Skip to content
The Kids Research Institute Australia logo
Donate

Discover . Prevent . Cure .

Search

Research

The Role of the Avatar in Gaming for Trans and Gender Diverse Young People

A significant proportion of trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people report membership of the gaming community and resultant benefits to wellbeing. To date their experiences and needs regarding a key feature of games, the avatar, are largely unexplored, despite increasing interest in the therapeutic role of avatars in the general population. The aim of this study was to better understand the role of the avatar in gaming, its impact on TGD young people's mental health, and their unique needs regarding avatar design.

Research

Affirming schools, population-level data, and holistic public health are key to addressing mental ill-health and substance use disparities among gender and sexuality diverse young people

Yael Perry BPsych (Hons) MPsych (Clin) PhD Program Head, Mental Health & Youth; Head, Youth Mental Health 08 6319 1298 yael.perry@thekids.org.au

Research

Transgender

Transgender is a term that includes people whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to conventional gender notions of male or female.

Research

Second-level hospital health professionals' attitudes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents seeking health for their children

The aim was to assess health professionals' knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender parents accessing healthcare.

Research

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.

Research

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. 

Research

Gender differences in the experience of psychotic-like experiences and their associated factors: A study of adolescents from the general population

"Psychotic-Like Experiences" (PLEs) are common in the general population. While they are usually transient and resolve spontaneously, they can be distressing and signify increased risk for later psychosis or other psychopathology. It is important to investigate factors associated with PLEs which could be targeted to reduce their prevalence and impact. Males and females are known to experience PLEs differently, but any gender differences in the relationships between PLEs and other, potentially targetable, factors are currently unknown.

Research

Computerized cognitive behavioural therapy for gender minority adolescents: Analysis of the real-world implementation of SPARX in New Zealand

SPARX is a form of computerized cognitive behavioural therapy in serious game format funded via the Ministry of Health to be freely available in New Zealand. At registration users identify themselves as male, female, transgender or intersex. We aimed to establish whether adolescent transgender users of SPARX, compared to adolescent male and female users, were more likely to have high mental health needs at baseline and were more likely to complete SPARX. We also sought to determine changes in transgender adolescents' depressive symptoms after using SPARX.

News & Events

The Kids celebrate neurodiverse leader selected for prestigious STEM program

A remarkable Institute leader will join a cohort of 25 STEM-qualified women to take part in the prestigious 2024 Women in Leadership Development (WILD) program. 

News & Events

Trans young people at high risk of depression and suicide

Trans Pathways is the largest ever survey conducted into the mental health of trans young people in Australia.