Exploring Gender Diverse Young People’s Experiences of the UK’s Socio-Political Context and Its Impact on Their Mental Health and Identity: A Narrative Study

Emerging adulthood (ages 18-25) may represent a particularly challenging period for gender-diverse individuals, with research documenting elevated levels of stigma and mental health distress. Research in the United States (US) has begun to illustrate how socio-political contexts can shape mental health and identity in this group. To date, no studies have explored these factors in the United Kingdom (UK). Considering the rapidly changing landscape in social opinion and policy in the UK, this study aimed to understand how this socio-political context affects the mental health and identity of gender-diverse young adults aged 18-25. Eight gender-diverse participants aged 18-25 were recruited using purposive sampling to complete a four-week diary, followed by an individual semi-structured interview, with an optional member reflection meeting following data analysis. Interviews were analysed using narrative analysis and reflexive thematic analysis. The findings identified three overarching narrative typologies: precarity and anticipated regression; contagion harm; and inward-turning media and political discourses. Five themes were generated from these narrative typologies: the reversibility of rights; from policy to everyday policing; scapegoating and moral panic; systems of dehumanisation and harm; and internalised self-doubt and suspected threat. These findings build upon existing gender-diverse minority stress frameworks by illuminating how socio-political environments may shape gender-diverse individuals' identity development and mental health. Implications include recognising the harm of these discourses in everyday life and the need for mental health services to recognise and intervene in the context of socio-political stressors and address internalising states.