First Australian National Trans Mental Health Study

NCT02119377 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: CB:gc:6722
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 946
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This is an Internet-based survey of transgender and transsexual (trans) people aged 18 years and older living in Australia. This population has received limited attention from public health researchers, planners, and practitioners. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that trans people experience disparities in several important areas of health compared with the population generally. In particular, trans people are more likely to experience mental health problems (notably depression and anxiety disorders), use alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs, and think about or attempt suicide. Additionally, trans people commonly report that their physical and mental health needs are not met, and underutilise preventive health care. Participants were recruited using several non-probability sampling techniques, (including purposive sampling and snowball sampling), because random sampling is not possible with this population. Medical, social, support, and advocacy networks used by trans people were used to promote the study. A mixed quantitative and qualitative methodology was used. Validated quantitative instruments were used to obtain measures of health and well-being, which will be compared against population norms. Qualitative items complement these measures, providing rich experiential data. The investigators hypothesised that:

• the prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders will be higher than for the population generally, and that these conditions will commonly be undiagnosed and untreated;
• depressive and anxiety disorders will be associated with risky behaviours, such as tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use; and,
• trans people will report poor relationships with medical practitioners. The investigators hypothesised that poor mental health is a consequence of several interrelated factors: body dysphoria (as a consequence of experiencing difficulty accessing medical treatment to alter sexual characteristics); societal discrimination and stigma (including harassment and violence); institutionalised discrimination (including difficulty changing identifying documents, and exclusion of surgical procedures and related treatments from public and private health systems); social isolation; and the belief held by many clinicians that transsexualism is a mental disorder (which may be a barrier to trans people forming trusting relationships with medical practitioners).

Conditions

Transsexualism

Keywords

trans; transsexual; transgender; sistergirl; brotherboy; androgynous; genderqueer

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders

  Assessed by self-report, and with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)

  At time of entry into study (cross-sectional)

• Perceived physical and mental health status

  Assessed with the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36)

  At time of entry into study (cross-sectional)

Secondary Outcomes (8)

• Use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs

  At time of entry into study (cross-sectional)

• Patient-doctor relationship between trans people and their general practitioners, and doctors generally

  At time of entry into study (cross-sectional)

• Body image

  At time of entry into study (cross-sectional)

• Factors that encourage and discourage trans people from accessing health care

  At time of entry into study (cross-sectional)

• Factors that protect and promote mental health in trans people

  At time of entry into study (cross-sectional)

Study Arms (1)

Transgender and Transsexual People

Transgender and transsexual (trans) people aged 18 years or older living in Australia were invited to complete a questionnaire assessing a range of mental and physical health domains.

Other: questionnaire

Interventions

questionnaire OTHER

Transgender and Transsexual People

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This is a study of trans people living in Australia aged 18 years or older. The investigators used the term trans in an inclusive way, and included people who use (or used) words like transsexual, transgender, sistergirl, brotherboy, androgynous, or genderqueer to describe themselves. All trans people, including those who just describe themselves as men or women were encouraged to participate.

You may qualify if:

• Live in Australia
• Self-identify as trans

You may not qualify if:

• Aged less than 18 years

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Curtin University: lead
• Beyondblue (The National Depression Initiative): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Curtin University

Perth, Western Australia, 6102, Australia

Location

Related Links

• Study website

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Transsexualism

Interventions

Surveys and Questionnaires

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sexuality; Sexual Behavior; Behavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Data Collection; Epidemiologic Methods; Investigative Techniques; Health Care Evaluation Mechanisms; Quality of Health Care; Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation; Public Health; Environment and Public Health

Study Officials

• Zoë Hyde, MPH PhD

  Curtin University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Maryanne Doherty, MSc PhD

  Curtin University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Peter Tilley, MPsych

  Curtin University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Kieran A. McCaul, MPH PhD

  The University of Western Australia

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Rosanna Rooney, MPsych PhD

  Curtin University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Jonine Jancey, PhD

  Curtin University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 16, 2014
• First Posted: April 21, 2014
• Study Start: August 1, 2013
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2013
• Study Completion: December 1, 2013
• Last Updated: May 6, 2014

Record last verified: 2014-05

Locations

AU (1)