Coping in narratives of Finnish transgender adults

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate experiences that tell about coping and resilience in the lives of 19 Finnish transgender adults, aged 21–62 years (M = 35.20, SD = 12.10). The study was explorative in nature, using semistructured interviews. Results indicated, with data analyzed according to principles of grounded theory, the following three central sources of support: social relations, experiences of having a congruent gender and body identity and meaningful leisure time. On an overall level, the results indicated that transgender persons make use of a number of coping mechanisms, some general and some with elements specifically connected to transitioning to live in the desired gender. The results of this study are of importance for understanding how to support transgender persons both with their universal, and specific, needs.