Chinese college students’ gender self-esteem and trans prejudice

Gender and Sexuality Disparities in Perception, Attitude and Social Intimacy Among Sinophone Youth Toward Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals: Based on an Internet Survey

The study aims at assessing gender and sexuality characteristics (GSC) in perception, attitude, and social intimacy among Sinophone youth toward transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people. Based on an internet survey with 3 825 valid questionnaires, we distinguished the general public into TGNC, cisgender heterosexual, and cisgender non-heterosexual individuals. Then we classified TGNC individuals into trans females, trans males, and non-binary/genderqueer people and cisgender individuals into cisgender females and cisgender males. The chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multiple linear regression were used. We found that the evident gender and sexuality disparities in perception, attitude, and social intimacy toward TGNC individuals exist both in and out of TGNC individuals. Negative perceptions and attitudes as well as alienated social intimacy were most pronounced among cisgender heterosexual people (Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression: all p < .001). Cisgender females exhibit higher levels of supportiveness compared to cisgender males. Trans females were the most positive while they also had more concerns regarding public space and gender expression-related issues. The findings are practical for community-based advocacy for raising public awareness of the presences and experiences of TGNC people in Sinophone societies.

Mental Health Contributors Among Transgender People in a Non-WEIRD Society: Evidence From China

Transgender people face numerous social hurdles and consequently report elevated rates of mental health problems. However, little research has examined whether established mental health findings generalize to experiences of transgender people outside of Western contexts. In an analysis of the 2017 Chinese Transgender Population General Survey ( N = 1,106), we examined how discrimination and environmental support in a school context related to mental health and self-harm among transgender people. We found that more frequent school discrimination was associated with worse mental health and increased self-harm. Further, perceived environmental support was associated with better mental health but was unrelated to self-harm. These relations did not differ based on whether people were “out” about being transgender at school or between men and women. These findings highlight nuance in the experiences of transgender people outside of Western contexts and hold implications for developing effective social interventions.

Mentally ill, HIV-positive, or sexual predator? Determining myths perceived as representative of transgender people

The present study explored possible stereotypical beliefs, or myths, related to prejudice and discrimination toward transgender individuals in the US. In a 5 x 2 x 3 mixed factorial design, Amazon Mechanical Turk workers ( N = 1,450) read a description of a target depicted as a sexual predator, HIV-positive, having a mental illness, an ally of transgender people, or unfair to others. They then completed an intuitive judgment task regarding the target’s gender (male or female) and identity stigma detail (transgender, sexual minority, or no stigmatized detail), and provided feeling thermometer ratings for various groups. Results indicated that participants perceived mental illness as relatively representative of transgender people, but not HIV-status or sexual predation. Feeling thermometer ratings for transgender people were significantly lower than those for other gender/stigma categories and were negatively correlated with participant religiosity and conservatism. We discuss these findings in terms of gendered assumptions and present implications for gender-related stigma and the role of perceived mental illness in antitransgender prejudice.

Reliability and Validity of Feminist Identity Composite in Chinese Women

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of a Chinese form of the Feminist Identity Composite (FIC). A total of 2,334 Chinese adult women completed the scale for this study. In study 1 (n = 875), exploratory analysis indicated six factors, Passive Acceptance, Revelation, Embeddedness/Emanation, Active Commitment, and Synthesis, the latter of which was divided into two subscales (Femininity Synthesis and Autonomous Synthesis). In study 2 (n = 810), confirmatory factor analysis was conducted with a different sample to examine the construct validity of the model obtained in study 1. In study 3 (n = 649), the convergent validity of the FIC was examined via their relationship with willingness to engage in feminist behaviors and attitude toward trans-people. The results indicated that a new measurement with solid conceptual and psychometrically solid properties needs to be developed to assess Chinese women’s feminist identity.

When It Is Not So Funny: Prevalence of Friendly Sexist Teasing and Consequences to Gender Self-Esteem

This research investigates the phenomenon of "friendly" sexist teases (FSTs), which we define as playful intergroup teases that are based on the negative gender stereotypes that devalue one's gender group. We first employed a diary study to explore the prevalence of FSTs in college students' everyday life and found that this type of teasing tends to occur in social situations and often between close others. In a second study, we experimentally manipulated perceived closeness with the teaser. We predicted that individuals teased by someone with whom they shared a perceived closeness would interpret FSTs as playful fun; therefore, the tease would not have a negative psychological effect. We further predicted that those teased by someone less close would likely focus on the literal content of the sexist tease, resulting in negative consequences to gender self-esteem. Results supported these predictions and provided insight into the phenomenon of FSTs.

An exploration of the lived experiences of non-binary individuals who have presented at a gender identity clinic in the United Kingdom

Background: Despite an increased awareness of non-binary identity in the current social landscape, the experiences and needs of this heterogeneous community are poorly understood and represented in the research literature. Evidence indicates that social exclusion is not uncommon for individuals expressing a non-binary gender identity, with reflections in the literature that this may in turn have an impact on their psychological wellbeing. Aim: As non-binary individuals are increasingly presenting at UK gender identity clinics and requesting medical interventions, the aim of this study was to better understand their experiences and needs. Method: Two focus groups were run consisting of eight service users of a National Health Service (NHS) gender identity clinic in the United Kingdom. The transcripts of these focus groups were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Five themes were identified: Invisibility, Managing non-binary gender identity in a binary world, Individuality, Gender dysphoria and Seeking interventions. Discussion: Clinical implications are discussed, with the recommendation for an affirmative approach that offers space for the non-binary individual to articulate their desires and come to terms with their identity. This exploration must take into consideration the person's place within a social world that can be transphobic and limited in terms of potential medical interventions. Further research is needed to better understand this marginalised community.