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Symposia

LGBTQ+

Stronger Together: The Protective Role of Community Connectedness in Disordered Eating Among Sexual and Gender Minority Populations

1 - (SYM 42) Individual and Community Resilience Factors in Body Image and Disordered Eating Among TNB Adolescents

Saturday, November 22, 2025
11:51 AM - 12:12 PM CST
Location: Celestin G, Level 3
Keywords: LGBTQ+, Eating, Resilience
Recommended Readings: Lefevor, G. T., Sorrell, S. A., Skidmore, S. J., Huynh, K. D., Golightly, R. M., Standifird, E., Searle, K., & Call, M. (2024). When connecting with LGBTQ+ communities helps and why it does: A meta-analysis of the relationship between connectedness and health-related outcomes. Psychological Bulletin, 150(11), 1261-1286. https://doi.org/10.1037/bul0000447,   Meyer, I. H. (2015). Resilience in the study of minority stress and health of sexual and gender minorities. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, 2(3), 209-213. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000132,   Parker, L. L., & Harriger, J. A. (2020). Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in the LGBT population: a review of the literature. Journal of Eating Disorders, 8, 51. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-020-00327-y,   ,  
Abstract Body



Introduction: Transgender and nonbinary (TNB) youth experience elevated risk of disordered eating. Drivers of this risk, including exposure to gender-related stigma and systemic discrimination over time, remain poorly understood, as do protective factors that buffer against these risks. This analysis examines associations between gender-related stigma and body image and disordered eating in a longitudinal study of TNB youth while considering protective factors of gender identity pride, community connectedness, and social support.



Methods: Participants include 30 TNB youth aged 13-17 years from the U.S. New England region who completed online surveys every 6-8 months from December 2015 to February 2019. Linear and logistic models with generalized estimating equations examined longitudinal associations between gender-related stigma (i.e., non-affirmation of gender identity and internalized cissexism) and the following outcomes: binge eating, dieting, or vomiting in the past 6 months; and both general and trans-specific body image concerns. Gender identity pride, community connectedness, and social support were hypothesized to mediate the relationship between the predictors and outcomes.



Results: Throughout the current study, 20–40% reported dieting, 4–10% reported vomiting for weight control, and 8–23% endorsed binge eating. We did not observe any significant quantitative associations between community connectedness and social support with disordered eating; however, qualitative evidence indicated these as important protective factors. Additionally, participants endorsed high levels of support from their parents. Gender identity pride attenuated associations between internalized cissexism and body image concerns. Furthermore, gender identity pride was associated with fewer trans-specific body image concerns and fewer instances of vomiting for weight control.



Conclusions: These findings emphasize the importance of pride, community connectedness, and social support as protective factors of disordered eating. These resilience-promoting factors should be the foci of therapeutic and medical interventions, and it is pivotal that policymakers increase access to screening, treatment, and communal spaces; provide funding to LGBTQIA+ community organizations that foster identity pride; and dismantle systemic anti-transgender discrimination.