Abstract
Autistic traits are over-represented in transgender populations, and gender variance is high in autistic individuals. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that the autism/transgender overlap is limited to individuals sex assigned female. Few studies, however, have investigated the impact of this overlap on mental health. This study therefore sought to investigate whether the autism/transgender overlap confers an increased risk of depression or anxiety. An online study of 727 individuals revealed a substantial overlap between transgender identity and autism, with increased autistic traits found in trans men compared to trans women. Depression and anxiety were highest in autistic-trans individuals, but no superadditive effect was observed. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the wider healthcare system.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 101466 |
| Journal | Research in autism spectrum disorders |
| Volume | 69 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2020 |
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Keywords
- Anxiety
- Autism
- Depression
- Gender identity
- Gender variance
- Transgender
Cite this
}
Autism and transgender identity : Implications for depression and anxiety. / Murphy, Jennifer; Prentice, Freya; Walsh, Reubs; Catmur, Caroline; Bird, Geoffrey.
In: Research in autism spectrum disorders, Vol. 69, 101466, 01.01.2020.Research output: Contribution to Journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Autism and transgender identity
T2 - Implications for depression and anxiety
AU - Murphy, Jennifer
AU - Prentice, Freya
AU - Walsh, Reubs
AU - Catmur, Caroline
AU - Bird, Geoffrey
PY - 2020/1/1
Y1 - 2020/1/1
N2 - Autistic traits are over-represented in transgender populations, and gender variance is high in autistic individuals. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that the autism/transgender overlap is limited to individuals sex assigned female. Few studies, however, have investigated the impact of this overlap on mental health. This study therefore sought to investigate whether the autism/transgender overlap confers an increased risk of depression or anxiety. An online study of 727 individuals revealed a substantial overlap between transgender identity and autism, with increased autistic traits found in trans men compared to trans women. Depression and anxiety were highest in autistic-trans individuals, but no superadditive effect was observed. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the wider healthcare system.
AB - Autistic traits are over-represented in transgender populations, and gender variance is high in autistic individuals. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that the autism/transgender overlap is limited to individuals sex assigned female. Few studies, however, have investigated the impact of this overlap on mental health. This study therefore sought to investigate whether the autism/transgender overlap confers an increased risk of depression or anxiety. An online study of 727 individuals revealed a substantial overlap between transgender identity and autism, with increased autistic traits found in trans men compared to trans women. Depression and anxiety were highest in autistic-trans individuals, but no superadditive effect was observed. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the wider healthcare system.
KW - Anxiety
KW - Autism
KW - Depression
KW - Gender identity
KW - Gender variance
KW - Transgender
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85073370024&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85073370024&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.rasd.2019.101466
DO - 10.1016/j.rasd.2019.101466
M3 - Article
VL - 69
JO - Research in autism spectrum disorders
JF - Research in autism spectrum disorders
SN - 1750-9467
M1 - 101466
ER -