Understanding Mental Health Risks in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Role of Racial, Gender, and PCOS Healthcare Discrimination in Predicting Anxiety
Abstract
Racial and gender minority groups have increased risks of negative health and mental health outcomes, as shown by decades of health disparities research. Little research has examined racial or gender minority experiences and outcomes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is the most common endocrine condition affecting individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) and linked with increased risk of mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety). Examining race, gender, and PCOS-specific experiences in healthcare may help better explain the increased mental health risks of PCOS. This study examined minority- and PCOS-specific discrimination in healthcare among racial and gender minorities living with PCOS in a sample of 143 individuals aged 18-52 that varied in their race (white, Black, Asian, etc.) and gender (cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, etc.) through an online survey. Participants responded to questions about their demographics, anxiety symptoms, and discrimination experiences separately based on PCOS, their racial/ethnic identity, and their gender identity. Results of multiple regression analyses revealed that both PCOS- (β = .408, p < .001) and gender-specific (β = .381, p < .001) discrimination experiences in healthcare were stronger predictors of anxiety symptoms. The strongest predictor of anxiety was PCOS-related discrimination. However, racial discrimination also significantly predicted anxiety symptoms (β = .185, p = .018). Overall, our findings show that racial and gender minority groups living with PCOS experience discrimination attached to the intersections of their identity (race, gender, PCOS diagnosis) that explains some of their increased risk for anxiety. Discrimination within healthcare settings must be addressed to improve outcomes for all individuals with PCOS, but especially those with minoritized identities.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 4:30 PM
Room Number
Culp Ballroom 316
Poster Number
12
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Subtype
Posters - Competitive
Presentation Category
Health
Student Type
Undergraduate Student
Faculty Mentor
Stacey Williams
Understanding Mental Health Risks in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Role of Racial, Gender, and PCOS Healthcare Discrimination in Predicting Anxiety
Culp Ballroom 316
Racial and gender minority groups have increased risks of negative health and mental health outcomes, as shown by decades of health disparities research. Little research has examined racial or gender minority experiences and outcomes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is the most common endocrine condition affecting individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) and linked with increased risk of mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety). Examining race, gender, and PCOS-specific experiences in healthcare may help better explain the increased mental health risks of PCOS. This study examined minority- and PCOS-specific discrimination in healthcare among racial and gender minorities living with PCOS in a sample of 143 individuals aged 18-52 that varied in their race (white, Black, Asian, etc.) and gender (cisgender, transgender, nonbinary, genderqueer, etc.) through an online survey. Participants responded to questions about their demographics, anxiety symptoms, and discrimination experiences separately based on PCOS, their racial/ethnic identity, and their gender identity. Results of multiple regression analyses revealed that both PCOS- (β = .408, p < .001) and gender-specific (β = .381, p < .001) discrimination experiences in healthcare were stronger predictors of anxiety symptoms. The strongest predictor of anxiety was PCOS-related discrimination. However, racial discrimination also significantly predicted anxiety symptoms (β = .185, p = .018). Overall, our findings show that racial and gender minority groups living with PCOS experience discrimination attached to the intersections of their identity (race, gender, PCOS diagnosis) that explains some of their increased risk for anxiety. Discrimination within healthcare settings must be addressed to improve outcomes for all individuals with PCOS, but especially those with minoritized identities.
