LIVED EXPERIENCES OF TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS REGARDING THE FAMILY'S REACTION TO GENDER DYSPHORIA: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY

Background & Aims: The family as a social institution of shaping identity for individuals can play an exacerbating or reducing role in symptoms of many physical and mental disorders. Understanding how transgender people experience the reaction of the family to Gender Dysphoria demonstrations can be beneficial for a better understanding of the problems of these clients, and that addressing these issues. This study aimed to explain the lived experiences of transgender people regarding the family’s reaction to Gender Dysphoria. Materials & Methods: Participants in this qualitative study with the phenomenological approach were ten transgender individuals (six biological males, four biological females). They were selected by the targeted and snowballing method according to the inclusion criteria from the field of forensic medicine in the south of Iran. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were used. Data were analyzed using the seven-step approach of Colaizzi. Lincoln and Gubachr('39')s criteria were used to assess the reliability and validity of data. Results: After analyzing the data, the two main themes of maladaptive reaction and adaptive reaction and six general categories of denial of reality, destiny test, punishment instead of treatment, disparaging until breaking the habit, accompanying with desperation, and coping with fate were classified. Conclusion: According to the results,the reaction of transgender individuals’ families to gender dysphoria includes a significantlydifferent patternof behavior. The reaction in the family of transgender people to the person with this disorder can be interpreted as an attempt to avoid the experience of shame in society.