Qualitative study of mental health during cross-sex hormone treatment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A thematic analysis of the psychological impact of cross-sex hormone treatment for people with Transsexualism
IRAS ID
176862
Contact name
Walter Bouman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leicestershire Partnerhsip Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 18 days
Research summary
Transsexualism is defined as the discontent experienced between an individual’s sex assigned at birth and their psychological gender. Individuals diagnosed with Transsexualism may seek to undergo transition and pursue treatments to be as congruent as possible with their preferred gender. The treatment pathway outlines firstly cross-sex hormone treatment and then sex reassignment surgery. The purpose of transition is to physical alter and socially transition to be as compatible as possible with the other sex. The transition process is lengthy often carried out over years and places enormous psychological pressure on the individual; however, little research has been carried out to explore the influence on psychological well-being during gender transition. The current study aims to explore the impact gender transition, specifically cross-sex hormone treatment, has on the individuals psychological well-being, in particular anxiety and low mood. This will help to understand the relationship between the cross-sex hormone treatment, the effect on psychological well-being and how this manifests. The current study proposes to interview individuals undergoing cross-sex hormone treatment about their experiences and impact to psychological well-being. Individuals receiving cross-sex hormone treatment at the Nottingham Centre for Gender Dysphoria will be invited to participate in a one-to-one photo elicitation interview. They will be provided with a disposable camera and asked to photograph over the course of three months what they feel has had a significant impact to their wellbeing. They will then be invited to a one hour interview where the photographs will be used to facilitate discussion about their psychological well-being and the cross-sex hormone treatment experience. The data from the interviews will be analysed for key themes pertinent to individuals psychological well-being during transition. The findings will add to the body of literature in this area ultimately influencing clinical care.
REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EM/0172
Date of REC Opinion
21 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion