TY - JOUR

T1 - Identity-Related Factors Protect Well-Being Against Stigma for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People

AU - Doyle, David Matthew

AU - Begeny, Christopher T.

AU - Barreto, Manuela

AU - Morton, Thomas A.

N1 - Funding Information: The research was funded by the Department of Psychology at the University of Exeter. © 2021, The Author(s).

PY - 2021/10

Y1 - 2021/10

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Discrimination

KW - Identity affirmation

KW - Self-concept

KW - Transgender

KW - Well-being

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85108406078&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s10508-021-02029-1

DO - 10.1007/s10508-021-02029-1

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 34613539

AN - SCOPUS:85108406078

VL - 50

SP - 3191

EP - 3200

JO - Archives of Sexual Behavior

JF - Archives of Sexual Behavior

SN - 0004-0002

IS - 7

ER -