Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Project
Degree Name
Master of Social Work
Department
School of Social Work
First Reader/Committee Chair
Appiah-Kubi, Jamal
Abstract
Incarcerated transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience disproportionately high rates of suicide risk, and correctional environments may intensify minority stress through institutional misrecognition, discrimination, victimization, and restricted access to gender-affirming care. Despite protective policy reforms such as Senate Bill 132, limited research have examined how structural practices shape suicidal ideation among incarcerated TGD populations. This study will investigate how denial of gender-affirming recognition and staff support contributes to suicidal ideation among incarcerated TGD adults in California state prisons. From the perspective of the Gender Minority Stress framework, this study will use a convergent mixed-methods design to examine both statistical relationships and lived experiences. Approximately 100 incarcerated TGD participants will be recruited using stratified sampling procedures. Quantitative data will be collected through a structured survey including demographic items, an adapted Gender Minority Stress and Resilience Measure, and the Columbia–Suicide Severity Rating Scale. Numerical data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple regression to examine associations between incarceration-based minority stress and suicidal ideation. Qualitative data will be gathered through semi-structured interviews with a purposive subsample of participants. Non-numerical data will be transcribed, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis to contextualize and complement quantitative outcomes. Findings are expected to inform social work practice, strengthen correctional policy implementation, and guide gender-affirming suicide prevention strategies aimed at improving mental health outcomes for incarcerated TGD individuals.
Recommended Citation
Alcala, Julliana Lex and Roxas, Allyza Rae, "STRUCTURAL ERASURE AND SUICIDE RISK: THE IMPACT OF GENDER MISRECOGNITION AND INSTITUTIONAL NONSUPPORT ON INCARCERATED TRANSGENDER ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA" (2026). Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations. 2511.
https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/2511