The key to happiness for transgender kids is simple: acceptance.

New research from the TransYouth Project published in the journal Pediatrics says that children who live openly as transgender aren’t more anxious or depressed than other kids, so long as they have supportive families.

The report comes on the heels of several studies that highlight higher rates of suicide and depression in transgender people, raising concerns about the mental health of individuals who don’t identify with the sex they were born into.

Dr. Kristina Olson from the University of Washington led the study, telling NBC News, “The thinking has always been that kids who are not acting gender-stereotypically are basically destined to have mental health problems. In our study, that’s not the case.”

The research examined 73 transgender children between the ages of three and 12, as well their own siblings and gender conforming kids as control groups. The study found that the trans children averaged a depression score of 50.1 on a National Institutes of Health Scale, not much of a difference from the national norm of 50, reports NBC News. Parents were also surveyed on any symptoms of anxiety or depression exhibited by their transgender children in the past week.

The research is the first of its kind, acting as the inaugural large-scale and national study to examine the development of non-conforming youths. The University of Washington team is also working on research about the origins of anti-transgender sentiments, as well continued recruitment for more transgender participants.

The research team will continue to follow the children from the study to see how they progress over time, especially as they approach their adolescence. Soon, the team plans to direct projects toward teenagers.

Olson said that while there is still much to learn about transgender children, the study shows it’s possible that this generation will be able to live happier lives than their predecessors.

“I think they’re proof that you can be a young transgender kid today and be happy and healthy and doing just as well as any other kid,” Olson said in a news release from the University of Washington. “It’s some good news, finally, which I don’t think there’s much of in what we hear about transgender kids.”

Instant Insights /

Transgender kids no more anxious, depressed than other children

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