Penelope Strauss

Upskilling Service Providers on LGBTQA+ Suicide Prevention

This project aims to implement LGBTQA+ youth suicide prevention guidelines in clinical and community services in Western Australia.

LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Practice Training for Medical and Psychology Students

This research aims to improve the mental health of LGBTQIA+ individuals through enhanced inclusive practice training for trainee health professionals.

Sibling Stories: Improving the mental health of siblings of trans youth

Some studies indicate siblings of transgender (trans) and gender diverse young people often experience negative mental health impacts such as anxiety and depression due to complicated familial, individual and social factors associated with having a trans sibling.

The Youth Safe Haven Café Project

The Youth Safe Haven Project will co-design a youth-specific Safe Haven Café within the Peel Health Hub to serve as an alternative to the emergency department for young people at risk of suicide.

Understanding autistic LGBTQA+ young people’s experiences of trauma: An intersectional approach

Recent research has consistently found significantly higher rates of gender and sexual diversity reported in the autistic population compared to the non-autistic population, and higher rates of autism reported in LGBTQA+ populations compared to cisgender and heterosexual populations

Parent Pathways: Understanding the mental health and wellbeing of parents of trans children and young people.

safeTALK training for young people experiencing homelessness: a community-based trial

Exploring LGBTQA+ young people’s experiences of suicidality: a qualitative study

Transforming Families

We want to better understand the relationship between parents/carers and their children who identify as trans or gender diverse with the aim of improving the well-being of the whole family.

Suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people: Best practice guidelines for clinical and community service providers

These guidelines outline a set if best practices for suicide prevention in LGBTQA+ young people, targeting both clinical and community service providers.

SPARX-T: An online game to prevent depression in trans young people

GENTLE: The GENder identiTy Longitudinal Experience

Mind The Distance

Mind The Distance

Mindful Self-Compassion for LGBTQ youth: a multi-site randomized controlled trial

Trans Pathways

Trans Pathways is the largest study ever in Australia of gender diverse young people and their mental health and care pathways.

Contextualising Experiences of Co-Occurring Mental Ill-Health and Substance Use Among Trans, Non-Binary, and Gender Diverse Young People: Implications for Tailored Harm Reduction Approaches

Though significant research highlights higher rates of mental ill-health and substance use among trans, non-binary and gender diverse (henceforth 'trans') young people, little research has considered patterns, contextual characteristics, and correlates of co-occurring experiences of mental ill-health and substance use among trans young people. 

An Exploration of LGBTQA+ Young People’s Coping Strategies When Navigating Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors

LGBTQA+ young people experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors at a much greater rate than their heterosexual and cisgender peers. This study explored firsthand accounts of the coping strategies employed by LGBTQA+ young people when experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

A critical discussion of pediatric gender measures to clarify the utility and purpose of “measuring” gender

Pediatric gender clinics and researchers commonly use scales to measure different dimensions of gender (e.g. identity, dysphoria, satisfaction). There has been little investigation into the relevance and consumer acceptability of these scales within contemporary understandings and experiences of gender. 

Trans Young People’s Experiences of Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is particularly common among trans young people. Trans young people tend to experience high levels of emotional distress due to the unique stressors they face, and often use NSSI as an emotion regulation strategy. These stressors include gender dysphoria, body image concerns, and transphobic experiences.

Parental Experiences of Supporting the Mental Health of Their LGBTQA+ Child

Young people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, asexual and other diverse genders and sexualities (LGBTQA+) are at greater risk of adverse mental health outcomes and suicide, with additional barriers to accessing safe and affirming physical and mental health services in comparison to the general population.

Perspectives of LGBTQA+ young people on suicide prevention services in Australia

LGBTQA + people are less likely to access mental health care despite an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes including suicidal thoughts and behaviours. The present study aimed to explore Australian LGBTQA + young people's perceptions of key factors associated with access to suicide prevention services.

Reidentification with Birth-Registered Sex in a Western Australian Pediatric Gender Clinic Cohort

Some young people who identify as transgender and seek gender-affirming medical care subsequently reidentify with their sex registered at birth. Evidence regarding the frequency and characteristics of this experience is lacking. 

Development of best practice guidelines for clinical and community service providers to prevent suicide in LGBTQA+ young people: A Delphi expert consensus study

The aim of this study was to develop best practice guidelines for preventing suicide and reducing suicidal thoughts and behaviours in LGBTQA+ young people (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, asexual, and those of other diverse sexualities and genders) within clinical and community service settings in Australia.

Physical activity behaviors in trans and gender diverse adults: a scoping review

There is currently limited data regarding the physical activity behaviors of trans and gender diverse people (including binary and non-binary identities; henceforth trans). The aim of this review was to synthesize the existing literature in this area, with a focus on physical activity behaviors as they relate to health (e.g. health benefits, risks of adverse health outcomes). 

The Positive Aspects of Being the Parent of a Trans Child: Findings from Trans Pathways

The existing literature exploring the experiences of parenting a trans child tends toward reporting the challenging aspects of the parental journey. Studies also reference positive experiences such as enhanced parent-child connectedness and affirmation of personal values. Limited dedicated research focused on the positive aspects of parenting a trans child exists. We aimed to better understand positive parental experiences accordingly.

Gender non-conformity in childhood and adolescence and mental health through to adulthood: A longitudinal cohort study, 1995-2018

Few studies have examined associations between gender non-conformity (GNC) in childhood or adolescence and mental health outcomes later in life. This study examined associations between GNC and mental health over multiple time points in childhood and adolescence, and GNC in childhood and/or adolescence and mental health in adulthood.

Twelve Tips for Inclusive Practice in Healthcare Settings

This paper outlines practical tips for inclusive healthcare practice and service delivery, covering diversity aspects and intersectionality. A team with wide-ranging lived experiences from a national public health association's diversity, equity, and inclusion group compiled the tips, which were reiteratively discussed and refined. The final twelve tips were selected for practical and broad applicability.

Parental Challenges, Facilitators and Needs Associated with Supporting and Accepting Their Trans Child’s Gender

Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth yet most experience parental rejection or ambivalence regarding their gender. Many parents report a desire to support their child but indicate lack of understanding and support as key barriers. We aimed to develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges and facilitators experienced by Australian parents in developing understanding, support and acceptance of their child’s gender and their needs to do so.

Knowledge is Power: Trans Young People’s Perceptions of Parental Reactions to Their Gender Identity, and Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Parental Support

Parental support is strongly correlated with protective factors for trans youth, however, most experience unsupportive parental attitudes. We aimed to better understand how youth perceive parental reactions to their gender identity disclosure and what they consider to be barriers to, and facilitators of, support.

Reach and perceived effectiveness of a community-led active outreach postvention intervention for people bereaved by suicide

Postvention is a core component of suicide prevention strategies, internationally. However, the types of supports provided to people impacted by suicide vary widely. This study examines the perceived effectiveness of the Primary Care Navigator (PCN) model for people bereaved by suicide. The PCN model was implemented in response to a suicide cluster.

Factors Influencing Parental Acceptance of Trans Children and Young People: Findings from Trans Pathways

Trans youth are at high risk of mental health difficulties and negative life events. Strong parental support is highly protective however there is little understanding of what factors facilitate the process of parental understanding and acceptance of a child’s gender identity.

Mind the distance: experiences of non-face-to-face child and youth mental health services during COVID-19 social distancing restrictions in Western Australia

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, social distancing restrictions limited access to face-to-face mental health services in Western Australia (WA), necessitating a rapid transition to non-face-to-face alternatives, including telehealth. The current study investigated barriers and facilitators to telehealth access and engagement, and preferences for child and youth mental health service delivery during and beyond COVID-19.

Perspectives of trans and gender diverse young people accessing primary care and gender-affirming medical services: Findings from Trans Pathways

Increasing numbers of trans young people are seeking medical services worldwide, but there have been few qualitative investigations of the experiences of trans young people attempting to engage with these services to explore in-depth experiences of clinical interactions.

They Told Me “This Isn’t a Hotel”: Young People’s Experiences and Perceptions of Care When Presenting to the Emergency Department with Suicide-Related Behaviour

In Australia, the number of young people presenting to the emergency department with mental health concerns, in particular, suicidal behaviour (defined here as suicidal ideation, thoughts, intent and attempts) is increasing.

Mental health difficulties among trans and gender diverse young people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Findings from Trans Pathways

Recent research highlights an overlap of gender diversity and autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, data on individuals who are trans and also on the autism spectrum are largely from clinical samples and may not be representative of individuals who are trans with ASD in the general population. In addition, there is scant literature on the mental health of these individuals and their experiences in accessing gender-affirming care.

Group mindful self-compassion training to improve mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ young adults: Rationale and protocol for a randomised controlled trial

Young adults who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse genders and sexualities (LGBTQIA+) are more likely to experience mental health difficulties and are at significantly elevated risk of substance abuse, self-harm and suicide, relative to their heterosexual, endosex and cisgender peers. There is a need for effective mental health interventions for LGBTQIA+ young adults. Mindful Self-Compassion training is a promising approach; among LGBTQIA+ individuals, self-compassion accounts for more variation in mental health outcomes than bullying, victimization, and adverse childhood experiences combined. Furthermore, LGBTQIA+ individuals with high self-compassion report more positive identity and happiness, less self-stigma, and lower suicidality than those with low self-compassion.

Options and realities for trans and gender diverse young people receiving care in Australia's mental health system: findings from Trans Pathways

Trans and gender diverse young people experience mental health difficulties self-harm and suicidality at markedly higher rates than the general population, yet they often feel isolated from mental health services. There is little qualitative research on the experiences of trans and gender diverse young people accessing mental health support in Australia.

Associations between negative life experiences and the mental health of trans and gender diverse young people in Australia: Findings from Trans Pathways

The current results highlight the urgent need for better mental health care and provide insight into areas for targeted mental health interventions

Mental Health Issues and Complex Experiences of Abuse Among Trans and Gender Diverse Young People: Findings from Trans Pathways

Those working in trans and gender diverse health care need to be aware of the high prevalence of violence and abuse among trans and gender diverse young people

Misgendering and experiences of stigma within health care settings for transgender individuals

Misgendering within the health care system can significantly affect the mental and physical health of transgender individuals

The Impact of Externally Worn Diabetes Technology on Sexual Behavior and Activity, Body Image, and Anxiety in Type 1 Diabetes

Wearable technologies impact upon sexual activity and this influences the decision to adopt the technology

Women Migrants in Western Australia: Case Studies of Resilience and Empowerment

We propose that women migrants, through alliances and collaboration, cross borders of learning and work towards generating change and transformation

Trans and gender diverse young people's attitudes towards game-based digital mental health interventions: A qualitative investigation

This paper reports on trans and gender diverse young people's attitudes towards digital games and game-based digital mental health interventions

Mental Health Correlates of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Gender Diverse Young People: Evidence from a Specialised Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic in Australia

Current findings indicate that gender diverse children and adolescents with indicated ASD comprise an especially vulnerable group at risk of mental health difficulties

Online interventions for the mental health needs of trans and gender diverse young people

Members of our research team have done an online survey (Trans Pathways) exploring the mental health and care pathways of gender diverse youth in Australia.

Feasibility of a commercial smartphone application for dietary assessment in epidemiological research and comparison with 24-h dietary recalls

Our study tested the relative validity of a smart phone app for uses as an epidemiological dietary assessment tool, compared with a standard assessment method.