An exploration of trans people's experiences of disordered eating and gender affirming healthcare

Abstract

This thesis aimed to explore transgender (trans) people’s experiences of health and healthcare systems. It focused on two areas of health pertinent to trans people: disordered eating and gender affirming healthcare.

Chapter one was a systematic review of qualitative research exploring trans people’s experiences of disordered eating. Ten papers were synthesised, capturing the experiences of 322 trans people. Three themes emerged: (1) The relationship between gender dysphoria and disordered eating, (2) Unmet treatment needs, and (3) The impact of social forces. The findings highlighted unique aspects of disordered eating experience for trans people. The need to develop psychological interventions and service structure that meet the needs of trans people with eating disorders was discussed.

Chapter two was a qualitative research study exploring trans people’s discourses of navigating UK gender affirming healthcare. Foucauldian Discourse Analysis was used to explore how concepts of knowledge and power were operating in gender affirming healthcare. Interviews with six trans people were analysed. Two dominant and two alternative discourses emerged: (1a) “People who don’t believe me”: the knowledge-power dynamic in the medical system (1b) “That feels like a ‘we’”: power sharing (2a) “Passing the test”: complying with power in the medical system (2b) “I don’t have to be passive”: reclaiming power outside the medical system. The discourses suggested that power in the healthcare system placed trans people in an objectified position. Trans people responded to this by occupying the subjectified position or by reclaiming a position of power outside the medical system. Implications, including the impact on holistic assessment were discussed.

Chapter three explored the findings of the thesis in the context of current theory and practice and provided a reflection on the research process.

Date of Award	14 Oct 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Bangor University
Supervisor	Carolien Lamers (Supervisor) & Laura Spencer-Jones (Supervisor)