Research Opportunities

We are research group in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota working on a study looking at current disordered eating behavior and experiences of discrimination in individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. This study has been approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.

This study will be completed online at a single time point and participation is voluntary. People who are interested in participating will complete a series of questionnaires about their sexual orientation, gender identity, and psychological experiences. In exchange for their participation, participants will receive a $15 Amazon gift card.

A few important things to know about the study are:

1. This study will include only participants who are 18-30 years old, identify as LGBTQ+, and endorse current (past month) disordered eating behavior
2. Personal identification collected for compensation will not be linked to questionnaire responses; data collection will be completely anonymous.
3. Participation is completely online and is expected to take about 45-60 minutes.
4. Participation is voluntary. The link we provide will direct potential participants to a website telling them about the study. Once on that site, they can decide if they want to participate. If anyone starts to participate and decides they no longer feel comfortable or they are no longer interested, they can end their participation without any penalty.
5. In addition to collecting information from participants, we will also provide links to treatment and informational resources following study participation.

If you are interested in this study, please go to the survey link: (LGBTQ Health Study Screening) and take the initial assessment to see if you qualify. Alternatively, you can contact the postdoctoral researcher, Melissa Simone, Ph.D., for more information at 612-273-0912 or (umn.lgbtqhealth@gmail.com).

If you are not interested in participating but you know someone who might be, please feel free to forward this information and the link to the study.

Thank you for your time and consideration.