An eco-developmental framework on the intersectionality of gender and sexual identities in transgender individuals

ABSTRACT

For many transgender individuals, researchers, and practitioners, an eco-development framework provides unique insights on the social influences that dynamically interact, influence, conflict, and support each other during the individual’s identity development and through their unique transition process. Fourteen transgender individuals were interviewed on how their transition process affects their gender and sexual identity. Guided by content analyses, this study focused on micro, meso, and macro level categories within the eco-developmental model framework that emerged from the data including 1) the micro level influences of embodiment, 2) meso level conflicts between embodiment and romantic partner expectations, and 3) macro level influences of societal gender expectations. This research is unique in exploring transition processes from an eco-developmental model, examining not only the micro level, meso level, and macro level conflicts within the system, but also considering the dynamic interplay of the three levels. The eco-developmental perspective depicts the intersectional effects of transitioning, gender, and sexual identity and allows for a dynamic model of gender and sexual identity development. This model will allow researchers to move past an understanding of transgender identity development as a uniform process that all individuals navigate through and move into an understanding that each individual’s identity development is unique but shares overarching themes of interactions that shape identities.

KEYWORDS:

• Transgender men
• gender identity
• sexual identity
• intersectionality
• eco-developmental framework

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Louis M. Lindley

Louis M. Lindley is currently a graduate student at Towson University studying clinical psychology and conducting research under the leadership of Dr. M. Paz Galupo.  His research interests broadly include gender identity, sexuality, and substance use.  Current projects include the relationships between minority stress and substance use within transgender populations, as well as transgender sexuality and sexual experiences.

Julie L. Nagoshi

Julie L. Nagoshi is interested in prejudice and discrimination against LGBTQ communities and exploring the negotiation of intersectional identities in LGBTQ individuals.  Such intersectional identities have often been viewed as multiple risk factors (“double jeopardy„), but she has come to see the potential of intersectional identities for empowerment and improved social/psychological functioning.  Currently her research focuses on bridging the gap between HIV/AIDS outreach services at the university and community level.

Craig T. Nagoshi

Craig T. Nagoshi is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington.  His current research interests focus on the bases of gender identity, gender-based prejudices, and the moderating effects of gender on psychological and social functioning, including psychological maladjustment, substance use and abuse, and relationship violence.

Robert Hess

Robert Hess III completed his Bachelor's degree in Social Work at Arizona State University, his Masters in Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, and Masters in Executive Education at the Harvard Business School.  Robert's work has focused on defining domestic health system strategy and policy, implementing health system transformation, and optimizing process efficiency through quality management and performance improvement strategies.  He is an advocate for vulnerable populations, including homeless youth and young adults, children in foster care, individuals with serious mental illness, LGBTQ individuals, and refugees.

Aedan Boscia

Aedan Boscia completed his Bachelor's degree in Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies at Arizona State University.  He has extensive experience as a volunteer in several community social service/advocacy organizations and is currently a Client Development Manager at A. C. Fortune.