, Damien W.
  • Lin, Ashleigh
  • Davies, Cristyn
  • Gregory, Tess

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the difference in levels of psychological wellbeing outcomes of binary and non-binary transgender and cisgender students aged 8–18 years in South Australia using population-level data. Student’s gender was imputed based on their self-reported gender (male, female, other) and parent-reported gender at school enrolment (male, female). Two groups represented cisgender students (n = 64,467), while four groups represented transgender and non-binary students (transgender boys, transgender girls, non-binary students presumed male at birth, non-binary students presumed female at birth; n = 1,016). A descriptive analysis was conducted to calculate the difference in levels of low, medium, and high psychological wellbeing across five outcomes: life satisfaction, optimism, happiness, sadness, and worries. Most transgender groups reported poorer outcomes than cisgender groups across most wellbeing indicators. Non-binary students, particularly those presumed female at birth, had the poorest psychological wellbeing outcomes. Like prior research, students with a gender other than male or female reported substantially poorer outcomes, indicating a need for holistic school and community services that assist transgender-specific social-emotional needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Boulton, Zara & Brushe, Mary & Riggs, Damien W. & Lin, Ashleigh & Davies, Cristyn & Gregory, Tess, 2026. "Psychological wellbeing outcomes across genders in childhood and adolescence aged 8–18 years: a population-level perspective," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:181:y:2026:i:c:s0190740925006115
    DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2025.108728
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    References listed on IDEAS

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