How Childhood Maltreatment Contributes to Explaining Depressive Symptoms in Transgender and Gender-Diverse Individuals

The findings extend prior prevalence-focused research by identifying specific childhood trauma pathways associated with depressive symptoms in TGD adults. Experiencing traumatic events during childhood may be a key factor contributing to an increased risk of depression in adulthood, particularly among the TGD population. Therefore, intervention and prevention programs should target TGD individuals and their families to minimize the risk of adverse childhood experiences and mental health disorders. The results underscore the importance of trauma-informed and gender-affirming mental health care and highlight emotional abuse as a particularly salient correlate of depression in this population.