The Sexual Health Research Lab is conducting the eSense Non-Binary Study to adapt an online therapeutic platform for non-binary individuals experiencing sexual difficulties. This study seeks to gather feedback from non-binary participants to ensure the eSense program meets their unique needs, ultimately enhancing accessibility and relevance of sexual health treatments in diverse communities.
Purpose of the study:
The purpose of the eSense Non-Binary Study is to adapt the eSense online platform, originally designed for cisgender women, to better serve non-binary individuals experiencing sexual difficulties. Non-binary people lack access to psychological treatments for sexual difficulties that are specifically tailored towards their needs, so an adapted version of eSense offers potential to fill this key gap in healthcare. Soliciting feedback from the non-binary community is essential to adapting eSense into a platform that is inclusive and involves content helpful for non-binary people with sexual difficulties. Our research aims to assess in what ways, if any, eSense needs to be changed to best fit the needs of non-binary people. This study also aims to understand more broadly the need for, and relevance of, treatments for sexual difficulties amongst non-binary people. The results from this study may allow our research team to adapt eSense into a program tailored to non-binary people (eSense Non-Binary), which may increase non-binary people with sexual difficulties’ access to treatment, including those living in remote areas or facing other accessibility barriers. It may also fill healthcare gaps for non-binary people of varying ethnicities, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.
Description of the study:
After recruitment, you will need to consent to participate in the study. After doing so, you will be assigned to be part of a focus group session held via Zoom. One week prior to the focus group session, you will be given access to the first module of the eSense program to review. You will have one week to review this module and reflect on what changes should be made to the content, if any, to make the content more relevant to non-binary people. You will then participate in a single, 2-hour focus group session via Zoom with other non-binary participants, facilitated by two non-binary members of the research team. After the focus group session, you will be sent a link to complete a brief follow-up questionnaire. After completing the questionnaire, you will have the option to review all eight modules of eSense if you wish to. After completing each module, you would be sent a brief questionnaire to complete to provide your feedback on the module.
Principal Investigator: Dr. Lori Brotto
Graduate student co-lead: Kiarah O’Kane
Who can participate?
Non-binary (e.g., gender non-conforming, genderfluid, genderqueer, etc.) people who:
- Are ≥ 19 years of age
- Report symptoms of sexual difficulties
- Are fluent in English
- Have reliable internet access and basic competency in using online platforms
- Are able and willing to review modules of an online program for one week, participate in a two-hour focus group session, and complete brief associated questionnaires
- Are able and willing to discuss content related to gender, sex, and anatomy.
Location of the study: online
Type of compensation:
Participants will be entered into a prize draw with a 1 in 10 chance of winning $100.
How do I get involved?
If you are interested in taking part in this study, please contact Kiarah, our graduate student research assistant coordinating eSense: Non-Binary at kiarah.okane@psych.ubc.ca