Off-campus UNL users: To download campus access dissertations, please use the following link to log into our proxy server with your NU ID and password. When you are done browsing please remember to return to this page and log out.

Non-UNL users: Please talk to your librarian about requesting this dissertation through interlibrary loan.

Is Our Research Inclusive? Experiences in Psychological Research for Participants Identifying as Transgender and Gender Diverse

Allura L Ralston, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

Research practices have historically excluded transgender and gender diverse communities by unnecessarily excluding them from research or have not been inclusive of these identities by using demographic questions that do not ask about gender identity outside of the male/female binary. There are several guidelines and recommendations for conducting affirming and ethical research with TGD populations (e.g., (Adams et al., 2017; Staples et al., 2018; Vincent, 2018). However, no empirical research exists on applying ethical standards for social and psychological research for TGD communities (Adams et al., 2017). The present study sought to pilot and test these recommendations by adapting research materials and procedures to be inclusive and affirming of TGD identities. Participants were randomized to either view materials and procedures adapted to be affirming or materials and procedures that were not adapted and more typically seen in research studies. Results show that participants rated the adapted materials and procedures as more affirming, would be more likely to continue in a study using these materials and procedures, and would be more likely to recommend another TGD person to the study. The present study also sought to examine if constructs such as critical consciousness and experiences of gender marginalization stressors moderated the relationship between condition and ratings. Results show that with the exception of internalized transphobia there is no significant relationship between these constructs. These results suggest there are tangible changes that can be made to research practices that are more inclusive and affirming of TGD identities. Limitations of this study was recruitment difficulties and a lack of demographic diversity.

Subject Area

Clinical psychology|Psychology|Gender studies

Recommended Citation

Ralston, Allura L, "Is Our Research Inclusive? Experiences in Psychological Research for Participants Identifying as Transgender and Gender Diverse" (2023). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI30575571.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI30575571

Share

COinS