TRANS: Microaggressions & Mental Health – Follow-up Study

Brief description of the study

We are recruiting participants from the people who took part in the baseline survey for the 2021/22 TRANS: Microaggressions & Mental Health online survey and who volunteered to take part in further studies.

The follow-up study involves filling out some of the same questions as found in the baseline survey. This will allow us to examine whether there are any changes in depression, anxiety, and suicidality over this period, and to test whether experiences of microaggressions might influence these changes. A microaggression is an everyday exchange between yourself, and others that results in a sense of being devalued because of your identity.

Why is this study needed?

Whilst the baseline survey we conducted online in 2021/22 has given us a broad picture of mental health within the trans and non-binary community, there are still several gaps remaining in our knowledge. Answering these would help policymakers consider how to redesign services to ensure better health outcomes for trans and non-binary people. We designed the follow-up study to address these gaps in our knowledge. Questions in the survey explore experiences of microaggressions, depression, anxiety, suicidality, loneliness, rumination, and gender minority stress.

There are very few studies in trans mental health research that collect data at two or more time points (also called longitudinal datasets). These are urgently needed in trans mental health research because this form of evidence will allow us to make stronger recommendations for how to improve trans mental health through public health messaging and clinical interventions.

What is expected of me?

If invited to take part, you will be asked to fill out the follow-up survey hosted on the online survey programme Opinio. More information about Opinio and data security can be found in the Participant Information Leaflet. The study should take around 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

When can I see the results of the study?

After the follow-up data are collected, the PhD student will analyse the data and summarise the findings for her thesis report. She will submit this report for publication in academic journals as well as in clearly written reports aimed at communicating findings to the general public (a lay summary). If you have consented to receive either the formal report and/or the lay summary, you will receive this in an individual email with the subject heading “Longitudinal Study” and from the email address TMH@ucl.ac.uk.

If you want to keep updated with the progress of the study, do follow the study Twitter account @TransMMH 

To see the participant information leaflet click the button below:

Download information leaflet

To view the consent form, click the button below:

Open consent form