P4.068: Impact of community violence prevention programing on North Texas transgender youths’ social and emotional health

Background: One in 12 U.S. high school students has experienced physical or sexual relationship violence, and those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+) have higher rates of relationship violence compared with their heterosexual peers. Additionally, LGBTQ+ youth experience higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use compared with their straight, cisgender peers, all of which have been shown to be risk factors for experiencing and perpetuating intimate partner violence. These concerning outcomes present a critical need for violence prevention programs, particularly those centered on the needs of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth.

Methods: In partnership with Resource Center, Dallas, Texas’s LGBTQ+ Community Center, we created a year-long curriculum for their weekly Gender Identity (GI) night for TGD youth 12-18 years old with the goals of (1) promoting healthy norms, (2) decreasing high-risk behaviors, (3) teaching life skills and resilience, and (4) fostering self-confidence. The program was evaluated through survey data and individual interviews with youth participants.

Results: At the beginning of the project (July 2023), twenty-two youth completed a preliminary needs survey to characterize youth’s attitude towards and expectations of GI. Fourteen youth participated in end of year evaluative interviews about GI programming (May 2024). Of the youth interviewed, 71% identified as white, 14% Asian, 7% Black, 7% Hispanic, 57% transgender boys/men, 14% transgender girls/women, and 29% non-binary or other gender. Themes that emerged included (1) finding community and support, (2) recognizing the importance of skills related to understanding emotions, communication, and developing healthy relationships, and (3) positive impact on mental health.

Conclusion: Violence prevention programming given weekly to TGD youth in an LGBTQ+ community center increase TGD youths' resilience, emotional intelligence, and sense of community. Outside of programming, weekly meetings allow youth to both show each other support during difficult periods and celebrate each other’s trans joy.