LGBTQ+ Youth Are Uncomfortable in Their Own Skin

February 17, 2023

Data from a new study suggests that young LGBTQ+ people in America aren’t comfortable in their own skin — literally.

The latest study results from the Trevor Project on LGBTQ Youth and Body Dissatisfaction are out.

Researchers found that some LGBTQ+ youth are overwhelmingly dissatisfied with their bodies, with trans and nonbinary youth showing even higher rates. Also, LGBTQ+ youth who reported body dissatisfaction were significantly more likely to have attempted suicide in the past year than those who expressed being satisfied.

The prevalence of recent depression symptoms for LGBTQ+ youth with body dissatisfaction was higher than for youth with body satisfaction. For LGBTQ+ youth who reported body dissatisfaction, 61 percent reported self-harm and 48 percent considered suicide in the last year. In comparison, 38 percent of LGBTQ+ youth who were satisfied with their bodies had self-harmed and 27 percent considered suicide, the study found.

LGBTQ+ youth who were dissatisfied with their bodies had a twice higher chance of having attempted suicide in the past year than LGBTQ teens who were satisfied with their bodies, according to the study.

The study notes that research shows that young people who receive gender-affirming care report improved body satisfaction.

Read more at Advocate.com.