Youth and Teens, Well-Being

Much of the research on trans youth and teens focuses on the presence of physical and mental health burdens, such as suicidality, depression, and anxiety. Thus, the research on trans youth is often driven by understanding rates and risks of illness and health-compromising behaviors rather than examining positive experiences: namely, experiences of happiness, good health, and ability to cope with stressors. In this entry, well-being is defined as being multidimensional such that it encompasses psychological, physical, and relational domains. For the purposes of this entry, psychological well-being includes positive affect and life satisfaction, as well as abilities to cope with stressors; physical well-being includes engagement in behaviors that maintain or improve physical functioning, as well as subjective ratings of overall health; and relational well-being includes ...