Gender Identity and Personal Agency

Abstract

Over the years, research has reiterated the unique difficulties faced by those within the transgender community, including increased risk for verbal and physical abuse, depression, substance abuse, and suicidality compared to cisgender members of society (Westmacott & Edmondstone, 2020). Although mainstream Western culture is growing in inclusivity and understanding for transgender individuals, psychological literature regarding the correlation between various gender identities and personal agency nonetheless remains under-researched, leaving a large gap in practitioner understanding of transgender identities within and outside of therapeutic spaces (Yavuz, 2016). This paper articulates findings surrounding the intersectionality of transgender identities and personal agency, answering the questions: What are the experience(s) of agency for gender variant and transgender individuals? Furthermore, how can psychologists increase personal agency for gender diverse and transgender communities? Through secondary research, this paper identified specific protective factors for transgender individuals, cognised what agency individuals in this community currently poses, and offers specific tools counsellors can implement to increase personal, proxy, and collective agency with their gender diverse clients.