Self-Acceptance in Individuals with Gender Dysphoria
Abstract
Individuals with a gender identity that differs from their bodily gender and perceives themselves to be a different gender are diagnosed with gender dysphoria. In Indonesia, this topic is often regarded as a taboo subject, and as such, there is a lack of information about the experiences of people with gender dysphoria. This study examined the self-acceptance process of young adults with gender dysphoria regarding their gender identity and gender experience. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to understand a young adult’s dysphoric gender. Three people, aged 25 to 29, were recruited through purposive sampling. The data were acquired through in-depth and semi-structured interviews and analyzed iteratively using theoretical coding based on the phenomenological technique. The study found three main themes: self-acceptance, adaptability, and positive thoughts about themselves. The participants in the study cited the feelings of acceptance as their main reasons for coping with perceived discomfort associated with perceived gender, having positive judgments, and having realistic expectations.
Keywords: self-acceptance, gender dysphoria, perceived gender, judgment, expectations
References
[1] Capetillo-Ventura NC, Jalil-Pérez SI, Motilla-Negrete K. Gender dysphoria: an overview. Med Univ. 2015;17(66):53–8.
[2] Steensma TD, Kreukels BP, de Vries AL, Cohen-Kettenis PT. Gender identity development in adolescence. Horm Behav. 2013 Jul;64(2):288–97.
[3] Cohen-Kettenis PT, Klink D. Adolescents with gender dysphoria. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Jun;29(3):485–95.
[4] van de Grift TC, Cohen-Kettenis PT, Elaut E, De Cuypere G, Richter-Appelt H, Haraldsen IR, et al. A network analysis of body satisfaction of people with gender dysphoria. Body Image. 2016 Jun;17:184–90.
[5] Fisher AD, Ristori J, Castellini G, Sensi C, Cassioli E, Prunas A, et al. Psychological characteristics of Italian gender dysphoric adolescents: a case-control study. J Endocrinol Invest. 2017 Sep;40(9):953–65.
[6] McClure SM, Laibson DI, Loewenstein G, Cohen JD. Separate neural systems value immediate and delayed monetary rewards. Science. 2004 Oct;306(5695):503–7.
[7] Murray K, Rieger E, Byrne D. A longitudinal investigation of the mediating role of self-esteem and body importance in the relationship between stress and body dissatisfaction in adolescent females and males. Body Image. 2013 Sep;10(4):544–51.
[8] Jones DN. Psychopathy and machiavellianism predict differences in racially motivated attitudes and their affiliations: dark Triad and racism. J Appl Soc Psychol. 2013;43:E367–78.
[9] McGuire JK, Doty JL, Catalpa JM, Ola C. Body image in transgender young people: findings from a qualitative, community based study. Body Image. 2016 Sep;18:96– 107.
[10] Sugano E, Nemoto T, Operario D. The impact of exposure to transphobia on HIV risk behavior in a sample of transgendered women of color in San Francisco. AIDS Behav. 2006 Mar;10(2):217–25.
[11] Hegarty B. When I was transgender. Med Anthropol Theory. 2020;4(2): https://doi.org/10.17157/mat.4.2.399.
[12] Melendez RM, Bonem LA, Sember R. On bodies and research: transgender issues in health and HIV research articles. Sex Res Soc Policy. 2006;3(4):21–38.
[13] Davidson M. Seeking refuge under the umbrella: Inclusion, exclusion, and organizing within the category Transgender. Sex Res Soc Policy. 2007;4(4):60–80.
[14] Rodriguez-Madera S, Toro-Alfonso J. Gender as an Obstacle in HIV/AIDS Prevention: Considerations for the Development of HIV/AIDS Prevention Efforts for Male-to- Female Transgenders. Int J Transgenderism. 2005;8(2–3):113–22.
[15] Turban J. What is Gender Dysphoria? https://www.psychiatry.org/patientsfamilies/ gender-dysphoria/what-is-gender-dysphoria#:∼:text=Some%20people%20who%20are%
[16] Beek TF, Kreukels BP, Cohen-Kettenis PT, Steensma TD. Partial Treatment Requests and Underlying Motives of Applicants for Gender Affirming Interventions. J Sex Med. 2015 Nov;12(11):2201–5.
[17] International Labour Organization. PRIDE at work: A study on discrimination at work on the basis of sexual erientation and gender identity in Indonesia. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i6QBHACPrp7eiyAF70Qyx0BxFQg0uzNu/view
[18] Bandini E, Fisher AD, Castellini G, Lo Sauro C, Lelli L, Meriggiola MC, et al. Gender identity disorder and eating disorders: similarities and differences in terms of body uneasiness. J Sex Med. 2013 Apr;10(4):1012–23.
[19] Algars M, Santtila P, Sandnabba NK. Conflicted Gender Identity, Body Dissatisfaction, and Disordered Eating in Adult Men and Women. Sex Roles. 2010;63(1–2):118–25.
[20] Witcomb GL, Bouman WP, Brewin N, Richards C, Fernandez-Aranda F, Arcelus J. Body image dissatisfaction and eating-related psychopathology in trans individuals: a matched control study. Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2015 Jul;23(4):287–93.
[21] Herdiansyah H. Metodologi Penelitian Kualitatif Untuk Ilmu Psikologi. Jakarta: Salemba Humanika; 2015.
[22] Ellis SA, Wojnar DM, Pettinato M. Conception, pregnancy, and birth experiences of male and gender variant gestational parents: it’s how we could have a family. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2015;60(1):62–9.
[23] Rood BA, Reisner SL, Surace FI, Puckett JA, Maroney MR, Pantalone DW. Expecting Rejection: Understanding the Minority Stress Experiences of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals. Transgend Health. 2016 Aug;1(1):151–64.
[24] Drescher J, Pula J, Yarbrough EJ. Gender Dysphoria. Expert Q&A: Gender Dysphoria. 2023. https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/expertq- and-a
[25] Başar K, Oz G, Karakaya J. Perceived Discrimination, Social Support, and Quality of Life in Gender Dysphoria. J Sex Med. 2016 Jul;13(7):1133–41.
[26] Ozata YB, Yuksel S, Avayu M, Noyan H, Yildizhan E. Effects of Gender Reassignment on Quality of Life and Mental Health in People with Gender Dysphoria. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry. 2017. https://doi.org/10.5080/u18259.
[27] Hoel H, Einarsdottir A, Lewis D. The ups and down of LGBs’ workplace experience: Discrimination, bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay and bisexual employees in Britain. Manchester Business School; 2014.
[28] Wright T, Colgan F, Creegany C, McKearney A. Lesbian, gay and bisexual workers: Equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Equal Oppor Int. 2006;25(6):465– 70.
[29] Claahsen-van der Grinten H, Verhaak C, Steensma T, Middelberg T, Roeffen J, Klink D. Gender incongruence and gender dysphoria in childhood and adolescencecurrent insights in diagnostics, management, and follow-up. Eur J Pediatr. 2021 May;180(5):1349–57.
[30] Yetunde PA. Buddhist-Christian Interreligious Dialogue for Spiritual Care for Transgender Hospital Patients. In P. A. Yetunde, Buddhist-Christian Dialogue, U.S. Law, and Womanist Theology for Transgender Spiritual Care . Springer International Publishing; 2020. pp. 1– https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-42560-9_1.
[31] Merath K, Palmer Kelly E, Hyer JM, Mehta R, Agne JL, Deans K, et al. Patient Perceptions About the Role of Religion and Spirituality During Cancer Care. J Relig Health. 2020 Aug;59(4):1933–45.
[32] Svob C, Wong LY, Gameroff MJ, Wickramaratne PJ, Weissman MM, Kayser J. Understanding self-reported importance of religion/spirituality in a North American sample of individuals at risk for familial depression: A principal component analysis. PLoS One. 2019 Oct;14(10):e0224141.