Trans Teens in Sports Have Better Mental Health Outcomes According to Study

A new study by researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities describes sports participation for trans teens as being “associated with better mental health among TGD (transgender and gender diverse) adolescents.”

The wellness of transgender and gender-nonconforming minors and the unique challenges they face is unfortunately an ongoing, divisive topic of discussion. It is already understood that transgender people, particularly minors, are more likely to be depressed and attempt suicide in their lifetimes compared to cisgender people.

According to the study, there is “lower depression risk and reduced risk of suicidal ideation for TGD youth who played team sports compared to those who did not play.” This uplifting information comes at a time where 28 U.S. states have banned transgender athletes from competing in school sports, influenced by Donald Trump’s executive order threatening to defund schools that allow such participation.

Although sports participation is effective in improving mental health in trans teens, the study also suggests that preventing sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression-based bullying (SOGIE-BB) and bias-based bullying (BBB) is also paramount.

Trans teens may experience stigmatization and bullying in sports settings despite the social connection and physical activity. This could mitigate the positive impacts that sports have on mental health in trans teens.

Co-author and University of Minnesota associate professor Sarah Kaja addresses the controversy surrounding the trans sports debate, saying that, “As a lifelong female athlete who has played on girls’, women’s, and mixed-gender teams, I understand concerns of fairness and safety.”

“However,” Kaja continues, “the best available public health evidence from our lab and others suggests that across-the-board bans on trans girls and gender-diverse youth would be detrimental to adolescent health by further limiting participation and therefore exacerbating mental health concerns. If our goal is to improve adolescent mental health for all youth, expanding access to sports makes sense.”

Photo Credit: Katie Rainbow