All flowers bloom differently: an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiences of adult transgender women

ABSTRACT

Many studies focus on trans identity development in young individuals and on the stressors they face, but leave out the particularities of transitioning as an adult, particularly as a transwoman. This study remedies this gap by conducting qualitative interviews on a sample of six transwomen, in the UK, analysed using IPA. While young individuals typically experience a period of dissonance, followed by exploration and finally transition, adults may undergo a different sequence of self-discovery. The current research found that older transwomen generally grew up feeling different, but that their lack of exposure to other trans individuals and the anticipation of negative reactions delayed their transition and led them to engage in over compensatory behaviour. The participants began exploring their identity with the spread of the internet, by seeking new relationships that could bolster their need for coherence, while temporarily neglecting individuals that may have be non-verifying. The respondents thereafter came out to the majority of their ecosystem, forcing them to redefine their relationships and place in society. Physically transitioning improved most of the participants’ mental wellbeing, through a newfound sense of authenticity and coherence, although this was generally mitigated by the consistency of support offered by family and friends.

KEYWORDS:

• Identity
• gender
• trans issues
• belonging
• coherence
• stigma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elodie Eisenberg

Elodie Eisenberg is a counselling psychology trainee at City University who completed her undergraduate studies at Warwick University before undertaking an MSc in Psychology at BPP University and is a graduate member of the British Psychological Society. In 2015, she became a consultant for an international NGO supporting victims of sexual and gender-based violence. From 2017 to 2018 she was employed by the NHS, in their forensic services, working closely with patients around gender issues and self-harm. Her research interests are i) psychology of sexual identity and gender roles ii) eating disorders and gender iii) pathophysiology of eating disorders

Karyofyllis Zervoulis

Dr Karyofyllis (Lakis) Zervoulis is a Social Psychologist with a PhD from University of Surrey, and he is a Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society. He is currently a senior lecturer in social psychology at London Metropolitan University. He has been, until recently, a psychology lecturer at BPP University since the development of the Psychology Department in 2012; in 2016, he became the Programme Leader of the BPP BSc (Hons) Psychology and the MSc Psychology [Conversion] programmes. He lectures mainly in Social Psychology as well as in Research Methods, Statistics and Data Analysis modules in Psychology. His main research interests are on i) social identity and politicisation as applied in the context of stigmatised and minority groups, ii) sexuality and gender roles, iii) internet psychology, and iv) cross-cultural psychology. Lakis previously held research positions at a number of UK Universities including Imperial College, Cambridge University, and University College London.