Silje-Håvard Bolstad

• Bolstad, Silje-Håvard; Anderssen, Norman; Hansen, Bjørge Hermann & Meyer, Ilan H. (2025). Gender-affirming health care needs, barriers to care, and health and wellbeing in a broad nationwide sample of transgender people in Norway. BMC Public Health. 25. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-25243-1. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Transgender people report increased prevalence of mental distress and suicide attempts compared to the general population. Gender-based minority stressors such as discrimination and victimization are positively associated with mental health problems while social and medical gender transition is inversely associated with mental health problems. Barriers to accessing gender-affirming health care is reported by transgender people in many countries, including Norway which has a state-funded public health care system. The aim of the current study was to examine gender-affirming health care needs, barriers to care and health and wellbeing in a broad nationwide sample of transgender people in Norway. Methods: A nationwide sample with 579 transgender participants completed an anonymous online survey during June-September 2023. Chi-square tests and ANOVA were used to examine differences between gender identity groups. Results: Having obtained gender-affirming health care was more common among trans men and trans women as compared to nonbinary people. Participants generally reported being satisfied with the outcomes of gender-affirming hormonal and surgical treatments. Having obtained treatment entirely through private funding was reported by 32.5% of those using hormones and 49.5% of those who had obtained surgery. Not being able to afford hormones or surgery was reported by 45.9% and 65.5% among those with unmet treatment needs. Compared to trans men and trans women with unmet needs, nonbinary people with unmet needs were less likely to be under assessment or on a waiting list to obtain treatments. Of the total sample, 36.7% reported suicide attempts, 74.8% reported mental distress above clinical cut-off and 12.5% reported being satisfied with life. Conclusions: Transgender people in Norway reported high levels of mental distress and suicidality. Despite being young and with low income, a large proportion had obtained gender-affirming medical treatments entirely through private funding. Transgender people in need of gender-affirming health care could benefit from increased access to care through the state-funded public health care system in Norway.

• Almås, Elsa Mari; Bolstad, Silje-Håvard; Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Karlsen, Tor-Ivar & Giami, Alain (2025). Gender identities and affirmation pathways among transgender individuals in Norway. Sexual and Relationship Therapy. ISSN 1468-1994. 40(2), p. 412–429. doi: 10.1080/14681994.2025.2464651. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives: To identify subgroups of the Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) population and investigate if they follow similar or different affirmation pathways according to their self-reported gender identity. Method: A questionnaire used in France and Brazil was adapted to the Norwegian context and used for this study. Participants were recruited through therapists, TGD organizations, and social media. The data were analyzed based on seven categories -man, woman, trans man, trans woman, nonbinary, agender and undefined - which were derived from a content analysis of the self-reported definitions. Results: In total, 538 individuals responded the questionnaire, of which 336 participants provided a self-reported definition of their gender identity. The groups differed systematically along the binary – nonbinary continuum regarding changes in legal status, planning and obtaining health care, and overall satisfaction regarding their pathway. Conclusions: The results indicate that health care must be adapted according to gender self-identification and accommodate the different needs that are expressed by the participants. Lay Summary The study aimed to describe experiences of individuals who identify as Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) in Norway. Researchers wanted to explore whether TGD individuals follow similar or different paths when affirming their gender identity. A questionnaire originally developed in France, was adapted to fit the Norwegian context. Participants were reached out to through therapists, TGD organizations, and social media. A total of 538 people answered the questionnaire, and 336 of them provided a description of their gender identity. The responses were categorized into seven groups based on how the participants described their gender identity: man, woman, trans man, trans woman, nonbinary, agender, and undefined. The study found that these groups had different experiences when it came to legally changing their gender, accessing healthcare, and how satisfied they were with their journey of gender affirmation: People who identified as nonbinary or agender reported different needs and experiences compared to those who identified within binary male or female categories. The conclusion of the study was that healthcare services need to be more flexible and responsive to the individual needs of TGD people. This means recognizing and respecting each person’s self-identified gender identity and provide support that is tailored to the individual experiences and challenges.

• Almås, Elsa Mari; Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Bolstad, Silje-Håvard; Karlsen, Tor-Ivar & Giami, Alain (2024). Gender Identity Orientation and Sexual Activity—A Survey among Transgender and Gender-Diverse (TGD) Individuals in Norway. Healthcare. 12(4). doi: 10.3390/healthcare12040482. Full text in Research Archive

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• Benestad, Esben Esther Pirelli; Pop, Maria Lucia; Valerio, Paolo; Barrientos, Jamie; Bolstad, Silje-Håvard & Giami, Alain (2021). The importance of self designation of gender identity in research, care and advocacy. Full text in Research Archive
• Jessen, Reidar Schei; Ohnstad, Anbjørg; Kvam, Elisabeth Adams & Bolstad, Silje-Håvard (2018). Kjønn til besvær. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Svar til kritikk fra Rolf Marvin Bøe Lindgren om kjønnsroller i barnehagen: https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/kjonn-til-besvaer/69693723

• Jessen, Reidar Schei; Ohnstad, Anbjørg; Kvam, Elisabeth Adams & Bolstad, Silje-Håvard (2016). Vi trenger psykologer som hjelper folk med å utforske kjønnsmangfoldet. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Tilsvar til Rolf Marvin Bøe Lindgren i debatt om barns kjønnsidentitet og betydningen av anerkjennelse: https://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/vi-trenger-psykologer-som-hjelper-folk-med-a-utforske-kjonnsmangfoldet/62446941

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