Test-Retest Reliability and Sensitivity of a Brief Clinical Monitoring Measure for Transgender and Gender Diverse Adults: The Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-In (TC3)

The current study aimed to examine the test-retest reliability and sensitivity of the Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-In (TC3) in a 3-month period with four assessment points at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months to examine its utility as a clinical progress monitoring measure. This study builds on the initial validation study conducted by Holt et al. (2019). The sample of 32 transgender and gender diverse (TGD) participants were chosen who met screening for at least modest depression and anxiety, and did not have other significant risk factors (e.g., mania, self-harm). Participants completed a battery of measures that assessed mood, well-being, and gender-related constructs at each of the time points in addition to demographic questionnaires. Overall, the TC3 exhibited excellent test-retest reliability. While there was no systematic change in scores, there was some random variation of scores around the mean; and large, within-person correlations between time points. The TC3 also demonstrated convergence with many of the gender-related constructs, and to a lesser degree demonstrated criterion validity with mental health constructs. Further longitudinal study with larger samples in addition to study within intervention frameworks are necessary next steps to understand the utility of the TC3 for assessing systematic change over time. Overall, the current study highlights the initial utility of the TC3 to measure aspects of gender-related well-being across time, such as during health or behavioral health services. Public Significance Statement The overall findings of the study suggest that the Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-In (TC3) is a valid and reliable tool for use with transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in clinical settings, which addresses the dearth of validated, brief TGD-specific assessments that are routine essentials for providing evidence-based care.