A qualitative analysis of transgender women’s lived experiences of one-to-one psychosocial support in the context of presenting as female

Description

Literature Review : A systematic review was conducted to explore the psychological impact of surgical gender realignment procedures. The results appear suggestive of a better psychological adjustment for males-to-females regarding the functional outcomes of surgery, however more difficulty with integrating into society. Females-to-males report greater dissatisfaction with surgical outcomes but experience greater social integration, which in turn impacts positively on their psychological well-being. Contemporary studies appeared more inclusive of social and economic factors influencing successful gender transition. It is suggested that although there remains considerable psychological distress related to a range of factors, surgical intervention may help to alleviate psychological discomfort, though these results are taken as inferential rather than conclusive. A discussion of the clinical implications and future research discuss how research may further address the exploration of transgender psychological experience. Research Report : The present study provides a qualitative exploration of the experiences of transgender individuals who sought one to one psychosocial support through the process of changing their physical appearance to reflect their internal experience of gender. The findings illustrate how internalisation of distal societal attitudes often led to marked psychological distress. The women sought to illustrate their experiences of self and others beyond the borders of their physical appearance, and bring to light both the psychosocial experiences they have been expected to tolerate, and the impact this had on them. The power of being listened to was a valuable source of support for the women. Clinical implications and future recommendations are discussed in relation to further research opportunities and enhancing understanding in a relatively unexplored area of clinical practice. Critical Appraisal : A critical appraisal of the research process and learning outcomes of the researcher are described and discussed.