Date of Conferral

7-7-2026

Date of Award

July 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Ethel Perry

Abstract

The intersection of race, gender identity, and systemic marginalization has profound implications for mental health outcomes, particularly among African American transgender individuals. Addressing African American transgender individuals’ stigma experiences in mental health settings is important because transgender individuals have dual minority statuses, wherein racism, stigma, transphobia, and institutional neglect converge, significantly impacting their access to affirming and effective mental health treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore the stigma experiences of the African American transgender individual in mental health settings. The phenomenon of interest in this study was stigma experiences in mental health settings with mental health providers. The study was grounded in the minority stress theory and the intersectionality theory, with the study’s research question being, “What are the stigma experiences of the African American transgender individual in mental health settings.” The study utilized qualitative methodology and a generic research design. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data for the study. The data analysis was thematic. The result of this study indicates that mental health providers must move towards active and visible advocacy for African American transgender individuals, as well as other racial and gender minority populations. The findings from this study have significant potential to drive positive social change across mental health practice, policy, education, and community systems.

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