Exploring Nonbinary and Transgender Experiences of Embodiment, Wellbeing, and Life Satisfaction.

The research conducted in this study will aim to explore the relationship between embodiment, wellbeing, and life satisfaction in nonbinary and transgender individuals. It also aims to understand how intersecting identities (gender, age, ethnicity, neurodivergence, and disabilities) may also relate to these constructs, to better develop a more holistic and nuanced understanding of nonbinary and transgender experiences of embodiment.

This research is being conducted by Nikhita Sheppard, a PhD student at Birmingham City University – [email protected].

This project has been approved by the Health and Life Sciences Subject Group Ethics & Integrity Committee (project id: Sheppard /#16536 /sub2 /R(4/B) /2026 /Sep /SGREIC - HLS).

If you agree to take part, you will complete an online survey hosted on QuestionPro. You will be asked to provide some basic background information, such as your age, gender, ethnicity, disability status, and if you identify as neurodivergent. You can choose to select “prefer not to say” or ignore any of these questions. You will then complete a series of short questionnaires about your current thoughts and feelings related to embodiment (e.g. ‘I feel in tune with my body’ and ‘I feel “detached” and separate from my body’), mental wellbeing (e.g. ‘I’ve been feeling optimistic about the future’), and satisfaction with life (e.g. ‘In most ways my life is close to my ideal’).

Nonbinary and/or transgender individuals – including those who identify as a gender belonging to the umbrella groups of these two categories (e.g. genderqueer, agender) – who are 18+ and understand written English.

This will consist of a single session taking around 10 minutes to complete.

You may feel some degree of emotional or psychological distress due to questions involved in the study, which pertain to body image, emotional wellbeing, and your satisfaction with life. If you anticipate these tasks may cause upset or distress and/or you have a current or previous diagnosis of an eating- or body image-related disorder, we strongly advise not to take part.

Your participation in the study is entirely voluntary. If you do decide to take part, please complete the participant consent form to show that you understand your rights in relation to the research, and that you are happy to participate. You are within your rights to take a break in answering the survey or to stop participating in the survey at any time. You can do this by closing the window/browser. Your data will not be used if you exit the survey before completion. If you wish to withdraw from the study after fully completing the survey, please provide your unique identification code (created on the ‘participant consent form’ page) to the lead researcher. Any request to withdraw may be submitted up to 2 weeks from your participation in the study, after which the data will be analysed. You do not need to provide a reason for withdrawing. Withdrawing from the study will not affect you in any way.

• BEAT (UK’s eating disorder charity; for support relating to disordered eating and body image):

Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677

Studentline: 0808 801 0811

Youthline: 0808 801 0711

Helplines are available 365 days a year from 12 - 8 pm during the week, and 4 - 8pm on weekends and bank holidays.

• LGBT Foundation (National LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing charity):

Website: https://lgbt.foundation/

Helpline: 0345 330 3030

• Mind helpline:

Call: 0300 123 3393

Text: 86463

Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays).

• BCU Mental Health and Wellbeing Team:

Call: 0121 331 5188

Information for out of hours support can be found here:

The data gathered from your participation in this study would contribute to developing greater knowledge and awareness of nonbinary and transgender body image and how this influences wellbeing, and in turn, life satisfaction.

In line with the regulations outlined by the British Psychological Society, you can stop being a part of the research study at any time without explanation. You are still entitled to the same benefits as an individual who completes the study. If you no longer wish to complete the study, you may close the window/browser, and your participation will be suspended immediately, and your data will not be stored or used. You can also have your data withdrawn from the time you complete the survey until 2 weeks after completion, when your data will have been analysed and written up. Please see contact details below if you wish to withdraw – you should email the lead researcher with your unique identification code (created by you at the beginning of the study). 

During the study, you also have the right to omit or refuse to answer or respond to any question that is asked of you.

You have the right to anonymity and data protection. The study will not involve the collection of any personal information about you except for age, gender, ethnicity, disability status, and neurodivergence. 

Any personal information given will be unidentifiable to an external party. No identifiable information will be stored. Your data will be stored using your unique identification code, which you create at the beginning of the survey. 

All data will be stored in accordance with the University’s data protection policy. Data will be anonymised and may be shared between the lead researcher and their supervisors, but it will not be possible to identify your data at any point. The data may be used for publications and presentations; however, all data will be aggregated and anonymised, so it will not be possible to identify your data at any point. If you decide you would like to withdraw from the study, you will need to email the lead researcher within 2 weeks of your participation and provide the unique identification code created by you at the beginning of the survey.

Researcher: Nikhita Sheppard ([email protected])

Supervisors: Dr Nadia Maalin ([email protected]), Dr Keeley Abbott ([email protected]), Dr Anthony Gifford ([email protected]).

If you are unhappy at any point in the study, or if there is a problem, please contact the Health and Life Sciences Subject Group Ethics & Integrity Committee directly at [email protected].

If you have any questions, comments or concerns about how we use or handle your information, please contact the Data Protection Officer at: Data Protection Officer, Information Management, Legal Services, Joseph Priestley Building, Cardigan Street, Birmingham, B4 7BD. Email - [email protected]. Call - +44 (0)121 202 4597.