Psychosocial Needs of Caregivers of Military Veterans Who Identify As Transgender: a Qualitative Study

The Problem: There are over an estimated 18 million veterans in the United States who have served in the Armed Forces (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020). The National Center for Transgender Equality (2022) suggests that there are an estimated 134,000 veterans who identify as transgender, with approximately 15,000 transgender individuals currently serving in the military as of 2014. Individuals who have served in the military sometimes are left with injuries, disabilities, or issues that require a caregiver to provide supervision or assistance (Malec et al., 2017). Informal caregivers, or caregivers who have not received professional training, can experience misunderstandings when it comes to complicated medical care, which is an unmet psychosocial need (Lütscher et al., 2022). However, there is a gap in research on caregivers of military veterans who identify as transgender.The Purpose and Research Question: The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the psychosocial needs of caregivers of military veterans who identify as transgender. The primary research question is: What are the psychosocial needs of the population of caregivers of military veterans who identify as transgender based on their intimate partnerships and experiences? This dissertation utilizes a pragmatic qualitative multiple case study methodology. Major Theories: A pragmatic philosophical approach was the approach utilized in this research. This approach is used in this research as it was found to be the most appropriate method to gain insight into the intimate experience of a caregiver of a military veteran who identifies as transgender. The theoretical foundations used for this study are intersectionality theory and the caregiver identity framework and theory. Intersectionality theory suggests a way of understanding connections, identities, relationships, and dependencies between social structure and categories (Atewologun, 2018). Caregiver identity theory, developed from identity theory and the caregiver marker framework, seeks to identify, understand, and clarify boundaries for those who serve in caregiving roles (Montgomery, 2007; Montgomery & Kosloski, 2009).

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Alabama Libraries

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Laha-Walsh, Kirsten Colleen

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Albright, David L

Contributors dc:contributor

• Johnson, Karen
• McKinney, Robert
• Parrott, Scott
• Dietert, Michelle

• caregiver identity
• caregivers
• intersectionality
• military veteran
• psychosocial needs
• transgender

Statement dc:rights

• All rights reserved by the author unless otherwise indicated.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US, English

Dc Identifier Other

1046358

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ir.ua.edu:123456789/13770