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Peer influence and gender identity

Adolescence is a period in which peer influence on identity formation is strong.

Adolescence and identity

Adolescence is a period in which peer influence on identity formation is strong. Developmental-psychology research shows that opinions, behaviour and self-conception in adolescence are strongly shaped by friendship groups.

Application to gender

Clinical reports and the Cass Review point to patterns in which several adolescents within a single friendship group identify simultaneously as trans or non-binary. Some researchers (Littman 2018) argue this points to a role for peer influence; others interpret it as mutual support during coming out.

Clinical implications

In assessing adolescent gender dysphoria, the international recommendation is to map the social context — friendship group, online activity, school — without framing this as denial of the adolescent's own experience.