The development of self- and other-acceptance in trans young people: A mixed-methods exploration

Helen Morgan

Transgender and gender diverse (hereafter trans) youth are amongst the highest risk of all Australian populations regarding mental health difficulties (AIHW, 2018). Specifically, three quarters of Australian trans youth report a depression or anxiety diagnosis, nearly 80% report self-harming and almost half have attempted suicide (Strauss et al., 2020). Despite this population’s vulnerability, there is a paucity of research and appropriate mental health support is scarce. Most trans youth encounter barriers to accessing care and, crucially, two thirds of Australian trans youth experience ambivalent or rejecting attitudes from their caregivers resulting in poor mental and physical health outcomes across the lifespan (Strauss et al., 2020). Moreover, services for parents to aid their understanding and support of their trans child are scant. Theoretically, self- and other-acceptance are positioned as integral to facilitating sound mental health and wellbeing outcomes for trans individuals ( Johns et al., 2018). A fundamental and formative part of realising self-acceptance for trans individuals is development of one’s gender through support and information-seeking, usually before individuals disclose their gender to any of their support networks (Pohjanen & Kortelainen, 2015). Acceptance by the ‘other’ of trans individuals can take many forms, such as acceptance by peers and partners (Johns et al., 2018). Parental acceptance, however, has been posited as the strongest protective factor against negative health outcomes for trans youth (Bariola et al., 2015). Consequently, this thesis is underpinned by two principal research areas: an exploration of how trans youth use online resources to support their mental health, and consolidate their gender, and a focus on the role of parental acceptance in supporting trans youth. Studies One and Two qualitatively explored the role of initial online information-seeking and the use of avatars in gaming by trans youth. Both studies indicate use of online resources are vital in aiding exploration, development and consolidation of gender in a safe space before disclosing to their support networks. Recommendations are made to improve accessibility and suitability of such resources. Study Three investigated factors influencing parental acceptance of trans youth. Salient factors such as the nature of their child’s gender, and levels of awareness of the child’s gender at time of initial parental awareness were identified. Multiple factors aided acceptance, including information and peer support. We provide recommendations on what may help parents to optimally support their child. Study Four specifically sought to identify the positive aspects of parenting a trans child. Aspects such as personal growth hold salient clinical implications for those working with the parents of trans youth and underscore the importance of an affirmative approach. Study Five explored the parental challenges, facilitators and needs associated with supporting their trans child’s gender. Strong themes emerged around parents’ desires to aid their journey towards increased acceptance, with clear recommendations for development of resources such as good-quality information and engaging with others’ stories, indicating important implications for the development of interventions to promote parental acceptance. Taking findings from studies Three and Four, Study Six comprised the development and trialing of a novel group support program for parents of trans youth. Findings indicate that a program combining evidence-based approaches, foundational information and peer support is experienced positively by parents and holds therapeutic promise. The collective findings of these studies fill crucial gaps in the extant research regarding self- and other- acceptance of trans youth with pragmatic implications for clinical translation to better support the mental health and wellbeing of trans youth.

The development of self- and other-acceptance in trans young people: A mixed-methods exploration

Files and links (1)

Abstract

Details

Metrics