An Evaluation of Life Experiences of Individuals in the Gender Affirmation Process in Turkey

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the life experiences of individuals who are in the process of gender affirmation and have not undergone any surgical intervention for gender affirmation process.

Methods: The research was conducted in a phenomenological type using a qualitative research design, and a purposive sampling method was used in the selection of the sample. The sample consisted of 32 individuals with gender dysphoria who applied to the Endocrinology and Metabolism Outpatient Clinic of Istanbul University Cerra hpaşa -Cerr ahpaş a Faculty of Medicine between February 1, 2019, and July 1, 2019. Data were collected using a face-to-face in-depth interview method and the interviews were tape-recorded. Content analysis was used in the analysis of the collected data.

Results: The themes determined by this study include defining suffering discrimination in social life, discomfort in transgender males due to being identified as lesbians, the impairment of family relationships, hiding of gender identity, suicidal ideation or attempt, and the increase in self-confidence after hormonal therapy.

Conclusion: In the study, we observed that individuals with gender dysphoria were exposed to discrimination in society and their family relations were negatively affected. It was determined that they tried to cope with the situation they were in by hiding gender identity and when they could not cope, they had suicidal thoughts or attempts. With the appropriate treatment plan to be applied and holistic nursing care to be given, individuals can be adapted to this process.

Cite this article as: Taze SS, Turan Ş, Erden Melikoğlu S, Durcan E, Kadıoğlu P. An evaluation of life experiences of individuals in the gender affirmation process in Turkey. Arch Health Sci Res. 2022;9(3):193-197.