Last year Sussex Pride was one of 35 community based organizations that recruited trial participants for the CARES Study. The CARES Study, which stands for Creating Access to Resources and Economic Support, was s a research initiative designed to test how financial and social support can improve the mental health of transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) adults.
Unlike many medical studies that focus on hormones or surgery, the CARES study looks at the “material hardship” (poverty, housing instability, or lack of resources) that many in the trans community face. Trial participants received small cash micro-grants and peer counseling. We had three folks participate in Delaware.
Whenever we ask folks to participate in a study, we also want to make sure they receive the study results. While these results are preliminary, here are some of the things that have been learned.
- Among trans adults and experiencing material hardship intersectional discrimination is associated with greater psychological distress
- Social support, trans community connectedness, and financial self-efficacy are associated with lower psychological distress
- People of Color (POC) POC experienced greater negative effects of gender non-affirmation and greater positive effects of financial self-efficacy and higher community connection on psychological distress.
- White participants experienced a greater negative effect of poor neighborhood safety on psychological distress.
- Increasing access to social support and trans community connection as well as financial self- efficacy may help to mitigate harms wrought by negative political forces
- The moderating role of race emphasizes the importance of tailoring these interventions for trans people of color
If you would like to learn more, you can view a slide presentation here. Thank you to everyone who helped get the word out about the study, and thank you to the trial participants,
To learn more about the Transgender Community in Delaware
- See a list of trans-focused organizations in Delaware
- Visit Sussex Pride Trans on the Web
- Visit Sussex Pride Trans on Instagram
- Visit Sussex Pride Trans on Facebook
- Join the private Delaware Trans Facebook Group
Please note: While we are proud to support research, we cannot accomodate all research requests, and there are many factors taken into consideration. Here are some factors we take into consideration.
- Is the researcher a known and trusted LGBTQ+ community member or ally to the LGBTQ+ Community?
- Does the researcher have a plan for disseminating results of the research to participants? Has this happened in the past?
- Is the Institutional Review Board (IRB) information clearly indicated on outreach materials?
- Is there an incentive for trial participants?
- Is there an incentive for community partners?
- Does the survey pose any risks to trial participants, including mental health distress or suicidal ideation? Is there a clear plan to address these risks?
- Is there a community advisory board or other clear plan for meaningful community input?