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Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals' Access to Eating Disorder Treatment: Facilitators and Barriers

Kelligher, Chelsea J
http://orcid.org/0009-0000-8504-0295
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu169287441311179

Abstract Details

2023, Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education, Cleveland State University, College of Education and Human Services.
Access to effective eating disorder treatment and early symptom change can mitigate the risk for severe symptoms and premature death, however there are extensive structural and financial barriers preventing access to eating disorder treatment for all individuals. Transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people possess significant risk for disordered eating and body image disturbances because of stigma and stressors, gender dysphoria, and difficulty accessing gender-affirming care. The existing literature on TGNC people and eating disorders is sparse, largely focuses on adolescents, and lacks the intersectional, qualitative exploration of TGNC adults and access to eating disorder care. To fill this gap in the literature, this study implemented a critical phenomenological qualitative research approach to understand the essence of TGNC adults’ experiences with accessing eating disorder treatment, with emphasis on facilitators and barriers to care. TGNC participants (n = 18) in this study described experiencing eating disorder treatment centers as valuing profit over patient care, with challenges accessing and funding eating disorder treatment unless possessing financial privileges. Participants also reported experiencing reduced relevance of existing eating disorder treatment programs to their eating disorder experiences compared to cisgender girls/women with eating disorders. They described treatment as stigmatizing, but endorsed more positive experiences when providers possessed TGNC and/or eating disorder education and training, or identified as TGNC/BIPOC themselves. Participants also reported numerous treatment resources and social support-related barriers and facilitators to care.
Julia Phillips, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Ingrid Hogge, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Brittany Sommers, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Counseling Psychology; Glbt Studies; Health Care; Mental Health; Psychology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kelligher, C. J. (2023). Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals' Access to Eating Disorder Treatment: Facilitators and Barriers [Doctoral dissertation, Cleveland State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu169287441311179

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kelligher, Chelsea. Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals' Access to Eating Disorder Treatment: Facilitators and Barriers. 2023. Cleveland State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu169287441311179.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kelligher, Chelsea. "Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Individuals' Access to Eating Disorder Treatment: Facilitators and Barriers." Doctoral dissertation, Cleveland State University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu169287441311179

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

csu169287441311179
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© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Cleveland State University and OhioLINK.