Coping and resilience in transgender individuals who have experienced transphobic hostility: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

Introduction: Trans individuals report experiencing pervasive discrimination, microaggressions, harassment and stigma across their lifespan. Transphobia has been identified as a key contributor to elevated rates of mental health problems and suicidal ideation among trans individuals. The aim of the current study is to gain a deeper understanding of transgender individuals’ experiences of transphobic discrimination and hate crime, and how they describe their coping following these experiences, in their own words. This research aims to explore how resilience manifests in trans people with regards to stigma and discrimination. Method: The researcher interviewed seven trans individuals. Semi-structured interviews were utilized to explore participants’ subjective experiences of transphobic discrimination and how they described their coping following these experiences. Interviews were transcribed verbatim. Findings: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was employed and revealed a number of superordinate, subordinate, and minor themes in the interview data. The superordinate themes included ‘Aftermath of Experiences’, ‘Coping’, and ‘Moving Forward’. Discussion: The research project succeeded in addressing a number of gaps in the transgender discrimination literature; providing greater insight into trans peoples’ experiences of discrimination and/or hate crime and how it impacts on their coping and resilience. The results of the study are discussed in relation to the literature, and a number of implications are discussed in the context of clinical practice, education, policy, and future research. Limitations and strengths of the study are also discussed, as well as a critical reflection on the research process