Abstract

Research on transmasculine people’s health is scant globally, including in India. We explored transmasculine people’s experiences in affirming their gender in family and social spaces, and how those experiences impact mental health. In 2019, we conducted four focus groups (n = 17 participants) and 10 in-depth interviews with transmasculine people in Mumbai and Chennai. Data analyses were guided by minority stress theory and the gender affirmation model. Within family, the pressure to conform to assigned gender roles and gender policing usually began in adolescence and increased over time. Some participants left parental homes due to violence. In educational settings, participants described the enforcement of gender-normative dress codes, lack of faculty support, and bullying victimisation, which led some to quit schooling. In the workplace, experiences varied depending on whether participants were visibly trans or had an incongruence between their identity documents and gender identity. Everyday discrimination experiences in diverse settings contributed to psychological distress. Amidst these challenges, participants reported resilience strategies, including self-acceptance, connecting with peers, strategic (non)disclosure, and circumventing gendered restrictions on dress and behaviour. Interventions at social-structural, institutional, family and individual levels are needed to reduce stigma and discrimination faced by transmasculine people in India and to promote their mental health.

摘要

在全球范围内，包括印度在内，对跨男性健康的研究很少。我们探讨了跨性别者在家庭和社会空间中确认其性别的经历，以及这些经历如何影响心理健康。2019 年，我们开展了四个焦点小组（n = 17 名参与者）和 10 次对孟买和钦奈跨性别人士的深入采访。数据分析以少数族裔压力理论和性别肯定模型为指导。在家庭内部，遵守分配的性别角色和性别监管的压力通常始于青春期，并随着时间的推移而增加。一些参与者因暴力离开父母家。在教育环境中，参与者描述了性别规范着装规范的执行、缺乏教师支持和欺凌受害，这导致一些人辍学。在工作场所，经验因参与者是否明显是跨性别者或他们的身份证件与性别认同不一致而有所不同。不同环境中的日常歧视经历导致了心理困扰。在这些挑战中，参与者报告了复原力策略，包括自我接纳、与同龄人联系、战略（不）披露以及规避对着装和行为的性别限制。需要在社会结构、制度、家庭和个人层面进行干预，以减少印度跨性别者面临的污名和歧视，并促进他们的心理健康。