An Ecological Systems Approach to Understanding Risk and Promoting Resilience Among Trans and Gender-Diverse Youth

The present research investigated the experiences of risk and resilience for trans and gender-diverse youth. Ecological systems theory emphasizes how one is impacted by both proximal (e.g., peer interactions) and more distal (e.g., societal attitudes) environmental factors. Factors impacting trans and gender-diverse youth’s risk and resilience were explored at multiple levels of influence to achieve a comprehensive understanding of how to improve these youth’s well-being. Study 1 examined the relationship between broad, environmental marginalization levels and access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth. Study 1 compared marginalization levels in the areas surrounding trans youth (N = 298) who accessed gender-affirming healthcare services in Toronto, Canada, relative to marginalization levels in background populations. Compared with background populations, there was some evidence that areas where trans youth patients came from were biased toward less marginalization (e.g., less ethnic diversity). Study 2 was a qualitative study focused on asking Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) trans youth (N = 12) about their experiences of risk and resilience. Despite facing multiple forms of marginalization, BIPOC trans youth have received limited research attention. Through qualitative coding, I identified four superordinate themes: accessing community connection and fostering belonging; navigating the healthcare system; personal journey with and relationship to gender identity; and others’ reactions to gender identity. Participants commented on day-to-day social interactions, interactions with societal institutions, and prevailing societal attitudes. Study 3 explored the possibility of changing societal attitudes in order to improve the experiences of trans and gender-diverse youth. Specifically, I investigated whether an empathy-based intervention could improve children’s (N = 186) attitudes towards gender-diverse peers and reduce gender stereotyping. Although the intervention was not effective, girl participants who displayed higher levels of trait empathy also displayed more positive ratings of target children. Also, among all children, gender stereotyping was related to more positive appraisals of gender-conforming (relative to gender-diverse) targets, suggesting that reducing stereotyping is an important strategy for improving children’s gender-related attitudes. Overall, the present research highlights a variety of factors at multiple levels of the environment that could be targeted to improve the well-being of trans and gender-diverse youth.

Department dc:contributor.department

Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• MacMullin, Laura Nicole

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• VanderLaan, Doug P.

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1807/128184

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:utoronto.scholaris.ca:1807/128184