Effects of Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy on the Psychosocial and Quality of Life of Transgender People: A Prospective Cohort Study
Effects of Gender-affirming Hormone Therapy on the Psychosocial and Quality of Life of Transgender People: A Prospective Cohort Study
This prospective cohort study aims to assess the impact of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on transgender individuals' physical, psychological, social, and quality of life aspects. Based on gender minority stress theory, the research recruits 150 individuals each of those starting GAHT and those not yet undergoing it. Data collection involves questionnaires and physiological measurements. Statistical analyses will explore correlations and group differences. Findings can guide transgender individuals considering hormone therapy and enhance care guidelines to improve their overall well-being.
The willingness and proportion of transgender persons diagnosed with gender dysphoria to receive gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is relatively high, so as to conform to their internal gender identity. However, there are limited studies on the prospectively observation of the influences and effectiveness of GAHT on physical, psychological, social and quality of life of transgender people. This study is a cross-sectional research prospective cohort study design, and the research framework is developed based on gender minority stress theory. It is expected to recruit a group of 150 transgender people, including trans male, trans female, and non-binary person, who have just started using GAHT, and a group of 150 who has not yet received GAHT. The data collection time is about 40-50 minutes each time. The questionnaires will be applied to collect basic demographic information, basic hormonal information, body changes, body image, sexual wellbeing, sexual risk, depression, social support, and quality of life. The instruments will be applied to measure participants' physiological parameters, including weight, body fat, and muscle mass, hand grip strength, and blood pressure. In the statistical part, correlation and regression will be used to analyze the degree of correlation between variables, and multivariate analysis of covariance will be used to detect whether there was a significant difference between the variables of the two groups. A well understanding of the experiences and reactions of transgender people receiving hormone therapy can provide a reference for transgender people before deciding to accept hormone therapy, and can be used as an important reference for formulating care guidelines for gender-affirming hormone therapy to improve the care quality for the gender minority population.
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