Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-In (TC3): Initial Validation of a Clinical Measure for Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults Receiving Psychological Services

Authors

Natalie R. Holt, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terrence Z. Huit, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Grant Shulman, University of Nebraska - LincolnFollow
Jane L. Meza, University of Nebraska Medical CenterFollow
Jolene Smyth, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Nathan Woodruff, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Richard Mocarski, University of Nebraska-KearneyFollow
Jae Puckett, Vermillion, SDFollow
Debra A. Hope, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

11-2019

Document Type

Article

Citation

Author manuscript; available in PMC;PMCID: PMC7405917

Published in final edited form as: Behav Ther. 2019 November ; 50(6): 1136–1149. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2019.04.001

Comments

© 2019 Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Abstract

One key aspect of evidence-based psychological services is monitoring progress to inform treatment decision making, often using a brief self-report measure. However, no such measure exists to support measurement based care given the distinct needs of transgender and gender diverse people (TGD), a group facing large documented health disparities and marginalization in healthcare. The purpose of the present study was to develop and provide initial psychometric validation of a short, behavioral health progress monitoring self-report measure, the Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-in (TC3). TGD communities, providers identified as TGD-affirmative, and relevant academic experts contributed to item and scale development. The final 18 item version was administered to 215 TGD adults (75 transfeminine, 76 transmasculine, 46 nonbinary, 18 unknown; mean age of 30 with a range of 19 to 73), who were recruited for an online study, with other questionnaires assessing negative affect, well-being, gender dysphoria, gender minority stressors, and resilience. Higher scores on the TC3 (indicating better adjustment and comfort with gender) were generally associated with lower depression, anxiety, minority stress, and gender dysphoria and greater life satisfaction, body congruence, and positive aspects of being TGD such as pride in identity and community belongingness. These results support the validity of the TC3 as a brief measure to be used as a clinical tool for TGD people receiving mental health services. Additional research is needed on the reliability and validity of the TC3 across multiple time points to determine utility as a progress monitoring measure. The TC3 should also be further validated with more culturally diverse samples.