Allostatic load and psychological characteristics of transgender individuals. Preliminary case-control findings

Abstract

Despite considerable social progress, transgender people still face multiple chronic stressors. This study evaluated the allostatic load index and assessed specific psychological characteristics between transgender and cisgender participants who were matched based on age and assigned-at-birth gender. Twenty-one transgender people (52.3 % transgender women, mean age 22.7 years) and 21 cisgender people (52.3 % cisgender women, mean age 23.1 years) participated. For both groups, allostatic load was assessed using circulating serum biomarkers, and psychological characteristics using a battery of self-reports on perceived stress, anxiety, depressive symptomatology, and quality of life. Mann Whitney U and chi square tests were performed. The allostatic load index of transgender people was significantly higher compared to their cisgender counterparts (U = 62.00, p < 0.001), and significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the majority of the assessed psychological characteristics for both cohorts. Between-group comparisons revealed greater perceived stress, higher state and trait anxiety scores, increased depressive symptomatology, and lower quality of life in all dimensions assessed (p < 0.001), except for the environmental conditions (p = 0.561). The findings underscore the potential physiological and psychological burden experienced by transgender compared to cisgender individuals, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and inclusive policies to address these disparities. Cohort studies with larger samples are necessary to increase clinicians’ insight regarding the pathophysiological challenges of transgender people.