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DuBois LZ, Puckett JA, Jolly D, Powers S, Walker T, Hope DA, Mocarski R, Huit TZ, Lash BR, Holt N, Ralston A, Miles M, Capannola A, Tipton C, Eick G, Juster RP. Gender minority stress and diurnal cortisol profiles among transgender and gender diverse people in the United States. Horm Behav 2024; 159:105473. [PMID: 38190769 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The field of behavioral neuroendocrinology has only begun to explore the lived experiences of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people exposed to stigma. In light of escalating attacks and legislation targeting TGD people in the United States, it is crucial to examine the physiological pathways through which gender minority stressors become embodied, impact health, and contribute to health inequities. The Trans Resilience and Health Study included baseline data collection from fall 2019 to spring 2020 from a sample of 124 TGD people, reflecting a diversity of gender identities (e.g., trans masculine, trans feminine, and nonbinary) and ages (range = 19-70 years old; M = 34.10), living in Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, and Tennessee. These analyses examine experiences of gender-related enacted stigma in association with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis functioning. Among those experiencing the highest levels of enacted stigma, findings show a blunted cortisol awakening response and sluggish daily decline that resulted in elevated concentrations at bedtime compared to those experiencing less enacted stigma. These results of flattened diurnal activity are consistent with an emergent literature on discrimination as a social determinant of potential stress pathophysiology. In contrast, community connectedness was associated with a larger, more dynamic cortisol awakening response. These findings emphasize the importance of incorporating gender-minority stress and resilience measures when studying HPA-axis functioning among TGD people.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Zachary DuBois
- Department of Anthropology, 1218 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, United States.
| | - Jae A Puckett
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 316 Physics Road, East Lansing, MI 48824, United States.
| | - Dee Jolly
- Department of Anthropology, 1218 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, United States.
| | - Sally Powers
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 135 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003, United States.
| | - Tian Walker
- Department of Anthropology, 1218 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, United States.
| | - Debra A Hope
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnette Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States; Office of Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States.
| | - Richard Mocarski
- Office of Research, San José State University, One Washington Square, San José, CA, United States.
| | - T Zachary Huit
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnette Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Brenna R Lash
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnette Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Natalie Holt
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnette Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Allura Ralston
- Department of Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 238 Burnette Hall, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
| | - Makinna Miles
- College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, 160 SW 26th St, Corvallis, OR 97331, United States
| | - A Capannola
- Department of Child & Family Studies, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 1215 W. Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
| | - Clove Tipton
- Department of Sociology, The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, 901 McClung Tower, Knoxville, TN 37996, United States.
| | - Geeta Eick
- Department of Anthropology, 1218 University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, United States
| | - Robert-Paul Juster
- Department of Psychiatry and Addiction, University of Montreal, Research Center of the Montreal Mental Health University Institute, 7331 Hochelaga, FS-145-12, Montreal, Quebec H1N 3V2, Canada.
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