title: The Impact of Social Connectedness and Internalized Transphobic Stigma on Self-Esteem Among Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Adults.
abstract: The transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) community continues to represent a notably marginalized population exposed to pervasive discrimination, microaggressions, and victimization. Congruent with the minority stress model, TGNC individuals persistently experience barriers to wellbeing in contemporary society; however, research uncovering resilience-based pathways to health among this population is sparse. This study aimed to explore the impact and interaction between internalized transphobic stigma and a potential buffer against minority stress-social connectedness-on the self-esteem of TGNC identified adults. Data were collected from 65 TGNC identified adults during a national transgender conference. Multiple regression analysis reveals that self-esteem is negatively impacted by internalized transphobia and positively impacted by social connectedness. Social connectedness did not significantly moderate the relationship between internalized transphobia and self-esteem. Micro and macro interventions aimed at increasing social connectedness and decreasing internalized transphobic stigma may be paramount for enhancing resiliency and wellbeing in the TGNC community.
authors.affiliation: a Barry University , School of Social Work , Miami Shores , Florida , USA.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Austin
authors.affiliation: a Barry University , School of Social Work , Miami Shores , Florida , USA.
authors.forename: Revital
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goodman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003674:Defense Mechanisms; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012929:Psychological Distance; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012649:Self Concept; D057545:Social Stigma; D063106:Transgender Persons / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Gender non-conforming; minority stress; resilience; self-esteem; stigma; transgender; transphobia