Gender euphoria as a pathway to authentic trans embodiment: A thematic analysis of Reddit users’ experiences Em J.E. Mittertreiner, Emilie Lacroix International Journal of Transgender Health, 2026 Background Research on trans embodiment has historically centered on dysphoria and bodily distress, often neglecting the affirmative and joyful dimensions of trans experiences. Meanwhile, for over a decade, trans communities have been using the term gender euphoria to describe the positive feelings that emerge from gender-affirming psychosocial and embodied experiences. Recent research among trans feminine individuals has suggested that Piran’s (2020) construct of embodiment offers a promising alternative to understanding how individuals develop positive relationships with their bodies. However, embodiment remains underexplored among trans populations—particularly in relation to gender euphoria.Aim This study aimed to explore online discourse around gender euphoria, with the goal of generating a community-driven understanding of the unique factors that facilitate trans embodiment.Method 849 comments from 15 Reddit posts discussing gender euphoric experiences were examined using reflexive thematic analysis. An experiential lens guided our coding and theme development, which was informed by recursive engagement with both theory and researcher reflexivity.Results We identified five key themes: (1) non-linear and recursive journeys toward trans embodiment, (2) change as a prerequisite to acceptance of one’s embodied self, (3) “coming home” to authentic trans embodiment through gender euphoria, (4) the role of unconditional belonging in trans embodiment, and (5) hope and belief in the possibility of joyful embodiment. These themes suggest that gender euphoria facilitates processes of self-discovery, bodily affirmation, and resistance to cisnormative pressures.Discussion Our findings indicate that expanding current embodiment frameworks to encapsulate trans experiences requires the incorporation of constructs related to gender euphoria, such as authentic self-knowledge and unconditional belongingness. Emphasizing these experiences may shift clinical and theoretical understandings of trans embodiment from deficit-focused narratives toward models that affirm trans joy, agency, and resilience.
Distinct signatures of social and emotional cues in memory and eye movements. Veronica Dudarev, James T. Enns, Kate Rho, Chantelle Cocquyt, Em J. E. Mittertreiner, Christopher R. Madan, Connor M. Kerns, Daniela J. Palombo Emotion, 2026 Negative emotional stimuli are associated with increased recognition accuracy but decreased memory for the associative context, an effect coined as "tunnel memory" (Steinmetz & Kensinger, 2013). Recently, Stewardson et al. (2023) found that social cues enhance both recognition and associative memory and weaken the effects of negative emotion on memory, suggesting potentially distinct mechanisms underlying how adaptively relevant information is processed and retained when social cues are present. In this study (conducted in 2023-2024), we sought to replicate these findings and use eye tracking to explore attention as a mechanism underlying this divergence. As predicted, both negative images and social cues enhanced recognition memory, with differential effects on associative memory (diminishing for negative, enhancing for social). Negative pictures with few social cues were associated with a "tunneling" of both memory and attention, that is, better recognition but poorer associative memory alongside more frequent, longer fixations on the picture and reduced picture-object saccades. By contrast, social cues led to a partial tunneling of attention-that is, more frequent but shorter fixations and fewer linking saccades-and yet enhanced both picture recognition and associative memory. Perhaps most striking, negative emotion's effects on memory and attention were significantly attenuated when social cues were present. These findings suggest that differences in how negative versus neutral content is processed and retained depend on the social context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Towards equitable eating disorder treatment: addressing disparities in access to higher-level care across Canada Rhea Lewandoski, Lesley Moisey, Em J.E. Mittertreiner, Lauralyn Blackburn, Jennifer Couturier, Phillip Joy, Emilie Lacroix Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism, 2025 Clinicians and researchers invited to speak at the Canadian Nutrition Society's Thematic Conference 2023 emphasized disparities that exist within Canada's universal healthcare system for individuals with disordered eating or eating disorders (ED). To further characterize the severity and impact of these disparities on patients’ access to appropriate healthcare services, we conducted an online environmental scan of Canadian higher-level ED treatment programs. In this article, we describe the geographic availability, offerings, and transparency of patient-facing materials for 48 treatment programs; identify barriers to care and provide actionable recommendations for clinicians, program administrators, and stakeholders; and call for efforts to dismantle the identified disparities and increase accessibility to essential health services.
Research methods at the intersection of gender diversity and autism: A scoping review Em JE Mittertreiner, Elise Ng-Cordell, Alana J McVey, Connor M Kerns Autism, 2024 Research has increasingly focused on the intersection between gender diversity and autism. Understanding the foci, methods, and rigor of recent studies could help guide and maximize impact in this accelerating research area. We conducted a scoping review of peer-reviewed literature on this topic published between 2018 and 2023. The search generated 1432 records after deduplication. Included studies ( N = 84) were of English language, featured original qualitative or quantitative findings, and examined a psychosocial connection between autism and gender spectra variables. Autism prevalence among gender-diverse people was the most-studied sub-topic. Methodological rigor was acceptable overall; however, we identified recurrent threats to generalizability and validity, including inconsistent conceptualization of constructs (e.g. gender dysphoria), weak participant sampling and characterization, and reliance on unvalidated measures. Addressing these limitations and meaningfully engaging with community shareholders will be critical to enhancing the replicability and clinical impact of future research. Lay Abstract Research has increasingly focused on the intersection between gender diversity and autism. To better understand this literature, this scoping review systematically searched five databases for peer-reviewed literature on gender diversity and autism published between 2018 and 2023. Included studies ( N = 84) were of English language, featured original qualitative or quantitative findings, and examined a psychosocial connection between autism and gender spectra variables. Most studies focused on measuring prevalence of autism among gender-diverse individuals. While the overall study rigor was acceptable, weaknesses in measurement, sample selection, and definition of key terms were noted. Promisingly, studies in this area appear to be shifting away from a pathologizing lens and towards research methods that engage in meaningful collaboration with the autistic, gender-diverse community to investigate how to best enhance the quality of life and wellbeing of this population.
Overcoming barriers in eating disorder care: advances, gaps, and recommendations for equitable assessment and treatment Em J.E. Mittertreiner, Jennifer Couturier, Melissa Simone, Charlynn Small, Glenda Courtney-Martin, Lesley Moisey, Shirin Panahi, Emilie Lacroix Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism, 2024 This paper provides an overview of topics discussed by clinicians and researchers invited to speak at the Canadian Nutrition Society's Thematic Conference 2023, which was centered on advances in research and practice in the assessment and treatment of disordered eating and eating disorders. Presenters emphasized the importance of understanding how systemic factors such as racism, weight stigma, and COVID-19 affect the assessment and treatment of eating disorders, and proposed strategies for addressing these inequities. In this paper, we provide actionable recommendations for clinicians working with individuals with eating disorders; professional development, cultural competence, and equitable assessment and treatment practices are discussed.
Nutritional considerations for gender-diverse people: a qualitative mini review Em Jun Eng Mittertreiner, Abbey Hunter, Emilie Lacroix Frontiers in Nutrition, 2024 Dietitians working with gender-diverse people may require different skills and knowledge than those caring for cisgender men and women, as indicated by a growing body of literature that highlights gender-diverse people's unique experiences with and relationships to nutrition and eating behaviors. To provide insight into how dietitians can best serve this population, this mini review identifies and summarizes qualitative studies that investigate gender-diverse people's lived experiences and perspectives regarding nutrition, eating disorders, and access to eating-related healthcare services. Fourteen studies examining nutrition or eating behaviors among gender-diverse samples were selected through a systematic search and screening process: 11 focused on disordered eating or eating disorders and the remaining three focused on nutritional needs, nutritional knowledge, and food insecurity. Extracted themes included: using dietary restriction to suppress secondary sex characteristics or conform to societal norms; the impact of gender-affirming care on disordered eating; negative experiences with, and beliefs about, nutrition and eating disorders healthcare services; and suggestions for clinicians. Recommendations discuss the need for increased trans literacy among clinicians, the creation of safe spaces for gender-diverse people with eating disorders, and the importance of dual competencies in eating disorders treatment and gender-affirming care.
Co-developing tools to support student mental health and substance use: Minder app development from conceptualization to realization Melissa Vereschagin, Angel Y. Wang, Calista Leung, Chris G. Richardson, Kristen L. Hudec, Quynh Doan, Punit Virk, Priyanka Halli, Katharine D. Wojcik, Lonna Munro, Brandon S. Chai, Tiana Mori, Matthew Sha, Em Mittertreiner, Amar Farkouh, Duke Sigamany, Daniel V. Vigo Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, 2023 University students experience a high prevalence of mental health and substance use concerns; however, few students access support for these challenges. Although digital mental health interventions have been promoted as a means of addressing this need, engagement with these tools is often poor. A lack of user-centric design is frequently cited as a reason for low engagement. The goal of this study is to describe the co-development processes and associated feedback used to develop the Minder app, a tool designed to support a non-clinical population of university students to maintain mental wellbeing and manage substance use. This process can be organized into three main phases: conceptualization and initial app design, iterative user testing, and final app design. As a result of meaningful engagement with end-users throughout the design and testing process, key changes were made to the design (e.g., graphical interface), content (e.g., language used, addition of components related to general wellbeing), and support (e.g., peer coaching) provided within the app. In addition to describing these changes, we also discuss considerations related to the broader implementation and scale-up of the Minder app within existing university systems.
