Exploring Health and Transition-Related Needs in Polish Transgender and Non-Binary Individuals
Authors: Koziara Karolina , Mijas Magdalena Ewa , Wycisk Jowita , Pliczko Mateusz Piotr , Grabski Bartosz 
Published: June 2021

Background

Gender diverse individuals constitute a substantial yet still understudied population. Particularly little is known about gender non-binary people whose health needs have only recently gained attention from clinicians.

Aim

To investigate needs for gender-affirming interventions, selected health indicators and determinants in Polish gender non-binary individuals as compared to transgender men and transgender women.

Methods

We analyzed a subset of data from an online study on health in members of the Polish LGBTQ community. The sample consisted of 53 persons who self-identified as non-binary and 45 transgender men and transgender women. The uptake and the desire for gender-affirming medical interventions as well as selected health indicators were compared in non-binary and transgender persons. Additionally, regression models were conducted for depression, self-esteem and somatic symptoms severity as dependent variables, age as a covariate, and perceived stigma exposure, resilience and discomfort associated with current gender expression as predictors.

Outcomes

Outcomes such as desire for gender-affirming medical interventions and legal gender reassignment, symptoms of depression, resilience, physical symptoms severity, and perceived stigma exposure were captured in self-reported questionnaires.

RESULTS

Compared to the transgender men and transgender women, the non-binary participants of the study significantly less often pursued or desired gender-affirming medical interventions and legal gender reassignment. The non-binary participants also felt significantly more discomfort with their current gender expression. They were also characterized by increased expectations of rejection, vicarious trauma associated with being an LGBTQ person, and by decreased resilience compared to the transgender men and transgender women. Non-binary identity and individual resilience predicted higher self-esteem and decreased depression in the sample. The severity of physical symptoms was predicted by perceived stigma exposure (positively) and by resilience (negatively).

Clinical Implications

Polish non-binary individuals may constitute a vulnerable population in terms of greater perceived exposure to stigma and decreased individual resilience. Both transgender and non-binary individuals seek gender-affirming interventions and legal gender reassignment; the latter group, however, does so significantly less often.

Strengths & Limitations

We analyzed the data from a unique and understudied Polish population. By exploring the diversity within the transgender and non-binary community, we add to the ongoing discussion on transgender and non-binary health. The major limitations of the study are convenience sampling, cross-sectional design, and limited sample size.

CONCLUSION

Non-binary individuals constitute a distinct population in terms of psychosocial and health-related characteristics. Clinicians should be aware of their needs and the challenges they face in association with living in a predominantly gender binary-oriented society.