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Cited by 106LGBTQ Health, Identity, and PolicyImpact of Technology on AdolescentsHealth Literacy and Information Accessibility

It’s my safe space: The life-saving role of the internet in the lives of transgender and gender diverse youth

Open access
Austin, Ashley, Craig, Shelley L., Navega, Nicole, McInroy, Lauren B.·2020·International Journal of Transgender Health
DOI 10.1080/15532739.2019.1700202PMC PMC7430466
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Abstract

Background: Public awareness of Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) identities has grown significantly; however, acceptance and support remain elusive for many TGD youth. Resultant experiences of marginalization and stigmatization contribute to elevated rates of psychological distress and suicidality among TGD youth. Emergent evidence suggests that the internet may offer TGD youth safety, support, and community previously unavailable.Aim: The primary aim of this qualitative inquiry is to engage in an in-depth exploration of the online experiences and processes which help protect against psychological distress and promote well-being among TGD youth.Methods: Data were culled from a mixed-methods, online study of sexual and gender minority youth from across the United States and Canada which followed Institutional Review Board approved protocols. Participants for this study represent a sample (n = 260) of TGD participants aged 14–22 (x̄ = 17.30). Data were analyzed using Charmaz’ grounded theory strategies.Results: Data revealed that the internet offers TGD youth affirming spaces that, for the most part, do not exist in their offline lives. Online, TGD youth were able to engage meaningfully with others as their authentic selves, often for the first time. These experiences fostered well-being, healing, and growth through five processes: 1. Finding an escape from stigma and violence, 2. Experiencing belonging, 3. Building confidence, 4. Feeling hope, and 5. Giving back.Discussion: The unique and innovative ways in which participants use online spaces to foster resilience offer important insights to inform affirmative practices with TGD young people.

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Crossref · 10.1080/15532739.2019.1700202

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  • Online TGD spaces are often the first point of contact for TGD individuals beginning to challenge or explore their gender identity.

    “these spaces are often the first point of contact for TGD individuals beginning to challenge or explore their gender identity [12,27,28].”

    From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [12]

    The Discussion says online belonging provides a foundation for TGD youths’ self-exploration, and the Results describe participants finding community and exploring who they are online. The paper does not establish that online TGD spaces are often their first point of contact when beginning to explore their gender identity; its study concerns youth rather than TGD individuals generally. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Many TGD individuals rely on online friendships and communities as their primary form of social support.

    “Many TGD individuals rely on online friendships and communities as their primary form of social support [12,28].”

    From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [12]

    The Results and Discussion describe online friendships and communities as important sources of belonging and support for TGD youth, often providing affirmation unavailable offline. The paper studies youth aged 14–22 and does not establish that online relationships are the primary form of social support for many TGD individuals generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • The ability to live authentically and to have their gender identity acknowledged and accepted by friends, both those TGD themselves and cisgender allies, appeared to lessen the impact of victimization, consistent with previous research.

    “The ability to live authentically and to have their gender identity acknowledged and accepted by friends, both those TGD themselves and cisgender allies, appeared to lessen the impact of victimization, which is consistent with previous research [12,25].”

    From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [12]

    The Sources of resilience section identifies authentic living, acceptance, and belonging as sources of resilience; Finding an escape from stigma and violence describes online support as an escape from victimization. The paper does not specifically establish that acceptance by both TGD friends and cisgender allies lessened the impact of victimization. (LLM, conf=0.84)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Online TGD spaces can facilitate a sense of community for TGD individuals who might otherwise be isolated from the wider TGD community.

    “Online TGD spaces can facilitate a sense of community for TGD individuals who might otherwise be isolated from the wider TGD community”

    From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [12]

  • For TGD individuals, social support is a vitally important source of resilience and a protective factor against the effects of victimization.

    “For TGD individuals, social support is a vitally important source of resilience and a protective factor against the effects of victimization [12,25,28].”

    From A Phenomenological Investigation into Cyberbullying as Experienced by People Identifying as Transgender or Gender Diverse (2022) · cites this paper as [12]

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Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

3 of the 51 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Tedeschi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundations and empirical evidence. Psychological Inquiry , 15 (1), 1 -18. doi:10.1207/ s15327965pli1501\_01
  2. Yunger, J. L., Carver, P. R., & Perry, D. G. (2004). Does gender identity influence children ' s psychological wellbeing? Developmental Psychology , 40 (4), 572 -582. doi:10. 1037/0012-1649.40.4.572

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Authors
Austin, A., Craig, S. L., Navega, N., & McInroy, L. B.
Affiliations
  • Barry University (US)
  • University of Toronto (CA)
  • The Ohio State University (US)
Corresponding author
Austin, Ashley
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Transgender Health
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2020-01-02
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
33-44
ISSN
2689-5269 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1080/15532739.2019.1700202
PMC
PMC7430466
OpenAlex
W3000113576
Cited by
106
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 4
FWCI
11.75
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Transgender Health (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (498466)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Health Literacy and Information Accessibility
Keywords
transgender youth, gender-diverse youth, online communities, internet use, psychological distress, suicidality, sense of belonging, self-affirmation, resilience, stigma, well-being, sexual and gender minority youth

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