What is it about?
This pilot study looks at how family therapy can help religious families, specifically conservative Baptist families, become more accepting of transgender family members. The researchers used a structured, step-by-step therapy method, combining traditional family therapy with cultural respect and understanding. The therapy focused on improving family relationships and helping family members cope with their emotions in a healthier way. The study found that the therapy led to significant improvements in family closeness, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and overall coping skills. These positive changes were still evident three months after the therapy ended, suggesting lasting effects. The study shows that a respectful and well-organized approach to therapy can help religious families accept transgender individuals and improve family dynamics, opening the door for more research on how this method could work in other family settings.
Featured Image
Photo by Kyle on Unsplash
Why is it important?
This is important because transgender individuals often face rejection and lack of acceptance, especially within religious communities that may have strong traditional views on gender. Family acceptance plays a crucial role in the well-being of transgender individuals, and this study shows that it is possible to help families overcome their initial resistance and develop more supportive, loving relationships. The use of a structured therapy approach that respects the family’s cultural and religious beliefs is especially significant because it demonstrates that change can occur without forcing families to abandon their values. The findings provide hope for more inclusive and accepting family environments for transgender individuals, and it highlights a valuable, adaptable therapeutic approach that can potentially benefit other families in similar situations.
Perspectives
I am deeply committed to finding ways to support transgender individuals and their families, especially in contexts where acceptance may be particularly challenging, such as conservative religious environments. Working with these families, we wanted to bridge the gap between the family’s cultural and religious beliefs and the need for greater acceptance of transgender identities. By adapting Haley’s Model for Family Therapy with principles of cultural humility, we were able to provide a respectful, systematic approach that led to positive changes in family dynamics. This research was a valuable learning experience, and I am encouraged by the lasting improvements we saw in family cohesion and emotional regulation. I hope this pilot study sparks further research into how culturally sensitive and structured interventions can promote acceptance and understanding in families with differing beliefs, ultimately creating a more supportive environment for transgender individuals.
Assoc. Prof. Ezra N. S. Lockhart
National University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Increasing Transgender Acceptance in Religious Families: A Pilot Study of Manualized Strategic Family Therapy, International Journal of Systemic Therapy, September 2024, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/2692398x.2024.2408135.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
