Russell Toomey Research Lab
Our Mission
Thriving and Resilience among youth with marginalized Identities and Expressions
As a family and developmental scientist, Dr. Toomey examines the intersections of identity, oppression, public policy, and health and well-being among sexual and gender minority populations. Their research focuses on exploring how sexual and gender minority youth, with a particular emphasis on Latinx SGM youth, not only navigate but also thrive amidst the oppressive barriers and challenges present in society. To achieve these objectives, their research identifies adaptable individual-level mechanisms, such as coping strategies and activism, as well as systemic-level policies, such as inclusive school policies, that mitigate the effects of discrimination and promote optimal health, well-being, and educational outcomes.
Current Projects
Braving and Enduring the U.S. as Authentic Trans youth Study (BEATS)
This ongoing project examines trans and nonbinary youths' (aged 13-17) experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic while simutaneously dealing with over 100 pieces of legislation that were targeted toward limiting the rights of trans youth.
Experiences of Parents and Caregivers of Transgender and Non-Binary Youth Study in the U.S.
This study is the first large-scale, national study of parents/caregivers of trans and non-binary (TNB) youth. We sought to understand the demographic profile of parents/caregivers of TNB youth, their understanding of their child's gender development, the resources and supports they used to help them to parent a trans youth, and the barriers they encounter across schools, healthcare systems, legal systems, and their broader communities as parents of trans youth.
Mental Health Risk and Resilience among Latinx SGM Adolescents and their Parents
This NIH-funded (1R01MD019678-01) project utilizes a family-based approach to address how culturally-relevant family relationship dynamics among Latinx sexual and gender minority (SGM) adolescents and their parents inform health inequalities. A new parallel adolescent-report measure of Latinx parent acceptance will be developed to work with an existing parent- report measure of Latinx parent acceptance of their SGM adolescents; this new measure – along with other key indicators of general and SGM-specific family relationships and structural and social determinants of health will be studied as predictors of family mental health. The new dyadic tool and intersectional approach will provide novel information to develop culturally-relevant, family-based interventions to reduce health disparities among Latinx SGM adolescent populations.