Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online 2018-05
Associations Between the Length of Time from Transgender Identity Recognition to Hormone Initiation and Smoking Among Transgender Youth and Young Adults
Gender-affirming medical interventions have been associated with mental health improvements among transgender individuals. However, little is known about optimal timing of these interventions as they relate to stress-sensitive behaviors such as smoking.
Methods:
We analyzed electronic health record data from transgender youth and young adults to examine whether longer duration from transgender identity recognition to hormone initiation was associated with smoking behaviors.
Results:
Longer duration from age of identity recognition to age of cross-sex hormone initiation was associated with increased odds of current and lifetime smoking.
Conclusion:
Future research should investigate other potential risk factors associated with transgender-specific stressors for this population.
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