TransTok: A digital ethnographic study using content analysis to investigate transgender and gender diverse ‘for you page’ content on TikTok that may affect mental health
Author Identifier
Karen Lombardi: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8016-2197
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
International Journal of Transgender Health
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
81974
Funders
The Kids Research Institute
Abstract
Background: Transgender and gender diverse (“trans”) people are more likely to experience adverse mental health outcomes due to the social adversities that are commonly experienced. One ameliorating factor for poor mental health outcomes can be connection to community, often facilitated in online spaces such as TikTok. Aim: This study aimed to describe the types of content on TikTok that a trans person may encounter. Methods: A digital ethnographic methodology was used. The research team created an account on TikTok, then curated the For You Page (FYP) by engaging in trans-related content. Data was then collected via the first 150 videos that appeared on the FYP. Publicly available demographic variables on the video were collected manually. Videos were included if they were created by Trans creators discussing factors which could impact mental health, such as social support or adversity. Qualitative inductive content analysis was then performed on video content and the top 5 comments to generate categories. Data collection through analysis was performed between September and November 2023. Results: Three main categories were generated: (1) community connection, (2) engaging in discourse, (3) recounting experiences of social adversity. The categories highlight the trans community’s willingness to share information, experiences with each other as a form of online support. In addition, trans users were active in engaging with discourses about trans identities and politics. As part of sharing experiences and information, trans users also highlighted the social adversity they have experienced directly tied to their trans identity. Discussion: The results have shown that the curation of the FYP to reflect trans-related content can be a safe space for trans people to find social support. This implies benefits to the use of TikTok on mental health and wellbeing. Future studies should investigate the mental health impacts of engagement on TikTok among trans people.
DOI
10.1080/26895269.2025.2492613
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Paciente, R., Kouznetsova, E., Shrimali, T., Strauss, P., Lombardi, K., & Woolard, A. (2025). # TransTok: A digital ethnographic study using content analysis to investigate transgender and gender diverse ‘for you page’content on TikTok that may affect mental health. International Journal of Transgender Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/26895269.2025.2492613