Author ORCID Identifier
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3559-5705
Defense Date
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Psychology
First Advisor
Paul Perrin
Second Advisor
Eric Benotsch
Abstract
Transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) individuals experience high rates of discrimination and microaggressions that can lead to internalized cisgenderism and adverse mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and suicidality. Individuals with disabilities similarly experience high rates of discrimination and microaggressions that can lead to internalized ableism and increased adverse mental health outcomes. Although both of these populations have been researched separately, very little extant research has explored the intersections of disabled and TGNB identities. The purpose of this study was to explore a hypothesized pathway leading from microaggressions through internalized oppression and mental health to suicidal ideation within a sample of disabled TGNB individuals in an effort to understand how these variables affect suicidality within this multiply marginalized community. The study performed a multiple mediation path analysis using AMOS to identify direct and indirect effects of each aspect of the hypothesized path model. The findings illuminated the importance of exploring the intersections of multiply marginalized identities. The sample showed increased rates of adverse mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, and suicidality) as well as correlations between microaggressions and internalized oppression. Indirect effects were observed between disability microaggressions and mental health symptoms as well as disability microaggressions and past-month suicidal ideation, and between internalized ableism and past-month suicidal ideation. These findings point to the necessity of exploring the intersections of multiply marginalized identities.
Rights
© The Author
Is Part Of
VCU University Archives
Is Part Of
VCU Theses and Dissertations
Date of Submission
4-27-2024