A look at detransition/retransition research studies happening around the world
In this post, we briefly review several detransition/retransition research projects that haven't yet been published in mainstream academic journals or are still in active data collection/analysis
The growing visibility of detransition has attracted the interest of many researchers around the world. The disciplinary perspectives these scholars bring are diverse, from gender studies to psychology, sociology, and cultural studies.
These projects all represent great contributions to what we suspect is beginning to unfold—an academic field of detransition studies.
In today’s post, we wanted to review some academic projects (that we know of, at least!) that have recently been conducted but have not yet been published in academic journals, or that are “in the pipeline,” so to speak. This means that they’re still in active data collection or analysis and could be published in the next few years.
Many of these are master’s or PhD projects in the health and social sciences that haven’t received much attention in the fields of gender-affirming healthcare or trans health. However, they provide important insights into the experiences and needs associated with detransition.
These projects apply a range of methodologies—mainly qualitative—and they generate similar, yet wide ranging, results.
All of these projects deserve visibility and consideration, so... Why not write about them?
This newsletter is something that in academic jargon we would call a “knowledge mobilization” project, or “knowledge translation and exchange.” This means that The One Percent is intended to communicate academic knowledge about detransition and gender fluidity with “knowledge users”—such as you!
It sounds a bit transactional, doesn’t it?
Well, it is.
In fact, having a good knowledge translation and exchange plan is a requirement for most research grant applications today.
The institutionalization of knowledge translation and exchange within the academic knowledge production enterprise emerged with good intentions to speed up the process of moving new knowledge into society. And more specifically, into the hands of knowledge users and decision-makers.
It’s been said that new research and ideas can take several years to make an impact on society and/or be implemented into practice. For example, some studies have estimated that research evidence takes up to 17 years to reach the public, policy makers, and clinical practice.
What will happen with emerging insights from detransition research? With the current climate of polarization and controversy we’re living in regarding gender care and trans rights, it’s difficult to know.
Our goal for this post is to show that this field of research (if we can really call it that at this point?), while still in its infancy, is in the process of exploring and developing knowledge about a broad range of people with experiences of detransition, retransition, and gender fluidity.
We’re lucky to know a few of these researchers, either from brief email correspondence or from Zoom meetings.
With others, we’ve even had the chance of working closer (shout out to Kirsty Rackliff, who did a short visiting research placement on the DARE study in Toronto earlier this year!), or we’ve served in brief, often informal, consultation roles.
If you know of any projects that we missed, or if you are a researcher studying this topic, please get in touch and let us know!
We can add to this post and let it grow as we become aware of more related research projects. We are also open to sharing calls for research participants, so feel free to reach out.
Projects that have been completed
# Undergraduate level
Author: Faye Gear
Country: Canada
University: University of Western Ontario
Title: A thematic analysis of detransitioners’ experience and development
In this study, the author conducted Zoom interviews with five women who had detransitioned and analyzed the data using thematic analysis. The author identified mental health issues, fear of puberty, discomfort with femaleness/femininity, and peer influence as themes related to the participants’ main reasons for transitioning, and improvements or shifts in mental health and changes in their environment as themes related to their main reasons for detransitioning.
Based on these findings, the author discusses implications for healthcare approaches to gender dysphoria.
The full document is available here.
# Master’s level
Author: Phillipp Ebert
Country: Germany
University: University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg
Title: Life satisfaction and treatment experiences of detransitioners in Germany
In this study, the author explored German detransitioners’ treatment experiences, levels of social support, and life satisfaction using self-report online questionnaires, as well as other relevant sociodemographic and clinical data.
Although we know it’s been submitted and defended, we were unable to access the final report, so we’re linking the document where you can find the abstract that the author presented at the 5th European Professional Association for Transgender Health conference, which was held in Ireland last year.
# PhD level
Author: Van Slothouber
Country: Canada
University: University of Western Ontario
Title: Narratives of de/retransition: Disrupting the boundaries of gender and time
In this study, the author conducted interviews with three participants from Canada and the United States who had detransitioned. The analysis of the interviews revealed a complex picture of experiences and factors that shaped transition and destransition, including early negative feedback about gender nonconformity, trauma and mental health issues, and interpersonal difficulties during transition.
Based on their narratives, the author argued that detransition needs more understanding among professionals and reduced “moral panic” on the issue, as well as expanded healthcare access and specific supports. They also critique the cis/trans binary, present a media analysis of dominant detrans discourse, and deeply engage with Brian Belovitch’s memoir Trans figured: My journey from boy to girl to woman to man.
The full document is available here, although the results of the interviews with participants are presented in Chapter 4.
Author: Michael O’Donnell
Country: United Kingdom
University: University of Birmingham
Title: Understanding the lived experience of people who detransition in the United Kingdom: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
In this study, the author conducted interviews with six participants who had detransitioned and analyzed the data using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Findings revealed that the decision to detransition was preceded by a buildup period of questioning and realization about transition, and often involved emotional and interpersonal challenges. Participants also reflected on the complexities of processing their feelings, changing perspectives, and identities, and shared experiences of discrimination and stigma associated with detransition. Many highlighted positive aspects of detransitioning, such as increased self-growth and resilience.
Drawing on these findings, the author stresses the importance of providing therapeutic support during detransition due to its emotional complexity.
The full document is available here.
Author: Amy C. Maragos
Country: United States
University: University of Missouri-Kansas City
Title: Detransition emergence
In this study, the author conducted interviews with 13 participants with experiences of detransition. Analysis of the data revealed that both internal and external factors influenced the participants’ decision to transition and detransition, broadly including mental health issues, lack of support and understanding, internalized homophobia, and dissatisfaction with transition. The study also highlighted changes in interpersonal relationships, increased self-acceptance and well-being, and loss of previous support as outcomes of detransition.
The author argues that there’s a need for increased awareness of detransition, appropriate supports, and more research.
The full document is available here.
Author: Michael L. Haarer
Country: United States
University: Regent University
Title: A phenomenological study of the experience of gender detransitioning
In this study, the author interviewed 10 participants who had detransitioned and analyzed the data using descriptive phenomenology. The study identified several factors related to the decision to transition, including hope for improvement, external influences, and mental health issues; and detransition, including loss of faith in transition, physical and emotional pain, and feelings of inauthenticity. Participants shared a wide range of emotions and perspectives about their transition, from regret to seeing it as an opportunity for growth, and expressed a need for support and to repair their trust in the healthcare system.
Based on this, the author discusses implications for healthcare approaches to gender dysphoria and the need for specific resources for detransitioners and increased understanding through research.
The full document is available here.
Projects in active data collection or analysis
Author: Pablo Expósito-Campos
Country: Spain
University: University of the Basque Country
Title: NORTASUN: An exploratory study of experiences of gender transition and detransition
One of us (Pablo) is in the process of analyzing data for a PhD project aimed at understanding the experiences and needs of adults with different gender identity trajectories. The study is called NORTASUN, which is the Basque word for “identity.” There’s a website for the study that explains its motivation, objetives, and methodology, although it’s only available in Spanish.
The study recruited Spanish-speaking participants over the age of 18 who self-identified as trans/nonbinary or as having discontinued transition/detransitioned, regardless of the type of transition they had made (social, medical, or both). The design of the study was mixed-methods, so participants were invited to an interview that asked questions about their gender development, experiences, and mental health, and completed a series of self-report questionnaires measuring various aspects of gender, mental health, and quality of life.
The final sample for the study was 52, including 29 trans/nonbinary participants and 23 participants who have discontinued transition/detransitioned. Some preliminary results were presented at the 28th Scientific Symposium of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, held in Lisbon earlier this year.
The study has a particular focus on exploring potential similarities and differences between trans/nonbinary participants and those who have discontinued transition/detransitioned, as well as specific physical and mental health needs that allow for a better understanding of how to provide better care and support to individuals with heterogeneous gender trajectories from a psychological perspective.
As part of the theoretical framework of NORTASUN, Pablo has published
A systematic review of empirically supported affirmative psychological interventions for trans/nonbinary youth and adults.
A critical review of detransition literature.
A systematic review of qualitative and mixed method studies of detransition experiences.
Author: Kirsty Rackliff
Country: United Kingdom
University: University of Nottingham
This study is currently in the process of data collection.
Kirsty’s PhD project explores representations of detransition across different digital platforms and publications, specifically X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok. Her research aims to not only identify the prevailing themes and narratives of detransition on social media, but to situate these in a broader socio-political context.
Author: Logan Fica
Country: United States
University: Michigan State University
Title: Detransition, Baby: Minority stress and the choice to transition, detransition, and retransition
This study is currently in the process of data collection. A link to the survey is available here.
The main purpose of this study is to understand detransitioners’ experiences of minority stress over the course of their gender transition and detransition. The questions asked in the survey relate not only to experiences of transition and detransition, but also to retransition.
Author: Tait Sanders
Country: Australia
University: University of Southern Queensland
Tait’s PhD is focused on examining detransition from a queer theory, gender studies, and cultural studies lens. Tait presented some of this work in a bold and creative presentation at the 2nd International Trans Studies Conference in September, 2024, held at Northwestern University. Tait is early in the process of clarifying this project, so please check back for updates.
As part of this PhD, Tait has published an excellent analysis of social media narratives on detransition that is available here.
Author: Jonathan O’Neill
Country: Australia
University: Curtin University
Title: Gender journeys
This study is currently in the process of data collection. A link to the survey is available here.
The main purpose of this study is to explore and understand the experiences of people who have experienced changes in gender identity over time.
Well, that’s it for now…
Check back here from time to time for an update to the list of projects!
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Hi there. I am also conducting research and wondered if I could get in touch? I’m a doctoral student in London. I’ve only now come across your Substack but I’m familiar with your work as I’ve cited your papers in my draft literature review. Happy to share my contact details, but not sure how to do it privately. You can find me on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandi-durnford-slater?