Social Rejection in Minority Groups and Its Impact on Current and Future Mental Health: A Study in Transgender People

The study examined social rejection sensitivity in transgender individuals compared to cisgender individuals, using a sample of 128 participants. It found that transgender people exhibited longer fixation on social feedback and increased pupil dilation during negative feedback, indicating heightened sensitivity to social rejection. These physiological markers were linked to mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, at a 6-10 month follow-up. The study also explored the impact of gender-affirming hormone treatment (GAHT) on mental health, noting changes in mood and gaze behavior. Transgender participants showed longer fixation durations on feedback words and less focus on evaluators, suggesting a focus on feedback content. The study highlights the potential of using eye movements as a tool for mental health assessment and calls for further research on coping mechanisms and the role of eye movements in assessing mental health, while noting limitations such as the exclusion of gender-fluid and non-binary individuals and a lack of racial diversity.