Life Satisfaction and Gender Congruence in Transgender Individuals: A Role for Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Societal restrictions impact transgender individuals’ ability to engage in occupations that match their internal gender identity preventing gender affirmation. The aim was to explore transgender individuals’ perceived levels of gender congruence and life satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey with a nonprobability sample of transgender adults was used to provide a preliminary exploration of transgender individuals’ gender congruence and life satisfaction using the Gender Congruence and Life Satisfaction and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. When comparing the means of the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains to the population norm, the respondents demonstrated statistically lower scores in all four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. In both the WHOQOL-BREF and GCLS, the mean score in psychological health and life satisfaction were the lowest. Transgender individuals prioritize self-care activities, such as hairstyling, and body image to affirm internal gender identity. Occupational therapy can assist with supporting gender transition in several occupational contexts.

Plain Language Summary

Life satisfaction and gender congruence in transgender individuals: A role for occupational therapy.

Why was the study done? Transgender persons can experience discrimination because they do not adhere to societal gender norms. Consequently, they report high levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. They are often unable to engage in activities that match their internal identity perpetuating feelings of isolation and loneliness. The transgender community struggles with injustices that negatively affect their life satisfaction and gender congruence, which is the feeling that one’s body and life match their gender identity. What did the researchers do? The research team implemented two surveys to explore gender congruence, affirmation, and life satisfaction in transgender individuals. The surveys were used to better understand how participants feel regarding body image, psychological health, environmental safety, social health, physical health, and life satisfaction. What did the researchers find? A majority of participants reported poor psychological functioning, life satisfaction, and body image. Contributory factors included gender incongruence secondary to physical characteristics and gender perception based on physical appearance. Participants reported high levels of anxiety and depressed mood, which negatively impacted personal well-being. What do the findings mean? This study identified important areas that can be focused on to improve the overall psychological functioning, personal well-being, and life satisfaction of transgender individuals. Transgender individuals place significant importance on self-care activities, leisure and social activities, and body image through validation of gender authenticity. This information substantiates the use of occupational therapy services to facilitate gender congruence and affirmation through engagement in activities that match their internal gender identity. Occupational therapy intervention may assist with occupational transition thereby improving life satisfaction and personal well-being.