How gender diverse people experience talking about difficult events v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do Gender Diverse Young People Experience Discussing Difficult Life Experiences with Services?
IRAS ID
287864
Contact name
Georgia Crockford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Institute, Canterbury Christchurch University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 2 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that there is a high prevalence of gender diverse young people having experiences of difficult life events (e.g. Craig et al. 2020). In order to best support this population, services need to be aware of how to support people to think about these difficult experiences.Research indicates that difficult life experiences can result in negative mental health outcomes for people (e.g. Dillon, Johnston & Longden, 2012). Furthermore, as gender diverse young people represent a minority group, they are also vulnerable to experiences of discrimination. The Minority Stress Model outlines that these discriminatory experiences can contribute to mental health difficulties (Meyers, 2003). Therefore, establishing how to support gender diverse young people with these challenges is particularly important to supporting their long term well being.
Recent governmental reports (Governmental report, Transgender equality 2015) acknowledge evidence that NHS has acted in ways which can be considered "discriminatory and in breach of the Equality Act" (pp. 35). They summarised that a contributing factor is a lack of understanding about towards trans issues in the NHS. This can lead to gender diverse people feeling reluctant to access healthcare services due to previous negative experiences.
This project will investigate the views of young gender diverse people, currently under the care of the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) by exploring their experiences of talking about difficult life events with services. The aim is to understand how young people make sense of their interactions with services, and could potentially lead to a new level of understanding of how better to meet the needs of this population.
The study will recruit 8-10 people aged 14-18, currently under GIDS services. They will participate in a semi structured interview lasting up to 90 minutes. The data will be analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.
Summary of Results
This study focused on how transgender young people find it to talk about difficult life events with services. This is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, because transgender people have been shown to be likely to have higher numbers of trauma experiences. This might be in part due to discrimination. Services may be well placed to offer support around this. Secondly, for a number of reasons young transgender people might be asked to talk about difficult life events with services. One reason is the increase of awareness of trauma-informed care approaches. Another reason is some people think trauma and transgender identities are linked. However other people strongly disagree with this idea. They argue that this idea is harmful and invalidating. Thirdly, because studies have shown that transgender people have had difficult relationships with services (e.g. in healthcare, school settings). This can include experiences of feeling stigmatised or discriminated against. The aim of this study was to explore with young people how they have found it to talk about difficult life events with services.The study involved interviewing six young transgender people. These young people all agreed that conversations about difficult life events with services had been meaningful for them. Some had had very positive experiences, where they felt supported and understood by these conversations. Some had had very negative experiences, where they experienced distress and feelings similar to those seen in trauma experiences. This seemed to be influenced by the relationships they made with professionals. It was also related to past experiences. Relevant past experiences included the interactions they had had with services previously and transphobia. Information from other people also influenced their approach to these conversations.
The study concluded that trauma-informed approaches may help when thinking about these conversations. Professionals should act in ways that are clear and transparent to reduce uncertainty and build trust. They should also reflect on what the purpose of these conversations are and how to notice when these conversations might not be helping the young person. Services should also employ trauma-informed approaches to supporting their staff to manage their own experiences of distress. This might support them to continue to provide thoughtful empathic care in the midst of stressful conditions.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/YH/0081
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion