NCT07480590

GLOW: Gender-Affirming Care and Mental Health: A Longitudinal Study On Quality of Life, Work Life, and Healthcare Outcomes

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 500 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Region Skane · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: —

Summary

GLOW is a longitudinal mixed-methods study based at the NHV Gender Dysphoria Clinic in Region Skåne. It includes registry-based, qualitative interviews and repeated self-report measures up to 5 years after baseline assessment. Quantitative analyses will include regression models and Bayesian methods.

Detailed description

PURPOSE AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS Gender dysphoria is a condition characterized by distress or impairment following an incongruence between one's experienced/expressed gender and the sex one was assigned at birth (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). It is relatively rare but associated with significant mental and social adversity (Dhejne et al., 2016; Valentine et al., 2018; Pinna et al., 2022). Its negative consequences not only impact the individual but also extends to families and loved ones (Pullen Sansfaçon et al., 2022). According to the minority stress theory, individuals from stigmatized minority groups, such as those with gender incongruence, experience chronic stress due to societal prejudice and discrimination, exacerbating mental health issues (Hunter et al., 2021). Research Questions Taken together, understanding the trajectories of gender dysphoria is crucial. Such research can help determine which individuals benefit most from gender-affirming care and who might dropout during the process or experience dissatisfaction post-transition. Adapting current services to meet individual needs is essential. The current project will employ both quantitative and qualitative methods integrated into the clinical practice at the Gender Dysphoria Clinic, Region Skåne a National Highly Specialized Care unit (NHV), along with information from relevant databases and registries to achieve this goal. 1. What are the baseline characteristics in individuals seeking gender-affirming care and do any of these predict outcomes of gender-affirmative care? 2. Do individuals with gender dysphoria experience improved or reduced quality of life, gender congruence, or functional capacity after gender-affirming care? 3. Does gender-affirming care reduce or increase psychiatric symptoms and self-concept clarity? 4. What are the effects of gender-affirming care on mortality, work capacity, and healthcare resource utilization as compared to an age and gender-controlled comparison group?

Conditions

• Gender Dysphoria, Adult

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-12-01
• Primary completion: 2030-12-01
• Completion: 2030-12-01
• First posted: 2026-03-18
• Last updated: 2026-03-18

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Sweden