Understanding suicide risk among transgender people in Sweden

While previous research has established that there are disparities in suicide outcomes among transgender people in Sweden, there are considerable gaps in this knowledge.

Many of the previous studies have relied on cross-sectional, self-report data, preventing the evaluation of longitudinal trends.

Recent events, such as rise of COVID19, pose considerable external stress on vulnerable populations, but the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health of transgender people in Sweden is unknown.

The added complexity of recent shifts in media attention and healthcare policy that add a potential social stressor on the lives of transgender people points to a need for more current evaluation of suicide trends in this population.Research problem and specific questions: We aim to provide scientifically robust answers to address these knowledge gaps and specifically determine i) whether socioeconomic characteristics, psychiatric diagnoses and experienced violence associated with the risk of attempted and completed suicide among transgender people, ii) whether the risk of suicidal behavior (attempted and completed suicide) is lower in transgender individuals with gender-affirming treatment compared to transgender people without treatment, their siblings without GD and the general population, iii) whether transgender people in Sweden experienced disproportionate risk for suicidal behavior following the COVID19 pandemic, and iv) whether media coverage and policy changes to gender affirming treatment are associated with suicidal behavior among transgender people.Data and Method: We will utilize register-based data (10 000 individuals with GD, their siblings, and 200 000 controls), with the adequate statistical power to evaluate our aims, including evaluating risk for the more severe but infrequent outcome of suicide.Social relevance and utility: The generated new knowledge will be an important scientific contribution to further our understanding of suicide outcomes among marginalized populations.

This knowledge can also provide insight for key areas of preventive interventions of attempted and completed suicide.Implementation: To successfully complete this proposed project, Kristen Clark will dedicate 100% of her time, in collaboration with statistical support and research mentorship (Fotis Papadopoulos), to conduct the analysis and dissemination of the four proposed studies.