Trans Rican Guys Self Support Group:

Unifying trans men with empowerment and knowledge

Resumo

Disparities in medical care are aggravated by the lack of data regarding transgender people within health providing services all over the country.  Feeling identified with a different gender from the one assigned at birth is a complex situation they cannot manifest easily because of social oppression. To move forward to their transition and to accept who they are, mental health is a key factor.  This study aims to explore the effectiveness of a self-support group for the transgender male population.  A 13-day semi-structured self-support group was designed for transgender male population.  Participants are 12 transgender males between 18 and 37 years of age (M= 27, SD= 7), from the San Juan metropolitan area in Puerto Rico.  During the course of group meetings, a battery of instruments (Beck Scale for Suicide Ideations, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale) was administered in the engagement meeting (i.e. intake), 6 month meeting, and last meeting (12 month since the first meeting).  The model that was used is the Participatory Action Research Model (PARM).  A significant statistical decrease in scores was found on the BSSI at the 6-month evaluation period. As well, a statistically significant reduction in scores was also observed in stress, anxiety, and depression on the DASS at the 6-month and 12-month assessment points. This reduction in scores indicates that the program was effective for this group in reducing suicidal ideation, stress, anxiety, and depression.  Hopelessness symptoms represent a lineal effect between the first intake and the 6 months follow up, however, although not statistically significant, there was a decrease of these symptoms at the 1-year follow up.  Clinical implications are discussed.