Exploring factors contributing to care-seekers’ level of discomfort discussing a transgender identity in a health care setting

Abstract

Concealment or hiding a transgender (trans) identity from a medical professional can negatively affect the care one receives. Reluctancy to disclose may be further exasperated when interacting with an unfamiliar physician or health provider. Using the Virginia Transgender Health Initiative Study (THIS) data containing (n = 344) self-identified trans individuals, a two-step logistical regression was used to examine the relationship between demographic characteristics, experiences with discrimination, interpersonal supports, and levels of discomfort discussing a trans-identity and health needs with an unknown physician. Findings offer insight into the effects of stigma-based rejection sensitivity among trans individuals and point to the importance of establishing culturally sensitive health practices in the medical field. More broadly, I illuminate practical implications for trans care as well as highlight promising future research directions in this area.

Keywords:

• Identity disclosure
• minority stress
• rejection sensitivity
• stigma
• trans-health

Notes

1 Missing data was minimal for independent variables (range = 0.00–7.7%) and all cases were recoded to the zero category. Missing data analysis indicated a weak association between missing values and the outcome variable (Pearson’s R = 0.04), suggesting that values are missing at random.