Internalized Transnegativity, Resilience Factors, and Mental Health in a Sample of Gender Minorities From Germany and Switzerland

Background: Trans*, inter*, and nonbinary individuals experience discrimination and exhibit a higher prevalence of affective and anxiety disorders than the general population. Objective: Based on the minority stress model, this preregistered study examines the association between self-stigmatization (internalized transphobia) and mental health and investigates resilience factors as moderators. Methods: In a sample of German and Swiss trans*, inter*, and nonbinary individuals (N = 243), we computed multiple linear regression and moderation analyses to examine the relationships between internalized transphobia, depressive and anxiety symptoms, and resilience factors. Results: The results show associations between internalized transphobia and depressive and anxiety symptoms. The resilience factors social support and LGBT+ community connectedness are negatively associated with internalized transphobia. None of the resilience factors moderated the relationships between internalized transphobia and mental health. Conclusions: This study aligns with international findings regarding the association between self-stigmatization and mental health. Further research is needed to clarify the role of resilience factors in the minority stress model.