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Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students

Theme

Humanities, Arts and Education

Title in Filipino [Pamagat ng Pananaliksik]

Living Through Adversity: Pag-unawa sa Diskriminasyon, Resilience, at Psychological Well-being ng mga Kabataang Pilipinong Transgender

Research Advisor

Stella P. Go

Abstract

Transgender youth continue to face systemic discrimination and social marginalization. These barriers can hinder their development and negatively affect their psychological well-being. However, little is known about the specific ways Filipino transgender youth experience discrimination and develop resilience. To address this gap, this study sought to understand the lived experiences of Filipino transgender youth, focusing on the discrimination they face and the resilience factors that contribute to their psychological well-being. This study employed a descriptive phenomenological approach, utilizing online in-depth interviews with nine transgender youth aged 17 to 23 from Metro Manila, comprising five female-to-male and four male-to-female individuals, who were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were analyzed using a modified Colaizzi’s (1978) descriptive phenomenological method. Findings revealed that discrimination often occurred in academic settings and manifested through microaggressions and social exclusion. These experiences contributed to feelings of stress, anxiety, and low self-esteem, among others, yet the impact of discrimination was mitigated by strong coping strategies, activism and emotional regulation, and social support from peers, family members, and affirming communities. A strong sense of identity pride also helped participants maintain self-worth, protecting them against gender-based discrimination. The study highlights the need for inclusive policies and supportive environments in educational institutions. Future research could explore how these resilience factors evolve, particularly concerning long-term access to gender-affirming environments.

Abstract in Filipino [Abstrak]

Patuloy pa ring nakararanas ng diskriminasyon at social marginalization ang kabataang transgender. Maaari itong makahadlang sa kanilang pag-unlad at makaaapekto sa kanilang psychological well-being. Gayunpaman, kakaunti pa ang pag-aaral tungkol sa partikular na paraan kung paano nararanasan ng mga kabataang Pilipinong transgender ang diskriminasyon at kung paano sila nagiging resilient. Dahil dito, layunin ng pag-aaral na maunawaan ang kanilang mga danas, na nakatuon sa diskriminasyon at sa mga salik ng resilience na nakatutulong sa kanilang psychological well-being. Gumamit ang pag-aaral ng deskriptibong penomenolohikal na lapit sa pamamagitan ng online na panayam sa siyam na kabataang transgender na may edad 17 hanggang 23 mula sa Metro Manila, na binubuo ng limang female-to-male at apat na male-to-female, na pinili gamit ang purposive at snowball sampling. Sinuri ang datos gamit ang modified Colaizzi’s (1978) descriptive phenomenological method. Batay sa naging resulta, madalas nagaganap ang diskriminasyon sa mga akademikong espasyo at nakikita sa pamamagitan ng microaggressions at social exclusion. Nagdulot ito ng stress, anxiety, at mababang self-esteem, ngunit nababawasan ang epekto nito sa pamamagitan ng matibay na coping strategies, kabilang ang activism, emotional regulation, at social support mula sa mga kaibigan, pamilya, at komunidad. Nakatulong din ang matibay na identity pride upang mapanatili ang self-worth ng mga kalahok laban sa diskriminasyong nakabatay sa kasarian. Ipinapakita ng pag-aaral ang pangangailangan ng inklusibong mga polisiya at suporta mula sa mga institusyong pang-edukasyon. Inirerekomenda rin sa mga susunod na pag-aaral ang pagsusuri kung paano nagbabago ang mga salik ng resilience, lalo na sa konteksto ng pangmatagalang akses sa gender-affirming environments.

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