TNB People's Experience of Relational Trauma with Parental Figures

This research project aims to develop theoretical frameworks that elucidate TNB individuals' experiences with parental relational trauma, with four specific goals 1) to construct a grounded theory on TNB people’s experiences of parental harm and its impact on intra- and interpersonal functioning; 2) to assess the intersectional impact of relational trauma on TNB individuals' resilience against minority stress; 3) to identify sources and processes of healing from relational trauma and post-traumatic growth; and 4) to establish methodological guidelines for conducting ethically sound and emotionally safe trauma research within the TNB population.

Community Zine from the Study

Transness is Our Salve: Trans People's Experiences of Healing From Parental Trauma

See the zine here

A full website with more about the study, arts created from the study, and resources

Relevant Research Fundings

2023 – 2025
Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grant ($9,000)
American Psychological Foundation’s (APF)
Research Title: Transgender and Nonbinary People's Experience of Relational Trauma with Parental Figures
Role: Principal Investigator

2023 – 2025
Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment Seed Grant ($4,000)
Ira and Ineva Reilly Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment
Research Title: Transgender and Nonbinary People's Experience of Relational Trauma with Parental Figures
Role: Principal Investigator

Relevant Publications

Lee, J., Barr, S. M. (In Revision). Transness is our salve: How Trans identity facilitates healing from relational trauma with parental figures. Invited to the special issue of the Journal of Traumatic Stress.

Lee, J., Barr, S. M. (in progress). Understanding types of parental harm among transgender and nonbinary people experience relational trauma with parental figures.

Lee, J., Barr, S. M. (in progress). Interpersonal and intrapersonal impacts of relational trauma with parental figures among transgender and nonbinary people.

Lee, J., Barr, S. M. (in progress). Chosen boundaries: The when, how, and impact of distancing from parental figures among transgender and nonbinary people.

Lee, J., Barr, S. M. (in progress). Using grounded theory in a grounded theory way.

Lee, J., Barr, S. M. (in progress). Co-creating healing through community-focused trauma research.

Relevant Awards

Transgender Research Award ($500) Aug 2023
Division 44, American Psychologist Association

Michael Sullivan Diversity Scholarship Fund ($500) May 2023
Ohio Psychological Association

Malyon Smith Scholarship Research Award ($300) June 2023
Division 44, American Psychologist Association

Charlotte Clara Lehman Award for Social Justice Projects ($1200)
Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Presentations

Lee, J., Barr, S. (2023, August). Parental Relational Trauma in Transgender and Nonbinary People: Exploring Intersection with Minority Stress, Healing, and Post-Traumatic Growth. Presented as a symposium session at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington D.C.

We are currently in the final dissemination stage. This page will be continuously updated to provide additional information on the work.

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