Ethical challenges and human vulnerability in transgender youth: A qualitative study

BackgroundTransgender youth face multiple ethical and social challenges that significantly impact their mental health, dignity, and overall well-being. These challenges are influenced by social, cultural, and religious norms in a middle eastern country, and little is known about the ethical dimensions of their lived experiences.Research question/aim/objectivesThis study aimed to explore the ethical challenges and human vulnerability experienced by transgender youth in a middle eastern country, focusing on care, dignity, and social justice.Research designA qualitative study employing conventional content analysis was conducted to capture in-depth insights from participants' lived experiences.Participants and research contextEighteen transgender youth from the western region of the study setting participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Participants were recruited via purposeful and snowball sampling, and interviews were conducted in private settings, lasting approximately 45 min each.Ethical considerationsThe ethical approval was obtained from the relevant institutional ethics committee. Confidentiality was ensured, written informed consent was obtained, and participants were free to withdraw at any time without consequences.Findings/resultsParticipants reported pervasive experiences of physical and sexual abuse, social rejection, discrimination in education and employment, stigma, rumination, anxiety about the future, family rejection, poverty, engagement in high-risk behaviours including substance use and criminality, and limited access to psychological, sexual health, and therapeutic counselling. These factors significantly affected their mental health, social integration, and overall quality of life, highlighting ethical concerns regarding care, vulnerability, and social justice.ConclusionsTransgender youth in a middle eastern country experience significant ethical and psychosocial challenges that threaten their mental health and well-being. There is an urgent need for culturally sensitive interventions, inclusive policies, and comprehensive counselling services to promote dignity, social justice, and mental health support for transgender individuals.