“I’m proud to be myself”: A qualitative investigation of identity-related emotions among transgender youth

Transgender and gender-diverse youth (TGDY) experience elevated rates of discrimination and victimization. Recent empirical and theoretical work with sexual minority adolescents (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual or pansexual) propose negative emotions result from these adverse experiences and are managed through deleterious health behaviors and that experiences of resilience contribute to positive emotions managed through promotive health behaviors. However, the role of identity-related emotions of TGDY has yet to be explored in a health framework. The current study utilizes past empirical and theoretical research to examine the construction of identity-related emotions for TGDY in the Midwest using a deductive-inductive thematic analysis with a priori and data-driven codes. Nineteen youth between the ages of 15–22 (M = 18, SD = 2.29) from two Midwestern states participated in the study. Study procedures and preliminary analysis were overseen by a TGDY advisory board. Seven discrete emotions emerged from the thematic analysis. Consistent with prior research, emotions emerged from a confluence of TGD identity experiences, perceptions of self, and the social environment. Emotions were managed through behaviors that have implications for health. Future prospective studies should test findings among a large, demographically diverse population of TGDY. Furthermore, practitioners should find ways to reduce the occurrence and impact of negative identity-related emotions while supporting the construction of positive ones.