Given that transgender and non-binary populations face disproportionately adverse mental health and health behavior outcomes, a comprehensive synthesis of the growing body of interventions in this domain is required. Here we conducted a systematic review (k = 68; n = 17,023) and meta-analysis (k = 20; n = 5,315) to characterize existing mental health and health behavior interventions and evaluate their efficacy among transgender and non-binary populations. Most studies focused on transgender women (k = 30, 44.12%) and human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection prevention or care (k = 42, 61.76%).
Overall, interventions had a small, significant effect size at post-intervention compared with active controls in randomized controlled trials (k = 9, Hedges’ g = 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0.06–0.35, P = 0.005), with briefer interventions yielding greater efficacy (P = 0.015). Subgroup analysis found that empowerment and skills-based interventions had a significant positive effect at post-intervention (k = 6, g = 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.024–0.36, P = 0.024). Future research should address gaps with transgender men, non-binary individuals and youth and expand beyond human immunodeficiency virus/sexually transmitted infection prevention toward mental health, sexual wellness and quality of life outcomes.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution Receive 12 digital issues and online access to articles Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout The study protocol is available on PROSPERO at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/338770. The datasets generated and analyzed in the meta-analysis are publicly available via GitHub at http://github.com/Global-Mental-Health-Flourishing-Lab/TGNB-Review. The code used for data cleaning and meta-analysis are available publicly via GitHub at http://github.com/Global-Mental-Health-Flourishing-Lab/TGNB-Review/blob/4e21315d7caf720b82699e345e8a97a3f1392793/R%20Code%20Git.Rmd.
CDC https://www.cdc.gov/mental-health/about/index.html (2025). Labels, systems and motives: some perspectives for future research and programs. Millet, N., Longworth, J. & Arcelus, J.
Prevalence of anxiety symptoms and disorders in the transgender population: a systematic review of the literature. Transgend. 18, 27–38 (2017). Mental health of transgender youth in care at an adolescent urban community health center: a matched retrospective cohort study.
Health 56, 274–279 (2015). Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar McNeil, J., Ellis, S. Suicide in trans populations: a systematic review of prevalence and correlates.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
