(PS8-54) Love Lost, Connections Kept: Understanding Transgender and Gender Non-conforming (TGNC) College Students’ Break-up Experiences

During college, many young adults are navigating both relationship start-ups and break-ups. Emerging literature has also highlighted the need to study post-relationship behaviors among this age group to reduce risk for dating violence and improve individual and relational health (Pineda et al., 2021). Less attention, however, has been paid to the experiences of students identifying as Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming (TGNC). TGNC youth have been recognized as a vulnerable population for dating violence and adverse psychological outcomes following romantic break-ups (Griner et al., 2017), yet, further research is needed to understand their post-break-up feelings and experiences. As part of a larger study, self-identified TGNC college students (n = 26, m age = 19.76, white = 54%) reported their relationship characteristics, break-up distress, and social media engagement with their ex-partner following their worst perceived break-up. Participants were on average 14.9 years old (SD = 2.9) when starting their first romantic relationship and 17.2 years old (SD = 2.9) when they lost their virginity. TGNC participants reported an average of 2.31 (SD = 2.48) casual relationships in the last year. The majority (80.8%) reported that their worst perceived break-up happened more than six months ago, and nearly one-third (31.8%) reported their worst break-up to be with the partner they lost their virginity to. Break-up distress was high (m = 42.75, SD = 12.36, range 16-64) and the break-up was perceived as difficult (7.73 out of 10, SD = 2.20). After breaking-up, most TGNC students reported continuing to engage with their ex-partner via social media. Nearly half (46.2%) reported viewing their ex’s social media page; 30.8% reported remaining social media friends with their ex-partner. Social media engagement and break-up distress have been linked to unwanted pursuit behavior perpetration post-break-up. Additional support for TGNC students following romantic dissolution is likely needed to prevent dating violence and support psychological well-being.