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Online Program

334979
Policies and practices attherapeutic boarding schools regarding gender nonconforming and transgender youths


Monday, November 2, 2015

Bryan Cochran, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Hillary Gleason, BA, Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Kathryn Oost, MA, Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Nicholas Livingston, MA, Department of Psychology, University of Montana, Missoula, MT
objectives:  Gender nonconforming (GNC) and transgender individuals are at elevated risk for a number of health disparities, including depression, homelessness, and suicidal behavior (Bockting et al., 2013; Rotondi, 2012; Shipherd et al., 2011). Both externalizing and internalizing problems experienced by these youth may result in alternative school placements, including therapeutic boarding schools. These specialized environments combine academic curricula and a therapeutic milieu in a residential setting; however, it is not known whether these programs are inclusive of GNC and transgender youth.

methods:  Therapeutic boarding school programs will be accessed through the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) directory. All 160 programs will be contacted via telephone, and admissions staff will be interviewed regarding policies, experiences with GNC and transgender students, staff training needs, and basic program data. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses will be conducted to determine the extent to which programs meet GNC and transgender students’ needs through policies and practice.

results:  At present, seven interviews have been conducted with admissions staff. Though no schools report formalized policies regarding transgender youth, two did report having had GNC or transgender students, and two reported having had specialized training for staff on transgender issues. Themes from these interviews will be analyzed by separate coders to determine common practices.

conclusion: GNC and transgender youth do seek services at therapeutic boarding schools, though facilities segregated by gender and a lack of policies regarding these youth may be obstacles to providing appropriate services.

Learning Areas:

Diversity and culture
Public health or related public policy
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe policies and practices regarding transgender and gender nonconforming youth at therapeutic boarding schools in the U.S.

Keyword(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT), Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a clinical psychologist and LGBT health researcher. I hold a faculty position at the University of Montana.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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