Understanding Research with 2SLGBTQIA+ Communities
Why do this research?
Existing research shows that when compared to heterosexual and cisgender groups, 2SLGBTQIA+ folks tend to have higher rates of substance use and mental health difficulties (Basu et al., 2022; Gnan, et al., 2019; Mongelli et al., 2019; Williams et al., 2021; Resiner et al., 2015; Steele et al., 2017). In most instances, folks belonging to these communities and/or scholars who research queer communities, understand this to be common knowledge. However, there are a few reasons why more research is needed:
Confirm What We Know
Explore What We Don't Know Yet
Expand on Research
Unfortunately just knowing is not enough. To confirm what we know (or believe to be true), research has to be validated. To validate a piece of scientific knowledge, it needs to be tested in a research study, then retested to ensure that the initial findings can be replicated in a new group. As research that focuses on the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ populations expands, this can lead to a lot of information/findings that may seem like “common knowledge” (especially to folks within the queer community). This is also why some studies can seem very similar to other finished projects.
Compared to heterosexual and cisgender groups, queer and trans folks often face greater health disparities and barriers to accessing care; these barriers can be further compounded for those who identify with multiple marginalized groups (e.g., racialized, disabled, immigrant, elderly, etc.) (Basu, 2022; Chih et al., 2020; Mulé, 2022). Despite this, 2SLGBTQIA+ groups continue to remain underrepresented in research.
Sometimes during the research process, new patterns, ideas, and relevant topics may emerge that can lead to advancements in the field. To find and expand on this knowledge, researchers often spend a lot of time, well, researching. This again is why some studies can seem very similar to other finished products.
Current research suggests that there are specific factors that may uniquely impact the lived experiences of queer and trans individuals. like barriers to healthcare, minority stress, holding multiple marginalized identities, etc. (Gnan, et al., 2019; Lerner et al., 2021; Mongelli et al., 2019; Navarro et al., 2021; Scheim et al., 2021) We need to continue to expand our understandings of these topics to better support 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, in all areas of their lives.
Most researchers rely on grant funding to do their studies, and scientific rationale has to be presented when to justify the future research in these applications. This means that sometimes, researchers need to do preliminary research studies in order to gather enough evidence to fund a larger research project. These preliminary studies are often called “Pilot Studies.” Again, sometimes the scientific evidence that comes from these pilot studies includes “common sense” knowledge, and it can make a project seem redundant. In reality, pilot studies are stepping stones to more complex, in depth research. Essentially we have to prove that the research is worth the investment!
Why do some research studies only focus on a specific subgroup (e.g., only researching the experiences of transgender folks)?
2SLGBTQIA+ people are not a monolith; while there can be shared experiences within the larger community group/population (e.g., experiencing homophobia, finding joy in community connection, etc.), individuals belonging to subgroups (e.g., trans folks, non-binary folks, asexual folks, etc.) may have unique experiences that are distinctly different from the issues of the broader community (Scheim et al., 2021; Trans PULSE Canada, 2020). This is also increasingly true for individuals with intersecting identities (Chih et al., 2020; Mulé, 2022). Sometimes it may be possible to study a broader group and analyze subgroup data separately, but this depends on the resources available, and the scope of the research topic and its question(s).
Unfortunately, many 2SLGBTQIA+ subgroups have been ignored, overlooked, and excluded from studies – even queer studies! Historically, many marginalized groups, like the broader queer and trans communities, have also been pathologized and studied as subjects of intrigue, rather than humans with unique health and access needs. This means that there is a large gap to fill in existing literature, and more importantly, a need to acknowledge these experiences and history in research. Focusing on subgroup populations is important because it allows data to be collected that genuinely reflects the real-life experiences of the person(s) or subgroups the study focuses on, and may help to not only address existing gaps in the literature, but also broaden professional and societal understanding. This in turn can lead to further advances in research, healthcare practices, and social policy.
Why are some 2SLGBTQIA+ subgroups not researched at the CARE Lab?
At the CARE Lab, we acknowledge that there are several community groups under the 2SLGBTQIA+ umbrella that, like the trans community, have been pathologized, misrepresented, and heavily under researched in a respectful, inclusive way (and across multiple academic fields). The CARE Lab adopts the principle that research on marginalized groups/populations should be informed and/or led by individuals who identify with the group of study. Dr. Dermody is always supportive and welcoming to CARE Lab members who are interested in researching other communities within the 2SLGBTQIA+ umbrella, as well as other minority groups.
The Purpose of Our Research
Our goal at the Clinical Addictions Research Equity Lab is to advocate for adequate clinical support for 2SLGBTQIA+ populations through both clinical and social research. We recognize that previous research demonstrates that 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and namely, those who identify under the trans umbrella, are disproportionately affected by substance use, poorer mental health outcomes, decreased accessibility, inadequate access to competent care, and other adverse impacts (Basu et al., 2022; Lerner et al., 2020; Navarro et al., 2021; Reisner et al., 2015; Steele et al., 2017). In acknowledging these findings, future research is important in order to continue to expand and improve upon the wellbeing of 2SLGTQIA+ populations, and the support services available to them.
In conducting this research, we hope to bring awareness to and propose changes in how 2SLGBTQIA+ persons are treated in: health care institutions, specifically concerning mental health and substance use, educational institutions, and other systems in society. This comes in the form of collaborating with community members/organizations/partners, increasing scientific knowledge on mental health and substance use in 2SLGBTQIA+ populations, and using the knowledge gained to propose institutional changes. Broadly, we hope our research can inform the creation of gender-inclusive substance use measures and supports.
What We're Doing
At the CARE Lab, we apply the principle, “Nothing about us, without us,” to make sure that our research is not only community informed and led, but that as researchers, we continue to actively increase our understanding and awareness of community experiences, needs, and lived expertise . For us, this includes:
Ensuring that our research team is diverse in its representation, which includes employees, students, and volunteers who identify within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Collaborating and connecting with community members outside of the CARE Lab who self-identify with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and implementing feedback when possible.
Collaborating with other researchers and Labs, specifically those who also are members of/involved in 2SLGBTQIA+ research, to increase our knowledge and understanding of community perspectives and needs.
Platforming 2SLGBTQIA+ work and researchers. Whether that be creating infographics based on important queer research, sharing queer community news and events to our socials, etc.
Routinely updating our research protocols to reflect the current, peer-reviewed information available on 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. There are advancements in academia every day concerning 2SLGBTQIA+ populations; as a Lab, we strive to ensure we are up-to-date on information relevant to our research practices. While not exhaustive, examples of this in motion include: updating the measures we use in our research to reflect gender-inclusive changes and/or gender-related experiences, reframing how we ask specific questions related to queer and/or gendered experiences, changing the language we use in our recruitment materials.
Updating our resource lists to make sure that our participants have access to up-to-date supports, regardless of their eligibility to participate, and whether they are currently participating or have completed/withdrawn from a study.
Conducting innovative research to better address 2SLGBTQIA+ health disparities and health promotion. For more information on our past research, click here. To see our active studies (and if you are eligible to participate), click here.
References
Basu, A., Ketheeswaran, N., & Cusanno, B. R. (2022). Localocentricity, mental health and medical poverty in communication about sex work, HIV and AIDS among trans women engaged in sex work. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 24(1), 125-137. 10.1080/13691058.2020.1817562
Chih, C., Wilson-Yang, J. Q., Dhaliwal, L., Khatoon, M., Redman, N.M., Malone, R., Islam, S., & Persad, Y. (2020). Health and well-being among racialized trans and non-binary people in Canada. Trans PULSE Canada. https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/report-health-and-well-being-among-racialized-trans-and-non-binary-people-in-canada/
Gnan, G. H., Rahman, Q., Ussher, G., Baker, D., West, E., & rimes, K. A. (2019). General and LGBTQ-specific factors associated with mental health and suicide risk among LGBTQ students. Journal of Youth Studies, 22(10), 1393-1408. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2019.1581361
Lerner, J. E., Martin, J. I., & Gorsky, G. S. (2021). More than an apple a day: Factors associated with avoidance of doctor visits among transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary people in the USA. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 18(2), 409-426. 10.1007/s13178-020-00469-3
Mongelli, F., Perrone, D., Balducci, J., Sacchetti, A., Ferrari, S., Mattei, G., & Galeazzi, G. M. (2019). Minority stress and mental health among LGBT populations: An update on the evidence. Minerva Psichiatrica, 60(1), 27–50. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0391-1772.18.01995-7
Mulé, N. J. (2022). Mental health issues and needs of LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, refugee claimants and refugees in Toronto, Canada. Psychology & Sexuality, 13(5), 1168-1178. 10.1080/19419899.2021.1913443
Navarro, J., Lachowsky, N., Hammond, R., Burchell, D., Arps, F.S.E., Davis, C., Brasseur, J., Islam, S., Fosbrook, B., Jacobsen, H., Walker, M., Lopez, C., Scheim, A., & Bauer, G. (2021). Health and well-being among non-binary people. Trans PULSE Canada. https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/report-health-and-well-being-among-non-binary-people/
Resiner, S. L., Pardo, S. T., Gamarel, K. E., White Hughto, J. M., Pardee, D. J., & Keo-Meier, C. L. (2015). Substance use to cope with stigma in healthcare among U.S. female-to-male trans masculine adults. LGBT Health, 2(4), 324-332. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2015.0001
Scheim, A. I., Coleman, T., Lachowsky, N., & Bauer, G. R. (2021). Health care access among transgender and nonbinary people in Canada, 2019: A cross-sectional survey. CMAJ, 9(4), E1213-E1222 https://www.cmajopen.ca/content/9/4/E1213
Steele, L. S., Daley, A., Curling, D., Gibson, M. F., Green, D. C., Williams, C., & Ross, L. E. (2017). LGBT identity, untreated depression, and unmet need for mental health services by sexual minority women and trans-identified people. Journal of Women’s Health, 26(2), 116-127. http://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2015.5677
Trans PULSE Canada. (2020). Non-binary people and identity documents: A report prepared for the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. Trans PULSE Canada. https://transpulsecanada.ca/results/responsive-report-non-binary-people-and-identity-documents/
Williams, A. J., Jones, C., Arcelus, J., Townsend, E., Lazaridou, A., & Michail, M. (2021). A systematic review and meta-analysis of victimization and mental health prevalence among LGBTQ+ young people with experiences of self-harm and suicide. PLoS One, 16(1), 1-26. 10.1371/journal.pone.0245268