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Trajectories of Adaptation to Traumatic Stress in a Vulnerable Population

Award Number: SC3GM136580
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2025

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Trajectories of Adaptation to Traumatic Stress in a Vulnerable Population - Transgender individuals are disproportionately burdened by chronic (e.g., interpersonal rejection) and acute (victimization) discrimination. According to minority stress theory, both forms of discrimination are associated with adverse mental health outcomes including PTSD, a stress sensitive disorder that may arise from exposure to life-threatening events, serious injury, or sexual assault. While PTSD effects an estimated 6.8% of the U.S. general population, prevalence estimates in transgender samples range from 18%-61%. Arguably, both PTSD and chronic and persistent threats to one’s identity in the form of everyday discrimination produce similar stress responses. Exposure to daily discrimination may also exacerbate traumatic stress responses for transgender people already exposed to traumatic stressors. However, the unique and interactive effects of these stressors are poorly understood, particularly among transgender individuals. Understanding the impact of daily discrimination on the onset, maintenance, and course of PTSD in the acute aftermath of trauma exposure has been stymied by reliance on cross-sectional and self-report methods. Longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate temporal pathways among traumatic stress, daily discrimination, and PTSD. Further, given that the leading explanatory theory for minority health disparities proposes that stressors associated with minority status lead to negative mental health outcomes through a host of shared mechanisms inter- and intrapersonal mechanisms, it is important to conduct research with gender minorities to understand the unique processes that contribute to observed disparities. Whereas the majority of transgender individuals demonstrate resilience in a context of pervasive societal oppression, uncovering biopsychosocial mechanisms underlying vulnerability to and protection against chronic trauma-related distress and functional impairment represents a key research priority. The goal of this SC3 is to fill a substantial gap in the science of adaptation to traumatic stress by examining trajectories and mechanisms of risk and resilience among transgender individuals assessed using a multimethod longitudinal approach. The PI will recruit a diverse sample of trauma-exposed transgender individuals in New York City to participate in a multimethod longitudinal research protocol. Participants who enroll in the study will complete a gold-standard clinical interview to assess PTSD symptoms and provide a salivary cortisol sample within 1-month of trauma exposure, and again at a 3, 6, and 12-month follow-up assessments. For 14-days following the baseline, 3, and 6-month assessment session, participants will also complete daily diary measures assessing degree and type of exposure to daily discrimination and putative intra- and interpersonal mechanisms of risk and resilience responses to traumatic stress. Findings from the study will culminate in the development of research and practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of PTSD among those exposed to ongoing gender-related stigma and stress.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$6,396 )
2025	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	4	3/7/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2025	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	003	4	7/11/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2025	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	002	4	6/16/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$6,396
2025	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	4	2/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = -$6,396

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $117,000 )
2023	2023	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	4	8/28/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$117,000
														Subtotal = $117,000

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $117,000 )
2022	2022	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	3	9/9/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$117,000
														Subtotal = $117,000

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $117,000 )
2021	2021	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	2	8/10/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$117,000
2021	2020	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	10/29/2020	NEW	$0
														Subtotal = $117,000

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $117,000 )
2020	2020	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	9/1/2020	NEW	$117,000
														Subtotal = $117,000

Grand Total All Awards = $461,604

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Trajectories of Adaptation to Traumatic Stress in a Vulnerable Population

Award Number: SC3GM136580

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2025

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