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Jason Vaught, PsyD, is a 2025 graduate of the PsyD program in Clinical Psychology at Antioch University, Seattle.

Dissertation Committee:

Michael Toohey, PhD, ABPP, Committee Chair

A. Ianto West, PsyD, Committee Member

Melissa Kennedy, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

Primary care, transgender, older, gender diverse, lived experience, interpretive phenomenological analysis, self-advocacy, accessibility, relationships, affirming, gender-affirming care

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

The present study explored the lived experiences of Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) older adults when receiving primary care. The methodology utilized for this study was Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three participants completed individual, semi-structured interviews. The themes that emerged included “Lack of Accessibility to Services,” “Need for Self-Advocacy,” and “Value of Affirming Care from Providers.” These results illustrated the multifarious needs that arise for TGD older adults when accessing primary care. The findings provided recommendations for healthcare organizations, primary care physicians, and other healthcare professionals. Specifically, the recommendations emphasized two key practices for physicians treating TGD older adults: (1) building relationships and (2) adapting to their healthcare needs. The importance of qualitative inquiry was central to the study, aiming to uplift the voices of TGD older adults and highlight their lived experiences when navigating primary care. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Comments

Jason Vaught, PsyD, 2025

ORCID Scholar ID# 0009-0004-0268-7982

Publications/Presentations:

Bergkamp, J., O'Leary Sloan, M., Krizizke, J., Lash, M., Trantel, N.,.Vaught, J., Fulmer, T., Waite, I., Martin, A. M., Scheiderer, C., & Olson, L. (2023). Pathways to the therapist paragon: a decolonial grounded theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 14, 1185762–1185762. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1185762

Vaught, J., (2024, August 10). LGBT Disparities in Accessing Health and Mental Healthcare: Strategies for Prescribing Psychologists [Poster Presentation]. APA 2024, Seattle, WA, USA.

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