Exploring Transgender and Gender-Diverse Adolescents' Reactions to Caring Contacts Messaging for Suicide Prevention:...

While research suggests that transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) adolescents are at increased risk of suicide, few preventive interventions have been developed specifically for this population. The purpose of this study was to explore TGD adolescents' perspectives regarding Caring Contacts, a low-cost suicide prevention intervention, to determine needed adaptations for use with TGD adolescents in gender clinic settings.

Thirty TGD adolescents, aged 13-19 years, who had a current or prior report of suicidal ideation on the Ask Suicide-Screening Questions were recruited from a specialty gender clinic during the summer of 2023. Participants completed a virtual qualitative interview exploring perspectives on Caring Contacts messaging and delivery in the context of a gender clinic setting. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by four research team members using thematic analysis methods.

Overall, participants thought that the program could be helpful but had several suggestions for improvement. Specific themes included (1) wanting more personalization (of message content and method and timing of message delivery), (2) preferences regarding program logistics (two-way messaging, messages delivered via text, and letting adolescents decide whether to include parents), (3) preferred message content (focused on validation, support, conveying hope, and reinforcing patient's autonomy), and (4) the value of using artwork to make messages more engaging.

This is the first study to evaluate and describe needed adaptations for Caring Contacts for use with TGD adolescents seen in a gender clinic setting. The results have implications for informing program adaptations to reduce suicide risk among this high-risk population.