Transgender Individuals' Social Support Experiences in Central Appalachia

225 Pages·2016·0.62 MB·English

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Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, Educational, School, and Counseling
and Counseling Psychology Psychology
2015
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Angela J. Aaron
University of Kentucky, [email protected]
Digital Object Identifier: http://dx.doi.org/10.13023/ETD.2016.233
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Aaron, Angela J., "Transgender Individuals' Social Support Experiences in Central Appalachia" (2015).
Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. 48.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edp_etds/48
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The document mentioned above has been reviewed and accepted by the student’s advisor, on
behalf of the advisory committee, and by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), on behalf of
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Angela J. Aaron, Student
Dr. Sharon Scales Rostosky, Major Professor
Dr. Kenneth Tyler, Director of Graduate Studies
TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS’ SOCIAL SUPPORT EXPERIENCES IN
CENTRAL APPALACHIA

DISSERTATION

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy in the College of Education
at the University of Kentucky

By
Angela Jo Aaron
Lexington, KY
Director: Dr. Sharon Scales Rostosky, Professor of Counseling Psychology
Lexington, KY
2015
Copyright © Angela Jo Aaron 2015
ABSTRACT OF DISSERTATION

TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS’ SOCIAL SUPPORT EXPERIENCES IN
CENTRAL APPALACHIA
The majority of empirical studies in transgender psychology have focused on the negative
experiences of urban transgender individuals (Grossman & D’Augelli, 2007; Koken,
Bimbi, & Parsons, 2009; Melendez & Pinto, 2007; Singh & McKleroy, 2011; Strain &
Shuff, 2010; Xavier, Bobbin, Singer, & Budd, 2005). Less is known about the
experiences of rural transgender individuals (Fassinger & Arseneau, 2007; Grossman,
2008) especially in Central Appalachia (Gray, 2009). The purpose of this study was to
examine transgender individuals’ perceptions of social support in Central Appalachia.
Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) ecological model framed the analysis of social support
experiences within the culture of Central Appalachia. I conducted 25 in-depth semi-
structured interviews with transgender individuals residing in Central Appalachia using a
protocol that was pilot tested and revised. Systematic grounded theory (Strauss &
Corbin, 1990, 1998) guided the research design and analyses. Findings suggested that
participants’ perceived social support from familial (11) and non-familial (19) sources.
Perceived support manifested as identity (15), emotional (three), and practical (four)
support which seemed to help compensate for the lack of transgender-specific resources
in much of Central Appalachia. Implications for further research and psychological
service delivery are discussed.

Keywords: transgender, rural, social support, Central Appalachia, and well-being
Angela Jo Aaron_______________
Student’s Signature

May 5, 2015__________________
Date
TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS’ SOCIAL SUPPORT EXPERIENCES IN
CENTRAL APPALACHIA

By

Angela Jo Aaron

_Sharon Scales Rostosky, Ph.D._
Director of Dissertation

___Kenneth Tyler Ph.D.___
Director of Graduate Studies

_____May 5, 2015_____
Date
Acknowledgements

The acknowledgments section has proven to be the most challenging to produce.
Only in that I lack the space to thank everyone whose love and support has saw me
through. A parallel process of support and care occurred as I explored the support
transgender individuals experienced in Central Appalachia.
I send out abundant gratitude and appreciation to all those who have tirelessly
checked in on my progress, encouraged me to be a human being rather than a human
doing, and reminded me that Rome was not built in a day. First and foremost, I must
thank my lovely wife Jo who has been my ever-present cheerleader, supporting me
through endless bouts of anxiety and tears. I also express my gratitude to our two
daughters, Nikki and Taylor, who waited patiently for me to come down to dinner after
hours in my office poring over manuscripts and turned into teenagers while I was
analyzing data and re-writing manuscripts.
I would be remiss not to thank my graduate cohort, David, Anna, and Bailey who
have traveled this journey with me. My mom and dad, who have been phenomenal in
their persistent inquiry regarding my progress in school for the past twenty-five years. I
also wish to thank my friends and family, too numerous to mention, who have similarly
stuck with me throughout.
The kindness and care provided by the faculty in the Counseling Psychology
program have not gone unnoticed. Especially Dr. Rostosky who initially met me as a
nervous interviewee waiting outside her office and believed in me enough to mold me
into a researcher and a more proficient writer. Dr. Riggle for encouraging me to focus
and Dr. Pam Remer for being a spectacular role model and stalwart for the
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empowerment of women, regardless of biological sex. Dr. Walinsky, an author whose
name I repeatedly cited and who eventually came to the University of Kentucky, has
shared his enthusiasm, expertise and gentle sincerity. Dr. Barrett, so knowledgeable
about trans identity and subculture, has been yet another gift in my journey. In addition
to the love, support, and encouragement of those around me, this dissertation study would
not have been possible were it not for the countless, gracious individuals throughout
Central Appalachia. I thank all of those who invited me into their worlds, told me their
stories, and changed my life.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iii

Table of Contents .................................................................................................................v

List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix

List of Figures ......................................................................................................................x
Chapter One: Introduction ..................................................................................................1
Social Support Can Be a Strength and a Resource ..................................................6
Ecological View of Transgender Social Support Experiences in Central
Appalachia ...............................................................................................................6
Central Appalachia ......................................................................................8
Contributions to Counseling Psychology Research and Practice .........................10
Chapter Two: Literature Review ......................................................................................13
Overview ................................................................................................................14
Social Support ........................................................................................................16
Social Support in Vulnerable Transgender Populations ...........................18
Identity Affirmation as a Form of Social Support ....................................20
Social Support and Psychological Well-being ..........................................24
Social Support and Transgender Communities .........................................27
Minimal Social Support Can Be Effective ................................................29
Rural Transgender Empirical Studies ....................................................................30
Rural Midwest Samples .............................................................................32
Strengths-Based Studies.........................................................................................34
Positivity ....................................................................................................35
Resilience ...................................................................................................37
Well-Being .................................................................................................38
Summary ................................................................................................................40
Strengths ....................................................................................................41
Limitations .................................................................................................42
Conclusion .................................................................................................43

Chapter Three: Research Design and Methodology .........................................................46

Relevant Features of Qualitative Methodology .....................................................46
Exploratory ................................................................................................46
Context-Based ............................................................................................47
Theory Generation .....................................................................................47
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Systematic Grounded Theory ................................................................................47
Structured and Procedural ..........................................................................48
Theory Derived from Interactions .............................................................48
Conditional Matrix .....................................................................................49
The Current Study ..................................................................................................49
Participant Recruitment .............................................................................50
Sample Size ....................................................................................51
Materials ................................................................................................................52
Interview Protocol ..................................................................................................52
Digital Audio Recorders ................................................................53
Data Collection Procedures ........................................................................54
Interview Transcription ..................................................................55
Data Analysis .............................................................................................55
Open Coding ..................................................................................55
Axial Coding ..................................................................................57
Selective Coding ............................................................................58
Conditional Matrix .........................................................................58
Memoing ........................................................................................58
Verification ....................................................................................59
Trustworthiness ..............................................................................60
Member-Checks .............................................................................61
Conclusion .........................................................................................................................62

Chapter Four: Results .......................................................................................................64
Introduction ............................................................................................................64
Participants .............................................................................................................65
Thematic Analysis .................................................................................................67
Common Sources of Social Support ..........................................................68
Immediate Family ..........................................................................68
Parents ................................................................................69
Siblings ..............................................................................71
Spouses ..............................................................................71
Children..............................................................................72
Extended Family ............................................................................72
Uncles ................................................................................73
Aunts ..................................................................................73
Cousins ...............................................................................74
Grandparents ......................................................................75
Non-Familial ..................................................................................75
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