RADIANT Study: How romantic relationship violence influences health care in Trans and Nonbinary communities

Focused on improving advocacy and health outcomes for nonbinary and transgender individuals, SDSU’s RADIANT research study examines how difficult experiences in romantic relationships, like intimate partner violence, impact mental health, risk for sexually transmitted infections and access to care.

RADIANT—short for Relationships And Dynamics, Improving Advocacy for Nonbinary and Trans—is a five-year observational study that began in September 2023.  Researcher Erik Storholm, associate professor at the School of Public Health, leads the project with his team.

“Our preliminary findings suggest that trans and nonbinary individuals experience partner violence at high rates, yet few seek help due to limited resources and fear of stigma,” Storholm said. “We are also seeing how partners can create barriers to essential healthcare and sexual health services.”

The study operates in SHEL, the Sexual Health Equity Lab at SDSU, which Storholm founded to address significant health disparities and enhance the mental and physical health of all sexual and gender minorities.

“Our work is vital to inform inclusive policies and public health initiatives,” explained Storholm. “Advocating for LGBTQIA+ communities remains essential to achieve greater health equity and improved health outcomes for all.”

RADIANT partners include the University of Washington, Drexel University, and the RAND Corporation.

Recruitment for study participants is ongoing.