Ethnic Differences in Gender Dysphoria

With the new revision of the DSM-5, research and theory related to the diagnosis of gender dysphoria (GD) have increased. Through debates and discussions of controversy with the GD diagnosis, knowledge of gender identity and psychopathology related to minority stress have also become more prevalent. One of the primary limitations noted in the majority of research on transgender issues and GD is the lack of inclusion of ethnic and racial minorities within samples; it is not uncommon for studies to report samples that are 80% or more White. The few studies that have focused on racial/ethnic differences for individuals diagnosed with GD indicate that having multiple minority statuses, specifically identifying as a racial or ethnic minority, increases the likelihood of anxiety and mood disorders and substance. Research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals indicates that multiple minority statuses lead to additive stressors that can increase mental health concerns due to experiencing proximal (internal stigma) and distal (actual discrimination) stressors. We discuss the reasons why psychopathology has been linked to minority individuals diagnosed with GD and provide recommendations for best practices to cultural competence for researchers and practitioners.