Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Traditionally, gender has been viewed through an essentialist lens with fixed
biology-based traits or polarized gender norms between women and men. As awareness
of gender diversity grows, increasingly more people identify as nonbinary – or not
exclusively a man or woman. Despite a growing literature on the experiences of binary
transgender individuals, little has been explored regarding experiences unique to
nonbinary individuals. The research that does include nonbinary individuals focuses
primarily on adverse risks and outcomes. As such, a dearth of empirical research exists to
understand the unique experiences of nonbinary people and how they relate to wellbeing.
A qualitative participatory action study using PhotoVoice was conducted virtually to
address the identified gaps in the literature on nonbinary individuals concerning gendered
experiences and wellbeing. Prevailing theories of wellbeing informed the study along
with minority stress theory and the resilience literature to account for environmental
factors of oppression and individual and community resilience. A sample of 17 nonbinary
adults in the Midwestern United States was recruited using convenience sampling and
participated in online group discussions and individual interviews. The findings were
reported in sections corresponding with the three study aims: 1) Explore core dimensions
of wellbeing as defined by nonbinary individuals, 2) Identify promotive and corrosive
factors of that wellbeing, and 3) Provide recommendations to bolster nonbinary
wellbeing. The findings provided a thorough description of how nonbinary individuals
perceive their wellbeing concerning their gender and as part of a marginalized
population. Thematic analysis identified nine wellbeing themes for how participants
conceptualized their wellbeing (e.g., Exploring gender identity and expression, Being
connected to community, etc.), seven themes of promotive and corrosive factors of
wellbeing (e.g., Positive, accurate, and nuanced representation, Coping skills to manage
minority stressors, etc.), and three themes of recommendations (e.g., personal,
interpersonal, and professional) with eighteen strategies to bolster wellbeing among
nonbinary individuals and communities. The significance of the findings to social work
was discussed, including practice application and advocacy. This study contributes to
PhotoVoice methodology, wellbeing literature, and trans literature.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:IUPUI/oai:scholarworks.iupui.edu:1805/26477 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Kinney, M. Killian |
| Contributors | Victor, Bryan G., Fortenberry, J. Dennis, Thigpen, Jeffry W., Wahler, Elizabeth A. |
| Source Sets | Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
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