Report

Prevalence of Substance Use and Mental Health Problems among Transgender and Cisgender US Adults

July 2023

Using data from the U.S. Transgender Population Health Survey, this study examines the prevalence of hazardous drinking, problematic drug use, serious psychological distress, suicidality, and non-suicidal self-injury among transgender and cisgender adults. It appeared in Psychiatry Research in July 2023.

AUTHORS
  • Jeremy D. Kidd
    Assistant Professor, Columbia University
  • Nicky A. Tettamanti
    Public Health Professional, Columbia University
  • Roma Kaczmarkiewicz
    Research Assistant, New York State Psychiatric Institute
  • Thomas E. Corbeil
    Biostatistician, New York State Psychiatric Institute
  • Jordan D. Dworkin
    Biostatistician, Columbia University
  • Kasey B. Jackman
    Assistant Professor, Columbia University
  • Tonda L. Hughes
    Director, Global Health Research, Columbia University
  • Walter O. Bockting
    Co-Director, Program for the Study of LGBT Health
  • Ilan H. Meyer
    Distinguished Senior Scholar of Public Policy
Highlights
Transgender and cisgender adults reported similar rates of hazardous drinking and problematic drug use.
Transgender people were significantly more likely to experience poor mental health during their lifetimes.
Transgender nonbinary adults reported the highest rates of substance use and poor mental health.
Data Points
81%
of transgender adults in the U.S. have thought about suicide
35%
of cisgender adults have thought about it

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Prevalence of Substance Use and Mental Health Problems among Transgender and Cisgender US Adults