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Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Transgender Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (T-KAB) Scale

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Abstract

There remains a limited understanding of current levels of transgender-related knowledge and acceptance among members of the general public. This study sought to develop and psychometrically evaluate a transgender knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs (T-KAB) scale in the general US population. We developed and evaluated the reliability and validity of the T-KAB scale in two phases. In phase one, we developed the T-KAB scale through a robust, iterative process that included a literature review; expert feedback from cisgender and transgender professionals engaged in psychometrics and transgender health; review of prior qualitative interviews with transgender individuals, healthcare providers with a range of experience caring for transgender patients, and members of the general population; and pilot testing. In phase two, a geographically diverse convenience sample of 195 adults recruited online from the US general population completed the T-KAB scale and measures to assess scale validity. Factor analyses revealed a 22-item, 3-factor measure representing: acceptance of the gender spectrum, social tolerance, and comfort and contact related to transgender people. The scale demonstrated strong internal consistency (α = .97) and evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. Additionally, members of the general population were found to have moderate levels of transgender acceptance overall and across the three subscales. The T-KAB scale is a valid and reliable psychometric tool. Future application of the scale should seek to identify socio-demographic, cultural, and geographic factors driving lower T-KAB scores in order to identify subpopulations that would benefit from interventions to improve transgender-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs in the general population.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. Marney White as well as the transgender health experts, students, clinicians, and community members who contributed their time and effort to support the development of this measure. Ms. Clark acknowledges the funding support from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Dowdle Fellowship in Mental Health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Kirsty A. Clark

  2. Departments of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Epidemiology Brown University School of Public Health Providence, Providence, RI, USA

    Jaclyn M.W. Hughto

  3. Center for Health Equity Research, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA

    Jaclyn M.W. Hughto

  4. The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA, USA

    Jaclyn M.W. Hughto

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  1. Kirsty A. Clark
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  2. Jaclyn M.W. Hughto
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Correspondence to Kirsty A. Clark.

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Clark, K.A., Hughto, J.M. Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Transgender Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs (T-KAB) Scale. Sex Res Soc Policy 17, 353–363 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-019-00399-9

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