Treble Or Trouble: Mental Health Experiences Of Gender Diverse Collegiate Marching Band Artists

PURPOSE: The minority stress model suggests gender diverse (GD) individuals might be at increased risk for mental health (MH) challenges. For collegiate marching band (MB) artists, risk for anxiety (ANX) and depression (DEP) may be higher as they navigate the demands and stressors associated with MB and college. Therefore, we sought to examine the frequency of ANX and DEP risk across GD MB artists. METHODS: Data was collected as part of a larger collegiate MB cross-sectional study in the U.S, and 75 GD individuals (transgender = 13, non-binary = 62; age = 19 ± 1 y) participated. We used the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (score > 39/80 indicated proneness to ANX), the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD; symptom score > 16/60 indicated DEP risk) and asked whether they sought medical care for ANX and/or DEP. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, Chi-square, and univariate analyses determined scores, risk, and differences between MH and receiving assistance. RESULTS: Participants had high state ANX (mean = 52.7 ± 11.6 out of 80; range = 21-74) and trait ANX (mean = 58.0 ± 11.9; range = 20-76). In addition, the participants scored a 30.6 ± 11.9 (range = 2-51) on the CESD, indicating greater DEP symptoms. Risk for ANX, DEP, or both were identified in over 84% of participants (Table 1), with no significant differences between GD groups (ANX: p = .702, DEP: p = .166, Both: p = .649). Of the 64 GD individuals at risk for both ANX and DEP, 21.9% (n = 14/64) did not seek out help from a MH professional. CONCLUSION: Compounded with the mental and physical challenges of MB, we identified high rates of clinical symptoms of DEP and ANX among GD MB artists. This data is consistent with other minority populations and above the normative values for cisgender students. The lack of help seeking behaviors in over 20% of at-risk participants highlights the need for specialized sports medicine resources for GD patients, as well as MB artists. Table 1. At Risk Proportions - Anxiety Depression Both Anxiety and Depression % (n) % (n) % (n) Overall (n = 75) 89.3 (67) 93.3 (70) 85.3 (64) Non-binary (n = 62) 88.7 (55) 95.2 (59) 85.5 (53) Transgender (n = 13) 92.3 (12) 84.6 (11) 84.6 (11)