Gender congruence and mental health problems among Chinese transgender and gender non-conforming individuals: A process model involving rumination and stigma consciousness.

OBJECTIVE

The present study examined the roles of gender identity rumination and stigma consciousness in the relationship between gender congruence (comfort with one's gender identity and external appearance) and mental health problems (anxiety and depression).

METHODS

Three hundred and fourteen Chinese individuals identified as transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals were recruited through the Internet and answered an online questionnaire (Mage  = 24.34 years, standard deviation = 5.80).

RESULTS

Gender congruence was associated with anxiety and depression through three indirect pathways: rumination, stigma consciousness, and sequentially through rumination and stigma consciousness.

CONCLUSION

Gender congruence is an intrapersonal resource that reduces mental health problems through its positive impacts on the TGNC identity process. A more consistent feeling of gender, a lower level of rumination, and a reduced level of consciousness about stigma could be potential working points for interventions in the TGNC community to help alleviate their mental health problems.