The DOI matches its Crossref record; 39 of the 42 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Transgender adolescents’ uses of social media for social support
Abstract
Purpose Transgender adolescents are at higher risk for negative mental health outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality, compared with cisgender adolescents. Social media may be an effective venue for addressing these health disparities because most adolescents have access to online information and socialization. This study used qualitative inquiry to explore transgender adolescents' uses of social media for social support.Methods Transgender adolescents between the ages of 15 and 18 years with a social media profile were recruited from a pediatric gender clinic in the Midwestern U.S. A 30- to 60-minute semistructured interview assessed ways participants used social media to access transgender-related support. Thematic analysis was used to develop categories and code the transcripts. Coding discrepancies were resolved by two researchers following initial coding.Results Results represent data from 25 interviews comprising 13 transmasculine, 11 transfeminine, and one nonbinary participant(s), with 68% of the sample identifying as white, non-Hispanic. Categories emerged regarding forms of support participants received from transgender-related online communities including emotional support through peers and role models, appraisal support for validating their experiences, and informational support for navigating health decisions and educating family and friends. Participants also referenced negative experiences, including harassment and exclusionary behavior online.Conclusions Social media platforms represent hubs of community for transgender adolescents. These communities provide emotional, appraisal, and informational support that transgender youth may not otherwise be able to access. Future research should use the affordances of social media to identify approaches to addressing health disparities and improving the well-being of transgender adolescents.
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In the citing paper
“Conversely, online communities can provide TGD individuals with access to social support and connection with their peers that they might not otherwise have, reducing social isolation [27,28].”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“However, for TGD individuals seeking to connect with peers online, observing harmful or negative content regarding TGD people may act as a barrier to online social support [27].”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“Online TGD spaces can facilitate a sense of community for TGD individuals who might otherwise be isolated from the wider TGD community”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“these spaces are often the first point of contact for TGD individuals beginning to challenge or explore their gender identity [12,27,28].”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“which often takes the form of identity policing in which individuals are judged and attacked for aspects of their identity, due to a focus on a perceived correct way to be transgender [27].”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“TGD people may also fall victim to lateral violence within the TGD community”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“Additionally, this study found within-community victimization, consistent with previous research, and primarily focused on the identity policing and gatekeeping of TGD spaces [27].”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
In the citing paper
“This is consistent with research into adolescent LGBT populations, whereby some transgender youth indicated that seeing hurtful or harmful content regarding transgender people is common and considered normative, which seems to be even more salient in this adult sample [27].”
From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Diamond, L. M., & Alley, J. (2022) · Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104720 · Cited by 412
Zhong, B., Huang, Y., & Liu, Q. (2020) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2020.106524 · Cited by 347
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Metadata
- Authors
- Selkie, E., Adkins, V., Masters, E., Bajpai, A., & Shumer, D.
- Affiliations
- University of Michigan (US)
- Oberlin College (US)
- Oakland University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Selkie, Ellen
- Venue
- Journal of Adolescent Health
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-03
- Volume
- 66
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 275-280
- ISSN
- 1054-139X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2985680313
- Cited by
- 256
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 26 · 2025: 57 · 2024: 62 · 2023: 41 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 30 · 2020: 9
- FWCI
- 22.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of Michigan
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
- Keywords
- transgender youth, social media, social support, online communities, emotional support, appraisal support, information support, online harassment, exclusion, mental health disparities, non-binary youth, gender-affirming care
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Female, Gender Identity, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Social Support, Transsexualism, Qualitative Research, Social Media, Transgender Persons
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