“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

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Jones, BA ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8872-5847, Wakefield, JRH ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9155-9683, Szolin, K ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2494-3719, Carter, T and Bowe, M, 2024. “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. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. ISSN 2329-0382

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000757

Abstract

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 wellbeing within this population are not yet understood. The Social Identity Approach to Health, which highlights the important role of social group membership for people’s health and wellbeing, was used to address this gap within a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. Study 1 utilised an online survey (N=140) to demonstrate that family identification is associated with reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression and increased wellbeing, which was mediated by increased social support and reduced loneliness. Using semi-structured 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: 1. I Can’t Be Me When I Am Around You; 2. The Psychological Costs of Authenticity; 3. Increasing the Likelihood of Receiving Familial Support; 4. The Missing Part of the Jigsaw. Together, these studies provide a theoretical framework to understand why family support (from both bio-legal and non-bio-legal families) can be protective and/or harmful for young TGD people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
Creators:	Jones, B.A., Wakefield, J.R.H., Szolin, K., Carter, T. and Bowe, M.
Publisher:	American Psychological Association (APA)
Date:	12 August 2024
ISSN:	2329-0382
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1037/sgd0000757 DOI 2196153 Other
Rights:	©American Psychological Association, 2024. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. The final article is available, upon publication, at: https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000757
Divisions:	Schools > School of Social Sciences
Record created by:	Laura Ward
Date Added:	19 Aug 2024 09:34
Last Modified:	19 Aug 2024 09:34
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/52038