Researchers:

This study was led by Dr. Jae Puckett and a former community board in Chicago

Overall Aims:

The primary aims of this study were to evaluate daily stressors that transgender people experience and their association with mental health, substance use, and HIV risk behaviors. This study also evaluated the mechanisms or processes that explain these associations, such as internalized stigma.

What's included in this study?

This study entailed 2 options: 1) a study in which participants responded to daily surveys about their experience for 8 weeks (56 days) and 2) a one-time survey for people who did not qualify for the first option. Each of these options measured unique minority stressors that transgender people experience, mental health, coping, and resilience. The daily study also assessed substance use and sexual risk behaviors.

Trans Health Study: Intensive Data Collection to Reflect Daily Experiences of Stress

What's the current state of this study?

The study is complete and we are still in the process of analyzing data from this study and publishing/presenting the findings.

What are the findings from this study?

We are still analyzing this data, but a few key findings so far:

We've documented barriers that trans people experience in obtaining gender affirming healthcare (we're now in the process of analyzing data about suggestions for improving healthcare)
We have a few papers in the works about the unique forms of daily stressors that participants wrote about. This paper on the effects of the 2016 election was recently published.
This paper discusses suggestions from participants about how to ask about gender in research studies.
These papers discuss: social support and resilience in relation to mental health; coping with discrimination.

Presentations and Publications:

Publications:

Puckett, J. A., Aboussouan, A. B., Ralston, A. L., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (2021). Systems of cissexism and the daily production of stress for transgender and gender diverse people. International Journal of Transgender Health. Advanced online publication. DOI: 10.1080/26895269.2021.1937437

Puckett, J. A., Tornello, S., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (2021). Gender variations, generational effects, and mental health of transgender people in relation to timing and status of gender identity milestones. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000391

Price, S. F., Puckett, J. A., & Mocarski, R. (2021). Impact of the 2016 presidential elections on transgender and gender diverse people. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 18, 1094-1103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-020-00513-2

Puckett, J. A., Maroney, M. R., Wadsworth, L. P., Mustanski, M., & Newcomb, M. E. (2020). Coping with discrimination: The insidious effects of gender minority stigma on depression and anxiety in transgender individuals. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76, 176-194. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22865

Puckett, J. A., *Brown, N., *Dunn, T., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (2020). Perspectives from transgender and gender diverse people on how to ask about gender. LGBT Health, 7, 305-311. DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2019.0295

Puckett, J. A., Matsuno, E., Dyar, C., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (2019). Mental health and resilience in transgender individuals: What type of support makes a difference? Journal of Family Psychology, 33, 954-964. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/fam0000561

Puckett, J. A., *Cleary, P., Rossman, K., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb. M. (2018). Barriers to gender-affirming care for transgender and gender nonconforming individuals. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 15, 48-59.

Presentations:

Puckett, J. A., Brown, N. C., Dunn, T., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (November, 2020). Perspectives form transgender and gender diverse people on how to ask about gender. Symposium presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Puckett, J. A., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (November, 2019). Transgender and gender diverse individuals’ experiences of daily minority stressors. Symposium presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Puckett, J. A., Mustanski, B. M., & Newcomb, M. E. (November, 2018). Identity development, gender affirmation, and mental health in transgender individuals. Symposium presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Puckett, J. A., Mustanski, B. M., & Newcomb, M. E. (April, 2018). Daily experiences of minority stress in the lives of transgender men and women. Invited presentation at the annual Midwestern Psychological Association Conference.

Puckett, J. A., Mustanski, B., & Newcomb, M. E. (March, 2018). Understanding mental health and resilience in transgender individuals: What type of social support makes a difference. Symposium presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Women in Psychology.

Puckett, J. A., Newcomb, M. E., & Mustanski, B. (November, 2017). General and transgender-specific predictors of affect in a daily diary study of transgender men and women. Symposium presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Puckett, J. A., Anderson, L., Newcomb, M. E., & Mustanski, B. (April, 2017). Bathroom battleground: The negative correlates of restricted bathroom access for transgender & gender nonconforming individuals. Poster presentation at the annual Chicago LGBTQ Health and Wellness Conference.

Puckett, J. A., Newcomb, M. E., & Mustanski, B. (April, 2017). Trans minority stress: Accounts of daily stressors for transgender individuals. Poster presentation at the annual Chicago LGBTQ Health and Wellness Conference.

Anderson, L., & Puckett, J. A. (March, 2017). Minority stress in the lives of transgender men and women: What is missing from current psychological models? Presentation at the University of South Dakota’s Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies conference.

Puckett, J. A., Newcomb, M., & Mustanski, B. (March, 2017). Sexual and romantic attractions, behaviors, and concerns for transgender and gender diverse people. Symposium presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Women in Psychology.

Puckett, J. A., Newcomb, M., & Mustanski, B. (October, 2016). Understanding resilience and mental health in transgender individuals: The effects of minority stress and interpersonal supports. Symposium presentation at the annual conference of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies.

Puckett, J. A., *Cleary, P., Rossman, K., Newcomb, M., & Mustanski, B. (March, 2016). Barriers to gender-affirming healthcare procedures for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Symposium presentation at the annual conference for the Association for Women in Psychology.

Puckett, J. A., Newcomb, M., & Mustanski, B. (October, 2015). Stigma and mental health in transgender and gender nonconforming individuals: How do we cope? Symposium presentation at the annual Chicago LGBTQ Health and Wellness Conference.

Cleary, P., Puckett, J. A., Rossman, K., Newcomb, M., & Mustanski, B. (October, 2015). Barriers to gender-affirming healthcare procedures for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. Poster presentation at the annual Chicago LGBTQ Health and Wellness Conference.