The development of an evidence-based education resource for families of transgender young people in the Republic of Ireland: A PhD study

Within the Republic of Ireland (ROI), the importance of addressing the needs of transgender people is highlighted in several recent reports and policy developments. Furthermore, recent research within the ROI has demonstrated... [ view full abstract ]

Within the Republic of Ireland (ROI), the importance of addressing the needs of transgender people is highlighted in several recent reports and policy developments. Furthermore, recent research within the ROI has demonstrated that transgender young people are at an increased risk of a number of challenges to their mental health and wellbeing, including depression, stress, anxiety, and self-harm and suicide attempts. Support or rejection of a transgender young person by their family has also been shown to impact on their mental health and wellbeing, with supportive family behaviours linked to better outcomes and rejecting behaviours linked to poorer outcomes for these youth. Evidence suggests that family support or rejection of a transgender family member is related to their acceptance of their transgender family member, with family acceptance closely tied to their understanding of transgender people and issues. This highlights the importance of education and information for families of people who are transgender in their understanding, acceptance, and, ultimately, their support of their transgender family member.

However, there are no studies that explore the education needs of these families in the ROI.

Therefore, this PhD study aims to address this gap in the research by exploring the education needs of families of transgender young people in the ROI and how to best address these needs. The objectives are: to identify the... [ view full abstract ]

Therefore, this PhD study aims to address this gap in the research by exploring the education needs of families of transgender young people in the ROI and how to best address these needs. The objectives are:

1. to identify the education needs of family members of transgender young people in the Republic of Ireland;
2. to design and develop an education programme for these families which takes into account these needs;
3. to evaluate the education programme; and
4. to make recommendations for developing the programme, future research, policy and practice.

This study is guided by Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), a research approach that emphasises partnerships between the researcher and stakeholders in the community. Within this study, partner organisations have... [ view full abstract ]

This study is guided by Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), a research approach that emphasises partnerships between the researcher and stakeholders in the community. Within this study, partner organisations have supported the research from its conception and are acting as active participants in the research process. The study relies on a gender affirmative approach, which emphasises that families can promote a young person’s wellbeing by affirming and supporting their gender identity.

The study has three primary phases: Consultation; Design and Development; and Evaluation. The consultation phase involved a needs analysis consultation with stakeholders in the ROI, including interviews with professionals, families, and transgender young people (n=8) and surveys (n=18: family members / n=14: transgender young people). The phase of design and development was focused on the design and development of the education programme. It involved a qualitative survey evaluation of the education programme design by professionals, families, and transgender young people. The aim of the evaluation phase is to conduct a mixed methods, convergent parallel design evaluation of the education programme. 

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The consultation phase underscored the importance of education and information for families of transgender young people in the ROI. It highlighted the role that education plays in a family’s ability to make sense of,... [ view full abstract ]

The consultation phase underscored the importance of education and information for families of transgender young people in the ROI. It highlighted the role that education plays in a family’s ability to make sense of, understand, and support a transgender family member. It also highlighted a gap in educational opportunities for these families in the ROI, with all stakeholders agreeing that there were not enough educational resources available. The surveys highlighted important areas of educational concern for family members and transgender young people in the ROI. These findings were used to design the education programme content. The proposed education programme design consisted of eight modules on various topics related to transgender young people and their families. While the results from the evaluation of the module design were overall very positive, a number of suggestions to modify certain areas were recommended, including around content, language and tone. The content was revised based on the findings of this evaluation. The programme is currently in the final stages of development, with a mixed methods evaluation planned for Spring/Summer 2017.

This PhD study aims to explore and address the education needs of families of transgender young people in the ROI. To date, the study’s findings have demonstrated the importance of education for families of transgender young... [ view full abstract ]

This PhD study aims to explore and address the education needs of families of transgender young people in the ROI. To date, the study’s findings have demonstrated the importance of education for families of transgender young people in the ROI. It has also shown a critical lack of service provision in this area, as evidenced by statements from families and professionals alike. The CBPR methodology and inclusion of stakeholders throughout the research process has ensured that the design and development of the education programme is needs-based and reflects the views and concerns of professionals, families, and transgender young people themselves. The partner organisations also play a crucial role in the future implementation and dissemination of the education programme nationally, so their ongoing involvement and support of the education programme is essential. It is hoped that by providing a needs-based, gender affirmative resource for families of transgender young people in the ROI, this education programme can help equip families with the information and tools to support themselves and, in turn, their transgender family member.