Mental health and social support experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming adults in rural America: A meta-synthesis

Abstract

Introduction

Researchers have begun to explore the mental health and social support experiences of rural transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) Americans.

Method

This systematic review included 16 qualitative studies.

Results

The studies are current and of moderate to high quality. Themes included: (a) exploring identity, (b) coping with bullying and isolation, (c) passing, (d) building relationships, and (e) developing resilience in the face of barriers.

Conclusion

While some rural TGNC adults wrestle with negative coping mechanisms, many have found ways to thrive. Further research is needed to develop more targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

Keywords:

• Social support
• gender nonconforming
• rural
• transgender
• gender identity

Ethics statement

Ethics approval was not required for this non-interventional study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding details

There was no funding for this project.

Data availability statement

There is no data for this systematic review beyond that included in the manuscript and in the original studies on which it is based.