ITP | Pathways of Protection: Adult Support, Peer Climate, and Trans Youth Well-Being in Wisconsin
February 6, 2026, Noon-1:30 pm
259 Educational Sciences
Benjamin Lebovitz
Doctoral Student, School of Education, UW–Madison
Amid escalating restrictions on educational supports for transgender and gender diverse youth, Lebovitz considers the roles of adult support and LGBTQ+ peer density as protective factors for transgender students. Lebovitz uses logistic regression, structural equation modeling (SEM), and inverse probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) to analyze data from Wisconsin’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Preliminary results indicate that having a greater number of supportive adults and LGBTQ+ peers is associated with fewer past-year suicide attempts for transgender students. However, the strength and significance of adult support and LGBTQ+ peer density as a moderator between mental health and suicide attempts differ between transgender and cisgender students. These findings provide timely evidence to inform school policies and legislative debates on the importance of gender-inclusive school environments.


