Overview
Tom has spent the past five years studying psychology and has worked for the University of Oxford as a researcher in population health. His previous projects have focused on marginalised populations within specific fields of research. Tom investigated the phenomenology of Valentine's Day in a female cohort for his undergraduate disseration. For his masters dissertation, Tom investigated how cognitive function was affected in a sample of people with fibromylagia in an attempt to better understand the 'brain fog' phenomena.
Tom's PhD focuses on transgender individuals and their relational partners (e.g., family, friends, spouses etc.). He has completed two studies on this project already and is now is research toward developing a theroetical framework of the roles support and communication play in positive relationships and their impact on perceptions of stigma. Tom is a correspondent of the larger START project which seeks to help in the identifying of future research agendas for trans people, their social networks and various clinicians.
Qualifications
2:1 - BSc (Hons) Psychology - Oxford Brookes University
Merit - MSc Health Psychology - Aston University
Research group links
Research
Research interests
Tom's research intrerests are mainly focussed on underrepresented populations with a focus on identity and inequality. Social relationships also tie into his interests along with stigma.
Research projects
PhD project - Social relationships during gender identity transition: An investigation of key factors and development of an intervention targeting transgender individuals and their significant peer groups
Publications
Key publications | Publications by category | Publications by year
Publications by category
Journal articles
Doyle D, Lewis T, Barreto M (In Press). A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Functioning Changes after Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy among Transgender People. Nature Human Behaviour
Lewis T, Barreto M, Doyle DM (In Press). Stigma, Identity and Support in Social Relationships of Transgender People throughout Transition: a Qualitative Analysis of Multiple Perspectives. Journal of Social Issues
Lewis T, Doyle DM, Barreto M, Jackson D (2021). Social Relationship Experiences of Transgender People and Their Relational Partners: a Meta-Synthesis. Social Science and Medicine
Publications by year
In Press
Doyle D, Lewis T, Barreto M (In Press). A Systematic Review of Psychosocial Functioning Changes after Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy among Transgender People. Nature Human Behaviour
Lewis T, Barreto M, Doyle DM (In Press). Stigma, Identity and Support in Social Relationships of Transgender People throughout Transition: a Qualitative Analysis of Multiple Perspectives. Journal of Social Issues
2023
Lewis T (2023). Exploring the Dynamics of Transgender People’s Relationships.
Abstract:
Exploring the Dynamics of Transgender People’s Relationships
Transgender people’s relationships have the potential to improve everyday functioning, identity, and well-being via specific pathways. While some past research has attempted to conceptualize these pathways, this work has often been theoretical rather than empirical or does not elaborate upon the specific relational experiences of transgender people (focusing on broader groups of marginalized identities instead). This thesis aimed to explore, identify, and test relational mechanisms specific to transgender people. First, potential mechanisms by which relationships influence health and well-being for transgender people are drawn from a meta-synthesis of existing literature. Second, a qualitative study composed of focus groups and interviews elucidates these mechanisms and how they are enacted through the perspective of transgender people, relational partners, and service providers. Third, concerns in imagined interactions between cisgender and transgender women are explored in order to investigate potential differences between these groups. Fourth, a diary study highlights the way in which daily relational factors contribute to positive self-image among transgender people. These studies collectively showed that positive social relationships for transgender people and their relational partners are based around concepts like gender affirmation, reciprocal coping, boosting positive self-image, and reducing the effects of stigma. However, negative relationships involved notions of identity rejection, contributing to stigma, and the forcing of gender concealment from some relational partners. These findings have implications for several domains like policy and therapeutic practice which are discussed at the end of this thesis.
Abstract.
2021
Lewis T, Doyle DM, Barreto M, Jackson D (2021). Social Relationship Experiences of Transgender People and Their Relational Partners: a Meta-Synthesis. Social Science and Medicine
Tom_Lewis Details from cache as at 2023-12-11 00:28:42
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