Jae Puckett received the 2022 Transgender Research Award from the Society of Sexual Orientation, Division 44 of the American Psychological Association. 

The APA’s Division 44 focuses on the diversity of human sexual orientations and gender identities by promoting relevant research and education in the pursuit of social justice. The Society aims to further educate the public on sexual and gender diversity with hopes to enact change on public policy and advance the health and well-being of those in the LGBTQ+ community. 

The Transgender Research Award highlights and honors research that makes a notable contribution to this goal of understanding, health and well-being of transgender people and gender diversity in society. Puckett earned the recognition based on their most recent research area surrounding minority stress in transgender and gender diverse communities. 

“Minority stress refers to the unique challenges that marginalized groups experience in addition to the general stressors that everyone may endure,” Puckett said. “For example, anyone may be stressed about challenges with their boss at work or with their colleagues, but a trans person may also face discrimination, harassment or bias from others at their job.”

The Minority Stress Model was created with lesbian, gay or bisexual individuals who were cisgender in mind. Puckett and their team are developing new measures to help address this gap, building on prior research gained from intensive data collection on the experiences of transgender and gender diverse people and the stressors that emerged in their lives. 

To read more about Puckett, visit socialscience.msu.edu