The Relationship between Transgender Congruence and Self-esteem in Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals: The Mediating Role of Gender Identity Rumination

Abstract

Low self-esteem is a common underlying symptom of mental health disorders and is often observed in transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals. Therefore, the study aimed to explore important determinants of self-esteem in TGNC individuals by assessing the relationships between transgender congruence, rumination about gender identity, and self-esteem. In a cross-sectional design, 324 TGNC individuals completed an online survey measuring two factors of transgender congruence (i.e., gender identity acceptance and appearance congruence), rumination about gender identity, and self-esteem. Hypotheses were tested using correlation analyses and a mediation analysis with gender identity acceptance and appearance congruence as predictors, rumination about gender identity as mediator, and self-esteem as outcome. Correlation analyses showed positive relationships of the two factors of transgender congruence with self-esteem. The mediation analysis revealed that these relationships were mediated by rumination about gender identity. Also, significant direct relationships between gender identity acceptance and appearance congruence and self-esteem were found. These results imply that transgender congruence and rumination about gender identity are factors that can be addressed in a clinical setting to increase self-esteem in TGNC individuals which ultimately can help reduce mental health problems.