UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Factor, Rhonda J.
Title:
Dept./Program:
Psychology
Year:
2006
Degree:
PhD
Abstract:
A national sample of 295 transgender adults and their non-transgender siblings were surveyed about demographics, experiences of the body, traditional conceptualizations of femininity and masculinity, perceptions of social support, and violence, harassment and discrimination. Identity development, levels of disclosure of transgender status, and relationship to community were examined among 166 transwomen, transmen, and genderqueers. Transwomen, transmen, and genderqueer participants were recruited via eIectronic communications, conferences, and social, cultural, and political events. These participants then recruited a sibling for the study. Transwomen were older than the other four groups. Transwomen, transmen, and genderqueers were more highly educated than non-transgender sisters and non-transgender brothers.
However, despite having more education, transgender people did not have a corresponding higher income. Transwomen were least satisfied with aspects of their body whereas non-transgender brothers were most satisfied with these aspects of their body. There were no differences in satisfaction with bodlly functioning or in attentiveness to internal bodily sensations. Transwomen were more attentive to observable aspects of the body than were transmen, genderqueers, and non-transgender brothers. Transwomen did not differ from non-transgender sisters in femininity or masculinity based on self-report or sibling report. Transmen did not differ from non-transgender brothers in femininity or masculinity based on self-report or sibling report.
Sibling ratings characterized transmen and non-transgender brothers in a more sex-typed way than transmen's and non-transgender brothers' self ratings. Sibling ratings characterized transwomen and non-transgender sisters in a less sex-typed way than transwomen's and non-transgender sisters' self ratings. Transgender people were more likely to experience harassment and discrimination than non-transgender sisters and nontransgender brothers. There was no difference in perceptions of social support from friends. All transgender people perceived less social support from family than nontransgender sisters. There was no difference among transgender groups in age of first experiencing oneself differently from assigned birth sex.
Transgender women first presented themselves to others in a gender-congruent way at a later age than transgender men. Transgender women were less likely to disclose their gender identity to their parents than were transgender men. Disclosure of assigned birth sex was more common among younger participants. Genderqueers felt more connected to the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community than did transwomen or transmen. There was no difference in the extent to which individuals felt connected to the transgender community. Characteristics differentiating the current sample from previous research studies are discussed.
However, despite having more education, transgender people did not have a corresponding higher income. Transwomen were least satisfied with aspects of their body whereas non-transgender brothers were most satisfied with these aspects of their body. There were no differences in satisfaction with bodlly functioning or in attentiveness to internal bodily sensations. Transwomen were more attentive to observable aspects of the body than were transmen, genderqueers, and non-transgender brothers. Transwomen did not differ from non-transgender sisters in femininity or masculinity based on self-report or sibling report. Transmen did not differ from non-transgender brothers in femininity or masculinity based on self-report or sibling report.
Sibling ratings characterized transmen and non-transgender brothers in a more sex-typed way than transmen's and non-transgender brothers' self ratings. Sibling ratings characterized transwomen and non-transgender sisters in a less sex-typed way than transwomen's and non-transgender sisters' self ratings. Transgender people were more likely to experience harassment and discrimination than non-transgender sisters and nontransgender brothers. There was no difference in perceptions of social support from friends. All transgender people perceived less social support from family than nontransgender sisters. There was no difference among transgender groups in age of first experiencing oneself differently from assigned birth sex.
Transgender women first presented themselves to others in a gender-congruent way at a later age than transgender men. Transgender women were less likely to disclose their gender identity to their parents than were transgender men. Disclosure of assigned birth sex was more common among younger participants. Genderqueers felt more connected to the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community than did transwomen or transmen. There was no difference in the extent to which individuals felt connected to the transgender community. Characteristics differentiating the current sample from previous research studies are discussed.