QUESTIONS THAT CONNECT US
Understanding what makes a difference.
Our researchers bring complementary interests in youth well-being, supportive relationships, and the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people.
Education
Education is important
Healthcare
Healthcare is a human right.
- 2026
- 2026
68. Confidently Navigating Care: Mental Health and Healthcare Transition Skills among Gender-Diverse Adolescents and Young Adults
- 2025
167. Gender-Diverse Youths’ Experiences When Accessing Gender-Affirming Care
- 2025
Perspectives of gender-diverse youth and caregivers facing gender-affirming medical intervention bans
- 2025
181. Caregiver Empowerment and Transgender Youths’ Wellbeing Among Families Seeking Gender Health Care
- 2024
Individualized Treatment Progress and Perceived Clinic Support among Adolescents and Young Adults Receiving Care in a Pediatric Gender Health Clinic
- 2024
14. The perspectives of gender-diverse youth and caregivers coping with legislation banning gender-affirming medical interventions
Mental Health & Substance Use
We seek to improve youths' mental health and reduce substance use.
Social Well-Being
Social well-being affects all areas of youths' lives.
4 publications
When “Helping” Hurts: Exploring and Counteracting Narratives of Family Members Opposed to Gender-Affirming Care for Gender-Diverse Youth
RA Brandon-Friedman, TR Swafford, MJ Heinz
LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal 22 (1), 19-39, 2026
Well-being and affirmation experiences among adolescents and young adults receiving care in a gender health clinic
TV Dellucci, A Peipert, M Furlane, TK Fledderman, RA Brandon-Friedman, ...
Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services, 1-20, 2026
169.“Out of the Mouths Of Babes”: Exploring COVID-19’s Impact on Identity Formation for Gender-Diverse Youth
TR Swafford, T Imburgia, RA Brandon-Friedman
Journal of Adolescent Health 74 (3), S90, 2024
Working with the Gender-Diverse Community to Address the Needs of Gender-Diverse Youth
R Brandon-Friedman
Center for Translating Research Into Practice, IU Indianapolis, 2024