How is Gender Identity understood in Mental Health Services? Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding diverse gender identities and exploration of gender diverse individuals feeling understood in mental health settings. (working title)
IRAS ID
329010
Contact name
Rebecca Broughton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Essex
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 24 days
Research summary
A qualitative project using thematic analysis across three stages; first 1:1 interviewing members of the public who are currently accessing mental health services or have accessed mental health services in the past 5years, some who identify as gender diverse (GD) (including but not exclusive to; transgender, non-binary and gender fluid people) and some who identify as cisgender (identifying as the same gender as the one assigned at birth), interviewing them on how they understand their own gender, gender as a construct and how Mental Health Services (MHS) could be better equipped to support people around Gender Identity (GI). After this first round of interviews, thematic analysis will be conducted, and the themes will be used to develop the questions for interviewing the Mental Health Professionals (MHP) also both identifying as GD and cisgender to understand how they understand their own and service users (SUs) gender identity, gender as a construct in society and how they think MHP should be trained to support it. The final stage will be a focus group comprised of members from both groups to engage in a discussion guided by summarised themes of both rounds, to see if shared conclusions can be drawn and enabling open discussion. In a unique space with minimal hierarchy of the system to allow both groups to reflect on gender and what would be helpful in MHS training.
REC name
HSC REC B
REC reference
23/NI/0151
Date of REC Opinion
26 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion