Supporting Transgender College Students: Implications for Clinical Intervention and Campus Prevention

Transgender College Student Identity Development: A Narratology of Intermediating Experiences

“…These are critical gaps in the TGNC literature given the profound identity development and existential meaning making within this age group (Goodrich et al, 2016;Singh et al, 2013;Zeligman et al, 2019). Scholars who have examined TGNC college student experiences have often focused on mental wellness by investigating student experiences with institutionalized transphobia, trauma, and psychological distress, exploring the relationship between student' experiences and retention, sense of belonging, and implications for college counselors and administrators (Stolzenberg & Hughes, 2017;Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017). Although this focus has provided understanding of how counselors can intervene to promote mental wellness in the lives of TGNC college students, there is a dearth of research about how TGNC students' identity development and struggle for safety in being authentic are impacted based on their college environment and experience.…”

“…College students who identify as TGNC must navigate not only marginalization, but also their intersecting identities within the context of a college setting (Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017). TGNC college students are shaping their identities in conjunction with newly gained independence, social connections, and learning their university systems, making their college-going experience different from cisgender peers (Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017).…”

“…College students who identify as TGNC must navigate not only marginalization, but also their intersecting identities within the context of a college setting (Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017). TGNC college students are shaping their identities in conjunction with newly gained independence, social connections, and learning their university systems, making their college-going experience different from cisgender peers (Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017). The literature illustrates unique struggles that TGNC college students face, ranging from housing to navigating campus bathrooms and accessing mental health, academic, and social supports (Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017).…”

“…TGNC college students are shaping their identities in conjunction with newly gained independence, social connections, and learning their university systems, making their college-going experience different from cisgender peers (Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017). The literature illustrates unique struggles that TGNC college students face, ranging from housing to navigating campus bathrooms and accessing mental health, academic, and social supports (Swanbrow Becker et al, 2017). What is not named in the literature, however, is that the unique oppression this population faces is situated in the expectations of U.S. gender roles and stereotypes, which can be perpetuated by both cisgender and TGNC students, making the prospect of seeking support feel daunting at best.…”

Associations Between Transgender Identity, Sleep, Mental Health and Suicidality Among a North American Cohort of College Students

“…11,22,23 Risk factors for mood issues among transgender college students are a negative cultural environment on campus, poor institutional support, and negative family and community experiences. 24 Consequently, transgender students may feel marginalized even among the lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ) community. 25 In the university health care environment, many transgender students report misgendering by therapists and health providers.…”