Resilience Strategies Buffer The Impact of Internalized Transphobia on Sexual Esteem of Transgender Individuals

Abstract

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, this study examines the link between internalized transphobia, sexual esteem and resilience strategies among transgender people. In our sample of 100 transgender individuals, we were interested in how resilience strategies can act as a buffer against the negative effects of internalized transphobia on sexual esteem. These dynamics were investigated using correlation, regression and moderation techniques. The findings showed that there was a strong and negative relationship between the degree to which they internalize their own transphobia and their sexual self-esteem indicating that high levels of internalized transphobia are associated with low sexual self-esteem. Further regression analysis supported this result demonstrating significant prediction for sexual esteem by internalized transphobia. On the other hand, recovery factors were positively related with sexual self-esteem as indicated by the results of regression analyses that substantiated such factors’ significant increase in sexual self-esteem. Finally, moderation analysis highlighted that resilience strategies significantly moderate the deleterious effects of internalized transphobia on sexual self-esteem. As a result, this buffering effect underscores how crucial it is for them to have resiliency so as to remain psychologically healthy.