Thesis (LL. M.)--University of Toronto, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 139-145).

published_or_final_version / Education / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Recently there has been an increase in academic scholarship focused on the lived experiences and health of transgender people; however, few studies have explored the romantic relationships of transgender individuals, particularly of transgender men. Among the general population, relationships have been shown to be central to both identity formation and as support in terms of health and wellbeing, and are therefore a potential factor of resilience of vital importance given the health disparities found among the transgender population. This dissertation is comprised of three articles investigating the dating and relationship experiences of transgender men from both individual and couple level perspectives, and employs Sexual Script Theory as a conceptual framework through which to analyze and interpret study findings. The first article provides a comprehensive review of the literature that has examined the relationships of transgender men and makes recommendations for future research to address gaps and limitations identified in these studies. The second article presents the findings from an investigation of N = 24 couples of transgender men and their cisgender female (n = 12) or male (n = 12) partners who completed in-depth qualitative, individual and dyadic interviews. The third article is a secondary analysis of data from a mixed-methods study on gender and HIV risk among N = 228 cisgender men who have sex with transgender men exploring their characteristics, attractions, identities, behaviors, relationships, sexuality, and health. Findings reported and discussed in these three articles include that transgender men and their partners, despite a number of identified barriers, form enduring and satisfying relationships. Prevailing cultural scripts of heteronormativity and homonormativity provide transgender men and their partners a blueprint for actualizing gender identity and for obtaining recognition and validation as a couple. However, these normative scripts are not always a perfect fit and include barriers to private and public affirmation of identity and fulfillment of sexual and intimacy needs. Transgender men and their partners simultaneously reinforce and challenge normative, relationship scripts, and in doing so, contribute to the evolution of social norms regarding gender and sexuality. Implications for the health and wellbeing of both transgender men and their partners are discussed.

Gender identity disorder is a disorder that challenges the predominant cultural understanding of gender and sex. A transgender person believes that s/he is of the opposite sex and gender than her/his natal sex. This study aimed to explore and describe transgender people’s experience of the development of their transgender identity, and the critical turning points that they experienced during the development of this transgender identity. Furthermore, the study explored the influence of religion and spirituality on the development of the transgender person’s identity and how their transgender identity in turn influenced their spirituality and spiritual identity. Feminist and queer theories were utilized in this study. A phenomenological approach was used to explore the lived experience of five transgender individuals. The findings suggest that these five transgender people find themselves between the sex categories of male and female and the gender categories of the feminine and the masculine. This finding challenges the Western dichotomous view of gender and sex. It further emerged that religion/spirituality does influence the development of a transgender identity as well as the process of gender reassignment. Key terms: Transgender, gender identity disorder, sex change, transsexual, G/god/dess, self-identity, phenomenology, queer identity, gender queer, queer theology, binary discourse, fluid gender, trans man, trans woman. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Bowling Green State University, 2009. / Document formatted into pages; contains x, 366 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Bowling Green State University, 2009. / Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 73 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis advisor: Susan Kelly-Weeder / Background: Stigma, discrimination, and victimization are common occurrences in the lives of TGGD persons (e.g. non-binary, genderqueer, agender, and other non-cisgender identities) in the U.S., including occurrences in healthcare settings. Additionally, TGGD people in the U.S. experience numerous disparities related to physical health, mental health, substance use, and health risk behaviors. Suicide prevalence data provide the strongest and most urgent indication that healthcare organizations, and mental health providers specifically, are not optimally meeting the needs of this marginalized, at-risk population. TGGD persons have experiences of stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings, and these experiences are directly associated with provider behaviors, staff cultural competence, and institutional policies/practices. Minority Stress Theory suggests that experiences of stigma are directly linked to health outcomes and health disparities. It also suggests disparities may be mitigated by one’s internal coping skills and by level of support available from affirming others. Purpose: This dissertation’s research sought to better understand the relationship between stigma/discrimination and sexual/gender minority (SGM) population health and to better understand the experiences of TGGD persons who receive mental health services in the United States. Therefore, this dissertation begins to address this critical need and fill the gap in science. Three discrete manuscripts are proposed to fully explicate three concepts: 1) How state-level policies may affect SGM mental health (a secondary data analysis); 2) A comprehensive understanding of TGGD persons’ mental healthcare experiences (an integrative review); and 3) TGGD persons’ inpatient mental healthcare experiences (a qualitative study). Methods: First, we conducted a secondary data analysis examining state-level inclusivity for SGM populations, and relationships with indicators of mental health and health risk behaviors in those states; we sought to determine whether and to what extent there is a relationship between states’ SGM policies and practices, and the mental health and health risk behaviors of those states’ SGM residents. Second, we conducted an integrative review examining the mental health treatment experiences of TGGD adults; we sought to synthesize and characterize the existing health literature regarding the mental health experiences of TGGD adults. Third, we conducted a qualitative descriptive study examining the inpatient mental health and substance disorder treatment experiences of TGGD adults; we sought to better understand the inpatient mental health and/or substance treatment experiences of TGGD persons and to identify and characterize facilitators of/barriers to gender-affirming care in inpatient mental health and/or substance treatment settings. Results: In Chapter Two of this dissertation, an ecological secondary analysis of the BRFSS data set showed statistically significant relationships between LGBTQ persons’ state of residence and self-reported mental health symptoms and risk behaviors of the LGBTQ persons who live there. Restrictive state policy environments were shown to function as a distal stress factor and inclusive state policy environments were shown to function as a resilience factor. In Chapter Three of this dissertation, integrative review results suggest that TGGD persons experience incidents of stigma and discrimination in mental health treatment settings. In Chapter Four of this dissertation, participants reported both stigmatizing aspects and welcoming/affirming aspects of inpatient mental health/substance treatment experiences. Conclusions: This dissertation explored the mental health of TGGD persons through a Minority Stress Theory conceptual framework, including potential distal stress factors, proximal stress factors, and resiliency factors. This program of research has made substantial and meaningful contributions towards an enhanced understanding of TGGD mental health experiences, sources of TGGD stigma, and sources of coping/resiliency. In each chapter, findings suggested the presence of MST concepts of distal stress factors, proximal stress factors, and resiliency factors. Nursing remains underrepresented in health literature, and dissertation results highlight ample opportunities to advance TGGD population health through nursing practice, nursing education, nursing scholarship, and nursing policy. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2021. / Submitted to: Boston College. Connell School of Nursing. / Discipline: Nursing.

Research examining college students' attitudes toward homosexuality has been consistently reported as generally negative (Herek, 1984a; Malaney, Williams, & Geller, 1997; & Mohr & Sedlacek, 2000). Furthermore, the attitudes of heterosexual college males have reflected higher levels of negativity when compared to their female counterparts (D'Augelli & Rose, 1991; Kite, 1984; & Smith & Gordon, 1998). The ensuing literature review examines research studies conducted at large, small, public, and private institutions. The purpose of this study is to investigate attitudes toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from the point of view of heterosexual males who attend private institutions. The literature in regards to private institutional campus setting is very limited. Data was collected through the dissemination of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Attitude Assessment at four private colleges. The administration of the instrument was conducted through a designated coordinator and through facilitators who agreed to participate. Descriptive data, including means, standard deviation and histograms, were collected. In addition, the research study used four methods of inferential statistics: (1) within-subjects ANOVA, (2) t-tests with a Bonferroni adjusted alpha, (3) within-subjects ANOVA with one between-subjects variable, and (4) the post-hoc Ryan Procedure. All statistical tests were performed using an alpha level of .05 unless otherwise stated. The GLBT Attitude Assessment included the GLBT Far Proximity Scale and GLBT Close Proximity Scale. While the GLBT Far Proximity Scale indicated no mean difference from males toward the subgroups, the statistical analysis conducted on the GLBT Close Proximity Scale did indicate a mean difference. In addition, males who held conservative beliefs in their political and religious orientations were significantly different than those who held liberal and moderate beliefs. Respondents' differences presented in this study were within the neutral range, however, they had negative and positive trends. For example, the respondents' attitudes were least positive toward transgender people. / Master of Arts

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 61-63).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-90).