- Lawrence, Kansas
Megan (Meg) S Paceley
University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare, Faculty Member
- University of Kansas, Center for LGBTQ+ Research & Advocacy, Faculty Memberadd
- Dr. Paceley (they/them) is an associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and co-founder... moreDr. Paceley (they/them) is an associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and co-founder/co-leader of the Center for LGBTQ+ Research and Advocacy. Their research centers the expertise of queer and trans youth and aims to eliminate health disparities by addressing oppression and marginalization in queer and trans youth's communities, schools, and homes.edit
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In early 2021, over 50 bills were proposed to limit rights for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth across the United States. Anti-TGD policies and rhetoric are associated with poorer mental health for TGD youth. We used focus... more
In early 2021, over 50 bills were proposed to limit rights for transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth across the United States. Anti-TGD policies and rhetoric are associated with poorer mental health for TGD youth. We used focus groups with a TGD youth research board ( N = 6) to explore the impacts of the current policy climate. Following thematic analysis, we used quotes from participants in the form of a research poem to share the story of the findings. We share this poem as a call to action for scholars and advocates to resist these harmful and dangerous policies.
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As queer scholars engaged in research and practice with queer and trans youth across the United States and internationally, we are deeply concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this vulnerable population. Physical... more
As queer scholars engaged in research and practice with queer and trans youth across the United States and internationally, we are deeply concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this vulnerable population. Physical distancing, social isolation, and school closures create challenges for adolescents as they navigate increasing independence from caregivers and more intimate relationships with peers. The challenges related to the ongoing pandemic are exacerbated for queer and trans youth as they negotiate their sexuality and gender identit(ies) in addition to typical developmental activities. Simultaneously, social work practices that provide critical and lifesaving support for queer and trans youth have been hindered by the closures and other pandemic-related changes to schools and community programs. We present this reflexive essay to deconstruct the notion of a shared experience during this pandemic and elevate the voices of queer and trans youth during this unpreceden...
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LGBTQ+ youth experience health disparities compared with heterosexual and cisgender youth. Community-based, positive youth development organizations are an important resource to support and affirm LGBTQ+ youth. This study aimed to... more
LGBTQ+ youth experience health disparities compared with heterosexual and cisgender youth. Community-based, positive youth development organizations are an important resource to support and affirm LGBTQ+ youth. This study aimed to identify the opportunities and challenges in supporting LGBTQ+ youth within 4-H. The study took place in one state in the United States within a 4-H program and employed qualitative, community-based methods using SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analyses and focus groups of 4-H staff, support staff, volunteers, and youth participants. The majority of participants were White and middle class with direct connections to the 4-H program. Thematic analyses were conducted by multiple analysts until consensus was reached. Challenges and opportunities emerged in 3 themes: (a) organizational climate; (b) policies and procedures; and (c) training, education, and resources. Two additional themes included opportunities only: (a) community engagemen...
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As social work educators and students, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our teaching and learning in challenging ways. We embarked on a qualitative research study to better understand the ways in which the pandemic was affecting the social... more
As social work educators and students, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our teaching and learning in challenging ways. We embarked on a qualitative research study to better understand the ways in which the pandemic was affecting the social work students in our program. Three faculty mentors worked collaboratively with five social work students across BSW, MSW, and PhD programs to interview 66 BSW and MSW students about their experiences, challenges, and hopes during the early months of the pandemic. BSW and MSW students led the analysis and early dissemination for the project. This essay describes the unique experiences of social work students by using a research poem to capture the emotional and experiential aspects of the students we interviewed.
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ABSTRACT Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience risks due to their stigmatized SGM identities; however, supportive resources and people can mitigate these risks. In nonmetropolitan areas, SGM-affirming support may not be... more
ABSTRACT Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience risks due to their stigmatized SGM identities; however, supportive resources and people can mitigate these risks. In nonmetropolitan areas, SGM-affirming support may not be readily available. The internet and social media may be a way for SGM youth to access support and resources pertaining to their SGM identities, yet little research has been conducted in this area. This qualitative, exploratory study utilized in-depth interviews (N = 34) with nonmetropolitan SGM youth in one Midwestern state to better understand how they utilized the internet and social media related to their SGM identities. Grounded theory analysis revealed three categories of social media and internet usage among participants. Participants utilized the internet to establish a sense of community (access others, form relationships), express themselves (come out, vent), and access resources and information. These findings suggest important implications for practice and research.
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ABSTRACT Social work educators prepare students to respond to crises across system levels. A global pandemic or large-scale disasters, however, present challenges educators are ill prepared for. This study explored the experiences of BSW... more
ABSTRACT Social work educators prepare students to respond to crises across system levels. A global pandemic or large-scale disasters, however, present challenges educators are ill prepared for. This study explored the experiences of BSW and MSW students during the COVID-19 pandemic. With a trauma-informed pedagogy framework, a team of faculty and students conducted in-depth interviews with social work students at a Midwestern school of social work. Thematic analyses revealed two categories. First, broad lessons learned included clear guidelines for educators across higher education. Second, three themes revealed tensions in student reactions to their experiences during COVID-19: (a) loss versus safety, (b) flexibility versus structure, and (c) affective responses versus competing responsibilities. Findings are discussed and implications for social work are identified.
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Community climate toward sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth is associated with higher rates of victimization and poorer health and wellbeing-related outcomes such as depression and suicidal ideation. However, this field of research... more
Community climate toward sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth is associated with higher rates of victimization and poorer health and wellbeing-related outcomes such as depression and suicidal ideation. However, this field of research has underemphasized the experiences of transgender youth, particularly within the Midwestern context which is marked by vast rurality and characterized as sociopolitically conservative. Using qualitative and community-based methods, this study identified factors that impact community climate from the perspective of transgender youth (n = 19) in the Midwest and situated them within the Ecological Systems Theory (EST). Thematic analysis of interviews revealed four themes: resources, visibility, policies, and ideologies. Themes often crossed levels within the EST, indicating the complexity and interrelated nature of climate across local, regional, and national contexts. Implications for theory, research, and practice are discussed.
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In 2015, marriage equality in the United States was a big win for the gay and lesbian movement. Marriage equality as a primary focus of the movement, however, was not without its critiques, particularly as an issue affecting mostly white,... more
In 2015, marriage equality in the United States was a big win for the gay and lesbian movement. Marriage equality as a primary focus of the movement, however, was not without its critiques, particularly as an issue affecting mostly white, gay, economically secure individuals. Given the history of the movement, it is essential to ask what is next. Young queer and trans people represent the next generation of potential activists and advocates for queer and trans liberation, yet little empirical attention has been paid to their goals for the movement and motivations to be actively involved, particularly among young adults in rural, conservative states. Therefore, this study sought to understand the social, economic, and environmental issues deemed important by queer and trans young adults (aged 18–29), as well as their motivations to get involved in activism efforts. Data came from a mixed-methods program evaluation, which presents a picture of the issues and motivations that led study...
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Gender and sexual minority (GSM) youth are at risk of mental and physical health problems due to experiences of stigmatization and marginalization. GSM youth in nonmetropolitan communities may be at increased risk, yet have less access to... more
Gender and sexual minority (GSM) youth are at risk of mental and physical health problems due to experiences of stigmatization and marginalization. GSM youth in nonmetropolitan communities may be at increased risk, yet have less access to other GSM people and resources. Given GSM youth's risks, the lack of research in nonmetropolitan areas, and the need for interventions to meet the needs of GSM youth, this study aimed to establish an understanding of what nonmetropolitan GSM youth perceive as their needs for support within their small communities. Using grounded theory, qualitative interviews were conducted with 34 youth. Findings revealed 4 categories of needs: reduction in isolation, social acceptance and visibility, emotional support and safety, and GSM identity development.
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Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organizations are spaces in which LGBTQ individuals can access support and community, yet they have received little empirical attention, particularly outside urban areas.... more
Abstract Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) organizations are spaces in which LGBTQ individuals can access support and community, yet they have received little empirical attention, particularly outside urban areas. Given the benefits of LGBTQ community involvement, this study examined the barriers to involvement in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations. Three qualitative methods were employed: interviews, focus groups, and participant observation sessions. Thematic analyses identified eight barriers originating within the individual (managing one's LGBTQ identity, individual characteristics), organization (lack of diversity, group dynamics, lack of awareness of programs, workplace/school climate), and community (size, hostility). Implications for reducing barriers in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations are discussed.
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Background and Purpose: Research on LGBTQ individuals and communities suggests that community involvement is an important factor predicting positive health outcomes for LGBTQ populations (Hostetler, 2012). Additionally, being part of a... more
Background and Purpose: Research on LGBTQ individuals and communities suggests that community involvement is an important factor predicting positive health outcomes for LGBTQ populations (Hostetler, 2012). Additionally, being part of a religious community is associated with well-being (Strawbridge, Shema, Cohen, & Kaplan, 2001). For religious LGBTQ individuals, the intersection of religious and sexual/gender identities may contribute to increased stress. Many religious communities are intolerant of people who are LGBTQ (Ream & Savin-Williams, 2005) while people at LGBTQ organizations may be leery of people with religious identities due to past marginalization experiences. This study examined the tenuous position of individuals who identify as both religious and LGBTQ to understand how they negotiate these often conflicting identities while engaged in religious and LGBTQ organizations. Method: Researchers utilized multiple methods for this qualitative study. They conducted in-depth i...
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ABSTRACT In Gender, Bullying, and Harassment, Meyer (2009) draws attention to the critical role that gender plays in school-based harassment. She combines teacher interviews with existing literature to illustrate the need to integrate a... more
ABSTRACT In Gender, Bullying, and Harassment, Meyer (2009) draws attention to the critical role that gender plays in school-based harassment. She combines teacher interviews with existing literature to illustrate the need to integrate a discourse on gender into the research on and interventions into gendered harassment in schools.
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Little is known about involvement in LGBTQ organizations. Factors associated with involvement in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations were examined using logistic regression and survey data from 426 LGBTQ individuals residing in a... more
Little is known about involvement in LGBTQ organizations. Factors associated with involvement in nonmetropolitan LGBTQ organizations were examined using logistic regression and survey data from 426 LGBTQ individuals residing in a nonmetropolitan region. Involvement was examined in five types of organizations (professional, social/recreational, religious, political, and community center/charity). The same model testing proximity, generativity, minority stress, and social location hypotheses was repeated for each organization type. Results demonstrate that the generativity hypothesis is most strongly supported. Indeed, emotional attachment to the LGBTQ community significantly increased the odds of involvement in every type of organization. However, the factors associated with involvement otherwise differed by organization type. Implications for organizational leaders are discussed.Accepted Author Version. Not yet edited or proofed. Please see disclaimer on the article abstract page.
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In 2010, media coverage on the bullying of queer youth increased dramatically. This study examined online news media's portrayal of the gender, race, and age of bullying victims. Content analyses of ten sources were compared to research... more
In 2010, media coverage on the bullying of queer youth increased dramatically. This study examined online news media's portrayal of the gender, race, and age of bullying victims. Content analyses of ten sources were compared to research on the dynamics of sexuality-based bullying. Discrepancies were found for gender and race (with White males being disproportionally portrayed in the media). Lack of representation may lead people to believe that bullying against queer youth of color is of no significance. This has important consequences for victims and for those working to end bullying based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
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In Gender, Bullying, and Harassment, Meyer (2009) draws attention to the critical role that gender plays in school-based harassment. She combines teacher interviews with existing literature to illustrate the need to integrate a discourse... more
In Gender, Bullying, and Harassment, Meyer (2009) draws attention to the critical role that gender plays in school-based harassment. She combines teacher interviews with existing literature to illustrate the need to integrate a discourse on gender into the research on and interventions into gendered harassment in schools.
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An increasing number of Child Protective Services (CPS) systems are implementing Differential Response (DR) approaches in which lower-risk families are served through a family assessment response that emphasizes a family centered approach... more
An increasing number of Child Protective Services (CPS) systems are implementing Differential Response (DR) approaches in which lower-risk families are served through a family assessment response that emphasizes a family centered approach and the provision of concrete and preventative services. Quantitative survey data collected from parents suggests that those who receive family assessments are more engaged, receive more concrete services, and have higher overall satisfaction than those who receive a traditional investigation; yet little is known about which services provided through a family assessment are most helpful to parents. This qualitative study sought input from 20 parents who received a DR family assessment response in order to provide an in-depth analysis of which aspects of their CPS experience they perceived as most helpful. Results suggest that a positive and emotionally supportive relationship with the caseworker was of utmost significance. Other caseworker-provided services were described as helpful, particularly those that helped parents establish or improve relationships with others, including advocacy with other service providers, mediation of family disagreements, and coaching on parenting or relationship skills. Material support, such as providing cash assistance for rent or furniture, was helpful when received but occurred less frequently and was sometimes a source of frustration when accompanied by lengthy waits for assistance. These findings have implications for CPS practice, including enhancing caseworkers' relationship-building and engagement skills through pre-service educational coursework and in-service trainings; allowing caseworkers adequate time to develop supportive relationships with parents; and reducing the institutional barriers that delay the provision of concrete support.