Support for Mothers, Fathers, or Guardians of Transgender Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review on the Dynamics of Secondary Social Networks

Paula D. Abreu, Rubia L. P. Andrade, Israel L. S. Maza, Mariana G. B. F. Faria, Ana B. M. Valença, Ednaldo C. Araújo, Pedro F. Palha, Ricardo A. Arcêncio, Ione C. Pinto, Jaqueline G. A. Ballestero, Sandra A. Almeida, Jordana A. Nogueira and Aline A. Monroe
Additional contact information
Paula D. Abreu: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Rubia L. P. Andrade: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Israel L. S. Maza: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Mariana G. B. F. Faria: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Ana B. M. Valença: Nursing Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
Ednaldo C. Araújo: Nursing Department, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife 50670-901, Brazil
Pedro F. Palha: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Ricardo A. Arcêncio: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Ione C. Pinto: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Jaqueline G. A. Ballestero: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil
Sandra A. Almeida: Clinical Nursing Department, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil
Jordana A. Nogueira: Clinical Nursing Department, Federal University of Paraiba, Joao Pessoa 58051-900, Brazil
Aline A. Monroe: Ribeirao Preto College of Nursing, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14040-902, Brazil

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 14, 1-28

Abstract: Mothers’, fathers’, or guardians’ support for disclosures of diverse gender identity has significant relationships with decreased suicidality for transgender children and adolescents. They play an essential role in facing transphobia, protecting trans children, and strengthening the expression of their identity. These guardians need structural, emotional, and informative support; they need to be prepared to recognize and manage of their own feelings, as well as deal with the challenges that come with new social contexts of transphobia in schools, health institutions, and other community spaces. This study aimed to analyze the scientific evidence on the dynamics of secondary social networks to support mothers, fathers, or guardians of transgender children and adolescents. This is a systematic review of qualitative studies, guided by PRISMA guidelines. Controlled and free vocabularies were used to survey the primary studies in the following databases: EMBASE; Scopus; MEDLINE; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL); PsycInfo; Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS); and Web of Science. A total of 28 articles made up the final sample of this review. Secondary social networks were described as fragile, characterized by conflicting and broken ties with healthcare services and professionals, isolation and unpreparedness from schools, and emotional and informational support from peer groups and some qualified healthcare professionals. The literature shows the potential of the dynamics of secondary social support networks; however, it presented the unpreparedness of professionals and institutional policies for welcoming transgender children and adolescents and their families, with the peer group being the main emotional and informative support network.

Keywords: mothers; parents; transgender persons; social support; social networking (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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