Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
School
Psychology
Advisor
Sandra Street
Abstract
It was not known how transgender activists' lived experiences of a sense of belonging influence their motivations to achieve personal goal attainment. Using the theory of achievement motivation, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how transgender activists' lived experiences of a sense of belonging influenced their motivations to achieve personal goal attainment. Two topics guided this study: how transgender activists' community participation influenced their sense of belonging and how transgender activists' lived experiences of a sense of belonging influenced their motivation to achieve and personal goal attainment. Thematic analysis was used to identify five themes collected from interviews with eight participants. The five themes included (a) participating in activities that help other transgender individuals, (b) found people with whom they could relate, (c) increased motivation to achieve from the outcomes of community participation, (d) became confident in themselves and their beliefs, and (e) felt empowered to do things for others. Findings indicated transgender individuals were motivated to achieve their goals when they believed those goals were attainable through activism and their community. Therefore, these findings are crucial in enabling medical leaders, healthcare providers, and other relevant stakeholders to understand, engage, and educate transgender activists on effective techniques to manage their experienced barriers to community belongingness and goal attainment. The findings may be used for positive social change by enhancing such practitioners’ abilities to relate with this vulnerable community.
Recommended Citation
Gray, Donella, "Sense of Belonging, Achievement Motivation, and Goal Attainment Through the Lens of Transgender Activists" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 13389.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/13389
