TY - JOUR
AU - Jones, Beth
AU - Wakefield, Juliet Ruth Helen
AU - Szolin, Kim
AU - Carter, Tim
AU - Bowe, Mhairi
PY - 2024
DA - August
TI - “My Queer Identity and My Family Identity Are Two Very Separate Things”: A Mixed-Methods Study Investigating the Psychological Implications of Family Identity and Support for Trans and Gender Diverse Youth During the COVID-19 Pandemic
JO - Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
DO - https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000757
AB - Gender-affirming support from one’s family is psychologically protective for trans and gender diverse (TGD) youth. However, the psychological processes through which family-based support is associated with mental health and well-being within this population are not yet nderstood. The Social Identity Approach to Health (SIAH), which highlights the important role of social group membership for people’s health and well-being, was used to address this gap within a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. Study 1 utilized an online survey (N = 140) to demonstrate that family identification is associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and increased well-being, which was mediated by increased social support and reduced loneliness. Using semistructured interviews (N = 27), Study 2 built on the findings from Study 1 by understanding the nature of young TGD people’s experiences of their family groups, family support, loneliness, and mental health. Four main themes were found: (a) I can’t be me when I am around you; (b) The psychological costs of authenticity; (c) Increasing the likelihood of receiving familial support; (d) The missing part of the jigsaw. Together, these studies provide a theoretical framework to understand why family support (from both bio-legal and nonbio-legal families) can be protective and/or harmful for young TGD people’s mental health and well-being.
PB - American Psychological Association
UR - https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/publications/ad173b37-8b52-42f1-b68f-4a8aaa25a9b6
KW - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
KW - Children, young people and families
ER