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Cited by 142LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyRacial and Ethnic Identity ResearchGender, Sexuality, and Education

Invalidation experiences among non-binary adolescents

Johnson, Kelly C., LeBlanc, Allen J., Deardorff, Julianna, Bockting, Walter O.·2020·The Journal of Sex Research
DOI 10.1080/00224499.2019.1608422
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Abstract

Mental health disparities among transgender adolescents are well documented and have generally been attributed to minority stress. However, significantly less is known about the minority stress experiences of non-binary adolescents or those who do not identify as exclusively male or female. This study qualitatively explored the unique ways that non-binary adolescents experience minority stress and how it influences their mental health and well-being. Lifeline methodology and photo elicitation were used to interview 14 ethnically diverse non-binary adolescents between the ages of 16 and 20, residing in New York City (NYC) and the San Franscicso Bay Area (SFBA). We present participants' experiences using a novel construct of invalidation, defined as the refusal to accept one's identity as real or true. Our findings indicate that invalidation is conceptually distinct from the established minority stressor of "non-affirmation." Non-binary adolescents experienced myriad forms of invalidation within multiple social contexts, which contributed to negative affective and cognitive processes, including confusion, self-doubt, rumination, and internalized shame. For many participants, the cumulative stressors related to invalidation contributed to poor mental health outcomes. Data from this study suggest that identity invalidation is a unique form of minority stress that may especially affect non-binary individuals, with significant implications for their social and emotional well-being.

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Authors
Johnson, K. C., LeBlanc, A. J., Deardorff, J., & Bockting, W. O.
Affiliations
  • San Francisco State University (US)
  • University of California, Berkeley (US)
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Johnson, Kelly C.
ORCID
Venue
The Journal of Sex Research
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2019-05-09
Volume
57
Issue
2
Pages
222-233
ISSN
  • 0022-4499 (ISSN-L)
  • 1559-8519
DOI
10.1080/00224499.2019.1608422
OpenAlex
W2944186746
Cited by
142
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 33 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 4
FWCI
12.88
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journal of Sex Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Racial and Ethnic Identity Research
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Gender, Sexuality, and Education
Keywords
minority stress, mental health disparities, internalized shame, self-doubt, rumination, social rejection, gender identity, photo-elicitation
MeSH terms
Self-Control, Adolescent, Affective Symptoms, Aggression, Defense Mechanisms, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Health, Minority Groups, New York City, San Francisco, Sexual Partners, Stress, Psychological, Young Adult, Social Stigma, Transgender Persons

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