Stress and Resilience in Gender Nonbinary Individuals

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to further understand the meanings associated with and the lived experiences of gender nonbinary individuals related to stress and resilience. Although nonbinary individuals make up as much as one third of the transgender population in the United States (James et al., 2016) and are at risk for higher levels of psychological distress and suicide compared to the general population (James et al., 2016), very little research has been done with nonbinary groups (Matsuno & Budge, 2017). The researcher utilized a descriptive phenomenological research design to explore the experiences of 8 individuals who identify as gender nonbinary (GNB) or gender nonconforming (GNC). In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted and analyzed using Colaizzi's (1978) framework. Individuals within this study have complex identities that are realized and expressed in a variety of ways, experience considerable adversity and stigma, cope by relying on social supports, and generally have a sense of freedom and eventual confidence in their gender identity. Therapy experiences within this sample are also explored. In order to decrease discrimination and provide affirmative care to nonbinary individuals, more research must be done with nonbinary identities as a focus (Grzanka & Miles, 2016). Clinical mental health implications are further explored.