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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

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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

42%

of transgender adults have attempted suicide

11%

of cisgender adults have attempted it

56%

have engaged in non-suicidal self-injury

12%

of cisgender adults have engaged in self-injury

Please contact our communications office to request a copy of this study.

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