Engaging in Clinically and Developmentally Informed Research with Sexual and Gender Minority Youth

Despite increased acceptance of sexual and gender minority (SGM) identities, SGM children and youth continue to experience pervasive minority stress, as well as its resultant negative health and mental health consequences (Institute of Medicine, 2011). However, the study of this vulnerable population continues to lag behind studies of children and youth who identify as heterosexual and cisgender (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Therefore, it is critical that social work researchers engage in clinically- and developmentally-informed research to promote the emotional and physical wellbeing of SGM children and youth. This roundtable aims to advance social work research by stimulating discussion of four key areas that can help to move research with SGM children and youth forward: (a) accounting for the role of trauma within the lives of SGM children and youth; (b) conducting clinically and developmentally appropriate assessment; (c) attending to developmental and clinical considerations associated with research and early intervention for GM children; and (d) engaging technology to capture the experiences of SGM youth within their social contexts.

The first panelist will discuss the ways in which researchers can expand their current conceptualization of trauma to account for SGM youth suffering from symptoms similar to PTSD following exposure to traumatic as well as non-traumatic events. Discussion will include an examination of trauma through a SGM youth specific lens. Understanding and integrating trauma informed perspectives with SGM children and youth may help researchers to understand how these events strike at the core of their emerging identities (Alessi, Meyer, & Martin, 2013).  

The second panelist will discuss the relevance of the Life History Calendar as an assessment tool for capturing the multitude of developmental experiences of SGM children and youth and/or their parents.  The use of life history, which accounts for the development of sexual and gender identity across the lifespan, has been under-utilized, yet has been shown as a potentially promising, and developmentally appropriate practice for clinical assessment and research with this population (Fisher, 2013).

The third panelist will discuss considerations for engaging in research that can enhance understanding of the social, mental health, medical, and policy needs of prepubescent GM children. GM children experience myriad challenges to health and wellbeing in contemporary society, yet there is a paucity of research exploring the needs and experiences of these children (Olson, 2016; Olson, Key & Eaton, 2015). The expanding role for social work research with GM children will be considered.

The fourth panelist will focus on the role of technology in the lives of SGM youth. SGM youth are avid consumers and producers of online content (Hiller & Harrison, 2007), which has implications for research with this population (Craig, McInroy, McCready, & Alaggia, 2015). Developmental considerations relevant to the design of online or intervention studies as well as the importance of ‘youth culture’ will be discussed. Strategies for engagement and recruitment will be highlighted.