Mental Health Outcomes in Gender Diverse Autistic Individuals Higher Than Expected

Strategic Insights -

Research has shown that individuals who are both autistic and gender diverse are more vulnerable to experiencing mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicidality. A systematic review of 12 studies found that gender diverse autistic individuals had poorer mental health outcomes compared to cisgender autistic individuals, gender-diverse non-autistic individuals, and cisgender non-autistic individuals. The review, conducted by researchers from the University of Edinburgh, aimed to assess the mental health outcomes in gender diverse autistic individuals and identify any potential factors that may influence these outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Gender diverse autistic individuals are at a higher risk of developing mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and suicidality, compared to other groups.
  • A systematic review of 12 studies found that gender diverse autistic individuals had poorer mental health outcomes compared to cisgender autistic individuals, gender-diverse non-autistic individuals, and cisgender non-autistic individuals.
  • The most common health outcomes studied in the review were depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
  • The review found that gender diverse autistic individuals were particularly vulnerable to experiencing mental health problems, with 7 out of 12 studies showing poorer mental health outcomes compared to cisgender autistic individuals, and 8 out of 12 studies showing poorer mental health outcomes compared to gender-diverse non-autistic individuals.
  • The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023408287) and used search terms relating to autism, gender diversity, and mental health.
  • The research was conducted by Ewelina Rydzewska from the University of Edinburgh, along with Ashleigh Simpson, Mikayla Van Rensburg, and Ling Ding.

Statistics:

  • 12 studies were included in the review, with 820 papers initially retrieved from the databases MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL.
  • Studies found that gender diverse autistic individuals had poorer mental health outcomes compared to all other groups, with 7 out of 12 studies showing poorer outcomes compared to cisgender autistic individuals, 8 out of 12 studies showing poorer outcomes compared to gender-diverse non-autistic individuals, and 6 out of 12 studies showing poorer outcomes compared to cisgender non-autistic individuals.
  • The review focused on depression, anxiety, and suicidality as the most common health outcomes studied.

Sources:

  • The Prevalence of Coexisting Mental Health Conditions In Gender Diverse Autistic People: a Systematic Review. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 2024;116.
  • Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Elsevier Sci Ltd. 125 London Wall, London, England. (www.elsevier.com; www.journals.elsevier.com/research-in-autism-spectrum-disorders/)