A Qualitative Content Analysis of Concordance and Discordance Regarding Identity, Affect, and Coping in Families with Transgender and Nonbinary Youth

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine concordance and discordance in how different family members in families with transgender or nonbinary (TNB) youth described topics related to the TNB youth’s gender identity and its effects on the family. TNB youth, ages 7–18 years, and their caregivers (54 family members: 20 TNB youth, 34 caregivers) participated in one-on-one qualitative interviews. Interview transcripts were analyzed to determine concordance/discordance in family members’ responses (between TNB youth and each caregiver, between caregivers in two-caregiver families, and among all three family members) to 13 different interview questions. Results indicated the highest concordance was found between family members regarding how the youth’s gender identity affected family relationships. The highest discordance was found in family member’s descriptions of the TNB youth’s gender expression and future expectations for the TNB youth. Findings from this study have implications for supporting families with TNB youth.

Keywords:

• Nonbinary
• family functioning
• family system
• transgender
• youth