Abstract
People who identify as trans and gender non-binary experience many challenges in their lives and more interest is being paid to their overall health and wellbeing. However, little is known about their experiences and perceptions regarding their distinct psychosocial needs. The aim of this systematic review is to critically evaluate and synthesize the existing research evidence relating to the unique psychological and social experiences of trans people and identify aspects that may help or hinder access to appropriate psychosocial interventions and supports. The PRISMA procedure was utilized. A search of relevant databases from January 2010 to January 2021 was undertaken. Studies were identified that involved trans people, and addressed issues related to their psychosocial needs. The search yielded 954 papers in total. Following the application of rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria a total of 18 papers were considered suitable for the systematic review. Quality was assessed using the MMAT instrument. Following analysis, four themes were identified: (i) stigma, discrimination and marginalization (ii) trans affirmative experiences (iii) formal and informal supports, and (iv) healthcare access. The policy, education and practice development implications are highlighted and discussed. Future research opportunities have been identified that will add significantly to the body of evidence that may further the development of appropriate health interventions and supports to this population.
Highlights
The objectives of the systematic review were to: (i) identify the experiences and perceptions of trans and non-binary people regarding their psychosocial needs, (ii) establish the psychosocial interventions and supports that are available to people who identify as trans and non-binary?
Two papers within this review explored experiences of psychosocial interventions as a way to identify the specific therapeutic challenges that transgender people can encounter [28,35]
There is an opportunity to develop national and international collaborations that allows for larger samples and enables comparisons and identification of views, experiences, needs and service developments, thereby growing the research evidence-base of what works for trans and non-binary people. It has become increasingly apparent through this systematic review of the research evidence that trans and non-binary people have distinct psychosocial needs
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. People whose sex assigned at birth differs from their gender identity are known as transgender or gender diverse. Transwomen were assigned male at birth and transmen female. Non-binary people, including non-conforming or genderqueer, do not identify with a specific gender [1]. The authors use trans throughout this paper as an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is, dissimilar to or does not sit comfortably with, the sex assigned to them at birth [2]
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