Date of Award

Spring 2013

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Family Studies

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Elizabeth M Dolan

Abstract

Data from interviews with 11 transgender women ages 55 to 77 were used to examine the experiences of gender-diverse individuals throughout the lifespan. Specifically, qualitative methods were used to examine how participants had experienced discrimination, developed strengths and resiliencies as a response to discrimination, and employed strategies predicted by Hobfoll's Conservation of Resources Theory. Focused coding of the data revealed significant and pervasive discrimination in multiple settings and throughout the participants' lives. The data also, however, revealed a wide range of strengths and resiliencies and indicated that participants employed a variety of strategies that allowed them to amass, maintain, and conserve resources as predicted by Hobfoll's theory.

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