Qualitative Study on the Psychological Experiences of Trans-man and Trans-woman

Transsexuals have problems associated with self and gender identities, as well as with their relationships with specialists such as doctor and counsellors. On the basis of the principle of interpretative phenomenological analysis, an exploratory research was carried out on self by studying the psychological experiences of participants and their relationships with specialists. Consequently the following needs of the transsexuals were identified: (1) understanding and alleviation of grief, conflict, and anxiety associated with gender dysphoria; (2) recovery and improvement of self-esteem; (3) support in real-life experiences and measures related to social and legal issues, such as coming out; and (4) necessity of information provision at medical institutions and among peers. To meet these needs, it was suggested that the specialists should (1) help recover their self-esteem through the exploration of their sexual identities and maintain and improve their quality of life and (2) provide comprehensive support to alleviate the grief caused by gender dysphoria. Such support will facilitate affirmative psychological experiences of transsexuals, which will require further attention in the form of clinical intervention.