Date of Conferral

10-20-2026

Date of Award

October 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Social Work

Advisor

Jeanna Jacobsen

Abstract

Transgender and gender-diverse individuals experience disproportionate mental health challenges, such as chronic stress, due to social exclusion. Research indicates that transgender individuals disproportionately experience poorer mental health outcomes compared to the broader LGBTQ+ community. This study expands research on how proximal and distal stressors impact transgender individuals' perceptions of inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community. Minority stress theory posits that increased discrimination causes transgender people to experience greater psychological distress than their cisgender LGBTQ+ peers. The present qualitative study employed semistructured interviews with 12 transgender participants to examine their perceptions of inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community. Braun and Clarke's 6-step, thematic analysis was used to analyze these data. The study revealed three themes that shape how the participants perceive inclusion within the LGBTQ+ community: (a) Transgender inclusion and queer spaces, (b) proximal and distal stressors from outside the LGBTQ+ community reinforce a sense of inclusion, and (c) proximal and distal stressors from within the LGBTQ+ community can reduce a sense of inclusion. Theme 1 had two subthemes: Not all queer spaces are the same, and the impact of transgender inclusion. The findings reveal that the LGBTQ+ community fosters inclusive queer spaces, but individuals' experiences of support vary. Social workers must recognize that the LGBTQ+ community is not a monolith, and transgender individuals' experiences vary widely. The findings can contribute to positive social change by revealing that when transgender individuals feel included, their sense of minority stressors appears to decrease.

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