The Effects of Cyberbullying and Non-consensual Sexting on Gender Minority Stress and Psychological Functioning in Transgender Adults

Abstract

Despite the comparative safety of online environments, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people can be exposed to cyberbullying and non-consensual sexting. An online survey of 146 TGD adults examined whether this contributes to gender minority stress. Multiple mediation analyses revealed links between cyberbullying and gender victimization, and between non-consensual sexting and victimization, discrimination, and gender rejection. These forms of gender minority stress fully mediated paths from cyberbullying and sexting to psychological distress in both gender binary and non-binary TGD people. Results are discussed from the perspective of trans-affirming counselors seeking to understand emerging online threats to their clients’ mental health.