Work

The Relationship Between Political Ideologies of Clinical Mental Health Counselors and Their Decisions About Client Requests for Letters Supporting Gender Affirming Chest Masculinization Surgeries

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigated the relationship between clinical mental health counselors’ (CMHCs) political ideologies and their reported decisions regarding gender-affirming chest masculinization surgery (GACMS) support letters in a clinical vignette. Participants (N = 134) rated their likelihood of writing a letter and using four treatment approaches. Conservative and Republican CMHCs were less likely than liberal and Democrat CMHCs to report that they would provide letters. However, political ideology and party affiliation were not significantly associated with likelihood of refusing to write letters or implementing treatment approaches. Possible explanations for these findings and recommendations for future research were discussed.

Source: Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling

DOI: 10.1080/26924951.2026.2729973

Authors: Aaron L. Norton, Erica L. Liddil, Tony Xing Tan

Institutions: University of South Florida, North China Electric Power University

Language: English

Topic: LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W7223326713

FWCI:

Cites: 50

Cited by:

Related to: 10