In one of the most comprehensive studies on transgender youth in the United States, a research team from The University of Texas at Austin discovered just how beneficial it is for the mental health of young trans people to be called by their chosen name (as opposed to the name they were given at birth).
Many trans people change their name when they begin to identify as transgender, using a new name that they feel is more inline with their gender identity. Many individuals though, whether purposefully or accidentally, deadname transgender people (meaning that they call trans folks by their birth name as opposed to their chosen name).
UT's research team wanted to see the mental health impact of deadnaming transgender youth, and they did this by asking whether young people could use their chosen name at school, home, work, and with friends. Respondents who were able to chose their name in any context had experienced 71% fewer symptoms of severe depression, a 34% decrease in reported thoughts of suicide, and a 65% decrease in suicidal attempts.
Read that again: 71% fewer symptoms of severe depression, a 34% decrease in reported thoughts of suicide, and a 65% decrease in suicidal attempts.
"I’ve been doing research on LGBT youth for almost 20 years now, and even I was surprised by how clear that link was," said Stephen T. Russell, the lead author of the paper and professor and chair of human development and family science.
This research goes to show just how necessary it is to allow transgender youth and teens to use their chosen names. In fact, doing so maybe even save their lives.
Read the whole study in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
