Predicting NSSI among trans young people: the role of transphobic experiences, body image, and gender dysphoria

BackgroundNon-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is particularly common among trans young people. NSSI is most commonly used as an emotion regulation strategy, which may explain the high prevalence of the behavior among trans young people, who often experience unique stressors. In the current study we test an application of the Pantheoretical Framework of Dehumanization, in which transphobic experiences, body surveillance, body dissatisfaction, and gender dysphoria are all theorized to predict NSSI.Method923 trans people aged 14-25 (M age = 20.17, 83.7% lifetime history of NSSI) completed an online survey including measures of NSSI history and frequency, transphobic experiences, body surveillance, body dissatisfaction, and gender dysphoria.ResultsAll four predictor variables were positively associated with NSSI. Greater gender dysphoria and body surveillance were both associated with having a history of NSSI, while greater transphobic experiences and body dissatisfaction were both associated with more frequent NSSI. In addition, both transphobic experiences and body surveillance were associated with greater body dissatisfaction and gender dysphoria, and there was a positive relationship between body dissatisfaction and gender dysphoria themselves. We also found a number of significant indirect effects. Both transphobic experiences and body surveillance were associated with NSSI history through gender dysphoria, and with NSSI frequency through body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction also mediated the relationship between body surveillance and gender dysphoria.ConclusionThe results of this study provide support for our application of the Pantheoretical Framework of Dehumanization and present novel findings regarding the role of gender dysphoria in NSSI among trans young people.