A life course analysis of lived challenges and resilience among transsexual individuals in Sri Lanka: A qualitative study

Abstract

Transsexual individuals, defined as those who seek or have undergone gender transition from male to female (MtF) or female to male (FtM), often experience significant psychosocial adversity due to stigma and marginalisation. There is a paucity of qualitative research exploring the lives of the transsexual population in Sri Lanka. Consequently, this study aimed to explore the personal narratives of lived experiences across their lifespan in the country's socio-cultural context.
A qualitative research design using thematic analysis was employed. Data were collected from 15 participants representing six of the nine provinces of Sri Lanka through in-depth interviews, clinical record reviews, and observational methods.
Four key themes emerged: early gender formation and incongruence, experiences of abuse, discrimination, stigma, and exclusion across social contexts, psychological distress and suicidality, and supportive relationships, self-acceptance and resilience, emerging across two life stages, childhood and adulthood.
The findings highlight limited understanding and sociocultural intolerance, underscoring the urgent need for targeted, culturally sensitive education, increased public awareness, and systemic improvements in healthcare delivery.