Abstract
Relatively little is known about identity-related resilience factors associated with well-being among transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people. Drawing upon theory on stigma-related stress and resilience and work examining group identification as a buffer against discrimination, the aim of the current study was to model perceived discrimination, transgender identification, and gender identity affirmation as predictors of well-being for TGNC people. We also tested whether the positive association between gender identity affirmation and well-being might be explained by the benefits affirmation has for individual self-concept clarity. Participants were 105 TGNC individuals (42% transgender male, 39% transgender female, 19% other gender non-conforming [e.g., non-binary]) recruited through online forums and support groups in the UK and North America who completed an online survey including self-report measures of key constructs. Results from structural equation models demonstrated that: (1) experiences of discrimination were associated with lower well-being overall, but having a stronger transgender identity moderated this association; (2) after adjustment for discrimination and transgender identification, experiences of gender identity affirmation were independently associated with greater well-being for TGNC people. Secondary analyses demonstrated that gender identity affirmation was linked to well-being through reinforcing a strong, internalized sense of clarity about individual self-concept. Results are discussed in terms of the implications for TGNC health and well-being, particularly with regard to the need for supportive, identity-affirming social environments.
Highlights
Despite rapidly increasing numbers of people identifying as transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) across the UK, relatively little is known about identity-related resilience factors affecting well-being in these populations (Riggle et al, 2011; Testa et al, 2015)
We compared means on all constructs in the study between those who self-identified as transgender (n = 85) and those who self-identified as gender non-conforming (n = 20)
These results further indicated the conceptually distinct and unique role of gender identity affirmation in TGNC people’s well-being
Summary
Despite rapidly increasing numbers of people identifying as transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) across the UK (as well as other European and North American countries; Bouman et al, 2016; Zucker, 2017), relatively little is known about identity-related resilience factors affecting well-being in these populations (Riggle et al, 2011; Testa et al, 2015). Past research has documented considerable disparities between TGNC and cisgender people across various health and wellbeing outcomes (Feldman et al, 2016; Reisner et al, 2016a). Few studies have investigated potential resilience factors that might protect transgender individuals from the deleterious effects of stigma-related stressors (e.g., exposure to prejudice and discrimination). Along these lines, the focus of the current study was those factors that might adversely affect TGNC individuals’ well-being (e.g., perceived discrimination), and those factors that might help to bolster well-being. We focus on individuals’ sense of connection and identification with the TGNC community, as well as their experiences of gender identity affirmation (i.e., recognition and verification of one’s chosen gender identity)
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