We are combining data from different gender services across Australia to better understand the health and wellbeing outcomes for trans young people following gender-affirming care.

By combining existing data (such as the Trans20 study), we can do world-leading research that better represents the range of experiences among trans young people across Australia.

We are also collecting new data about health and wellbeing for young adults who did or did not have access to gender-affirming medical care before they were 18.

Using surveys and interviews, we will better understand how accessing gender-affirming care contributes to young people’s longer-term sense of wellbeing, physical changes in line with their gender identity, mental health, and sexual and romantic relationships.

Building on existing evidence, this study will help services, young people, and families be more informed when making decisions about gender-affirming medical care.

We are trialling three new programs to improve wellbeing for trans young people and their families.

GPS parenting program

The GPS parenting program is designed to help parents better understand and support their trans young person (aged 12–18). Like a GPS on land or a compass at sea, this program helps parents navigate the journey of supporting their young person. We are trialling the program with parents in the ACT, VIC, NSW, and WA to understand how effective the program is at improving outcomes for families.

TAG TEAM

TAG TEAM is a group therapy program for high-school aged trans young people. The name stands for ‘Trans Adolescent Group ThErapy for Alleviating Minority stress’. TAG TEAM aims to improve mental health for trans young people through a group program, which recognises that trans young people may experience stigma and discrimination (‘minority stress’), and supports them to navigate it. We are trialling the program online (national) and in-person (Melbourne).

Movement program

Trans young people often face barriers to being active, which can impact their mental and physical health. We are trialling a movement program to understand how structured movement programs can support health, well-being, and social connection. By identifying what works best, we can create an inclusive and engaging programs that meet the needs of trans young people. We are trialling the program across Australia.

Gender-affirming care is an evidence-based approach to support the health and wellbeing of trans young people, but we want to know how services could be made even better for a wider range of families.

Across Australia, services use different ‘models of care’, so they might run differently. For example, they might be based in a hospital or in the community, or they may have extra supports like speech therapy, peer support, or group programs. To understand what makes services work well for different people, our research has two parts:

1. Interviews with trans young people, families, and healthcare providers to more deeply understand the experiences that people have at services with different models of care
2. Surveys and collecting data with different services to compare the experiences and outcomes for different models of care.