Interpersonal Transphobia Within Nursing: A Critical Concept Exploration

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Sociology
• Public Health

Background:

• Transphobic perceptions create significant barriers to healthcare access and negatively affect health outcomes for transgender and gender-diverse individuals.
• The concept of transphobia lacks a clear definition within nursing literature, hindering the development of targeted interventions.
• Understanding transphobia is crucial for nurses to uphold ethical practice standards and provide equitable care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically explore and define the concept of interpersonal transphobia within the context of nursing.
• To identify the core attributes and antecedents of interpersonal transphobia.
• To inform nursing practice and policy development aimed at reducing transphobia.

Main Methods:

• A critical realist lens was employed for concept exploration.
• A comprehensive review of purposefully selected literature was conducted.
• Analysis focused on identifying defining attributes and antecedents of interpersonal transphobia.

Main Results:

• Key attributes of interpersonal transphobia include discrimination and prejudice.
• Antecedents identified were cisnormativity, erasure, and stigma.
• The study provides a clearer conceptualization of interpersonal transphobia.

Conclusions:

• Nurses play a vital role in mitigating transphobia through education and gender-affirming care.
• Inclusion of transgender individuals in research is essential for advancing knowledge and practice.
• Advocacy for equitable policies and procedures is a critical nursing action to reduce transphobia and improve care.