RESULTS: Exposure to childhood physical, psychological, and sexual
abuse, and probable PTSD were elevated in youth in the top decile
of childhood gender nonconformity compared with youth below median nonconformity. Abuse victimization disparities partly mediated
PTSD disparities by gender nonconformity. Gender nonconformity predicted increased risk of lifetime probable PTSD in youth after adjustment for sexual orientation.
CONCLUSIONS: We identify gender nonconformity as an indicator of
children at increased risk of abuse and probable PTSD. Pediatricians
and school health providers should consider abuse screening for this
vulnerable population. Further research to understand how gender
nonconformity might increase risk of abuse and to develop family interventions to reduce abuse risk is needed.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2012/02/15/peds.2011-1804.full.pdf+html