142 Facilitating social physical activity among trans and gender diverse adolescents: Parents’ perspectives

Abstract

Objectives/Goals: Inclusive physical activity (PA) interventions could improve trans and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents’ PA levels, perceived social support from peers and adults, and mental health, but no stakeholder-informed interventions exist. We describe parents’ impressions of TGD adolescent children’s PA experiences and advice for a PA intervention. Methods/Study Population: We conducted individual Zoom interviews with parents of 13- to 20-year-old TGD adolescents (n = 15). All parents were recruited from a gender healthcare clinic. All children self-identified as TGD, an umbrella term including people who have a gender identity different from social expectations for their assigned sex. We asked questions regarding children’s current and historical participation in PA, parents’ perceptions of barriers to PA for their TGD children, and parents’ desired intervention components. After each interview, parent participants were compensated $100 for their time. We analyzed interview transcripts, focusing on insights to incorporate in an intervention. This study was approved by the University’s Institutional Review Board. Results/Anticipated Results: Parents shared rich histories of their children’s PA participation, compounding barriers to PA, numerous benefits of PA, and a range of preferences for program activities and inclusive practices (e.g., safety protocols, training for adult leaders). They also emphasized the need for TGD youth to build social connectedness through PA. Discussion/Significance of Impact: We gathered concrete advice from parents on creating a PA intervention, which we will use to build a social PA program that meets TGD adolescents’ needs. Addressing health disparities and improving PA, social support, and mental health among TGD adolescents will require such stakeholder input to improve upon existing PA and sports opportunities.