A Multiple Case Study Examination of Resiliency Factors for Mexican and Mexican-American Transsexual Women

ABSTRACT

This multiple case study examined resiliency factors in the lives of 3 transsexual woman of Mexican ethnic origin who worked as entertainers throughout Texas. Data were collected through personal interviews with each participant, direct and indirect observations of their performances as entertainers, and exploring the artifacts that represented resiliency for their lives. Results indicated unique stories of resilience that clustered around themes of recognizing accountability, self-acceptance, family cohesiveness, spirituality, improvisational talent, and integrating womanhood with a transsexual identity. These findings are particularly useful for conceptualizing strengths-based approaches in social and mental health practice for the transgender community.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgender
• transsexual
• resiliency
• Mexican
• strengths-based counseling

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This study was supported by a grant from the Faculty Research Initiative that was provided by Walden University.