Mental health practitioners’ narratives about gender transition and the role of diagnosis: A qualitative study in the Italian context

Neri, Jéssica; Iudici, Antonio; Faccio, Elena

doi:10.1111/hsc.13711

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…We believe that narratives may also have great potential in the process of 'normaliz- Finally, the concept of positioning valorizes the relevant and fluid character of identity, permitting participants to let emerge new perspectives for agency and performance of the identity movements. 55…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke

Faccio,

Fonte,

Smania

et al. 2023

Health Expectations

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IntroductionPeople with poststroke acquired brain injury (ABI) face a complex and often troubled identity reconstruction journey. The literature is rich with studies related to the psychological and neuropsychological components involved in rehabilitation, but it is lacking with respect to the investigation of the existential dimensions and the challenges associated with finding new senses and meanings for one's identity and future perspectives, body and interpersonal relationships.MethodsThe aim of this study is to investigate the narrative processes of identity reconstruction after brain damage. Through a qualitative approach, 30 autobiographical narratives about self, body and the relationships with others were collected and analyzed. Semistructured interviews were used for the data collection. Narrative and positioning analysis were applied.ResultsFour main positionings emerged: sanctioning a radical break with one's previous life; assuming a sense of salvation and compulsory as well as irreversible adaptation to the limitations associated with one's condition; feeling different and disabled; and considering new possibilities and active constructions of self‐being in relationship with others. These results underline the narrative processes of construction of the injury and the identity and delineate possible resources and instruments to improve the clinical practice for health practitioners. They are also valuable for other professionals who deal with neurological services and rehabilitation, such as psychological counselling and support for persons who have experienced ABI and their families.Patient or Public ContributionThis work resulted from a close collaboration between two universities and a hospital neurological rehabilitation department in the Veneto Region (Northern Italy). Three associations of people with stroke and their families living in the same area contributed to designing the research on the basis of the needs expressed by their members with the aim to identify strategies and devices to be implemented in the public service to improve the care pathway. They also participated in the interpretation of the data.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

(Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke

Faccio,

Fonte,

Smania

et al. 2023

Health Expectations

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“…Learning the beliefs of family members, teachers, and classmates can help us understand how children with gender variance might perceive themselves. Gender identity is understood as an inherently relational construct and as an articulated system of different ways of configuring lived reality in continuity with one's own biography (Neri et al, 2022; Iudici et al, 2020; Iudici & Verdecchia, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promoting the health of gender variant children in Italy: Parents' experience with supportive networks

Iudici

Orczyk

2023

Family Relations

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ObjectiveThe aim of this research was to explore the ways in which Italian parents of gender variant (GV) children construct their experience of seeking medical–psychological support and their experience with local services.BackgroundWe refer to gender variance in minors as the process of identification with a gender, other than the one assigned at birth. Parents taking care of their GV children often search for professional support to better understand them and promote their overall well‐being. International research has shown that parents often meet health professionals who are ill‐equipped to support them.MethodWe interviewed 26 parents in Italy with children who are GV. Through discourse analysis, with a focus on Harré's discursive positioning, we discuss how throughout their experience, parents have turned to information from professionals who were mostly uneducated about gender variance, and therefore, unable to help.ResultsA mostly adequate support was received when the parents eventually turned to specialized services for transgender and GV people; however, the fundamental source of support and empowerment is the informal relational network of services and “gender” families.ConclusionParents' reports show that in Italy, health professionals and services addressing gender variance are highly heterogeneous and patchy, thus necessitating a specific training for professionals on the needs of transgender people.ImplicationsThis study is particularly important in the current context of the medicalization of children who are GV, as it offers valuable insights into the experiences of families navigating the complex and often stigmatized world of gender identity development.

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What to Say and What to Omit? Strategies and Self-Narratives for Obtaining a Diagnosis in Gender Transition

Faccio

Sebastio

Cipolletta

et al. 2023

Sexuality & Culture

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Mental health practitioners’ narratives about gender transition and the role of diagnosis: A qualitative study in the Italian context

Cited by 4 publications

References 73 publications

(Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke

(Re)constructing identity following acquired brain injury: The complex journey of recovery after stroke

Promoting the health of gender variant children in Italy: Parents' experience with supportive networks

What to Say and What to Omit? Strategies and Self-Narratives for Obtaining a Diagnosis in Gender Transition

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