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.
跨性别者的生活满意度和性别一致性:职业治疗的作用。为什么要进行这项研究?变性人可能会受到歧视,因为他们不遵守社会性别规范。因此,他们报告高度焦虑,抑郁症,和自杀。他们往往无法从事与其内部身份相匹配的活动,从而使孤立和孤独感永存。跨性别社区与不公正作斗争,这些不公正对他们的生活满意度和性别一致性产生负面影响,这是一种感觉,一个人的身体和生活与他们的性别认同相匹配。研究人员做了什么?研究小组实施了两项调查,以探索性别一致性,肯定,和跨性别者的生活满意度。这些调查被用来更好地了解参与者对身体形象的感受,心理健康,环境安全,社会健康,身体健康,和生活满意度。研究人员发现了什么?大多数参与者报告说心理功能较差,生活满意度,和身体形象。促成因素包括继发于身体特征的性别不一致和基于外貌的性别感知。参与者报告高度焦虑和抑郁情绪,这对个人福祉产生了负面影响。这些发现意味着什么?这项研究确定了可以专注于改善整体心理功能的重要领域,个人福祉,和跨性别者的生活满意度。跨性别者非常重视自我保健活动,休闲和社交活动,和身体形象通过性别真实性的验证。这些信息证实了使用职业治疗服务通过参与与其内部性别认同相匹配的活动来促进性别和谐和肯定。职业治疗干预可能有助于职业过渡,从而改善生活满意度和个人幸福感。