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The how, when, and why (not) of adolescents’ and young adults’ experiences telling others about intersex/DSD

Kraft, Carina LU (2020) PSYP01 20201
Department of Psychology
Abstract
Receiving social support is central in dealing with life events in general. Intersex or disorders of sex development (DSD) people and especially adolescents, however, have been found to be reluctant to share information about their sex development and often find themselves dealing with it on their own. A shift toward more psychosocial care for intersex/DSD people and human rights claims for more awareness call for research into the lived realities of intersex/DSD people. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore how intersex/DSD adolescents and young adults experience talking about their variation with others, particularly with family, friends, and (potential) partners. Interviews with twelve young people in the UK were... (More)
Receiving social support is central in dealing with life events in general. Intersex or disorders of sex development (DSD) people and especially adolescents, however, have been found to be reluctant to share information about their sex development and often find themselves dealing with it on their own. A shift toward more psychosocial care for intersex/DSD people and human rights claims for more awareness call for research into the lived realities of intersex/DSD people. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore how intersex/DSD adolescents and young adults experience talking about their variation with others, particularly with family, friends, and (potential) partners. Interviews with twelve young people in the UK were analyzed using thematic analysis with an interpretative phenomenological approach. Findings illustrated why and how the young people talk about their variation and allowed to develop a differentiated understanding as to why they withhold information. Reasons ranged from internalized pathological ideas of themselves, navigating embarrassment within their families, fearing exclusion or rejection by friends or (potential) partners to concerns on a societal level. Public unawareness of intersex/DSD was discussed as the connecting factor underlying voiced concerns. The findings emphasize the importance to increase public awareness of intersex/DSD as well as to inform psychosocial support providers about the experiences and feelings of intersex/DSD people when communicating about their variations in sex development. (Less)
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author
Kraft, Carina LU
supervisor
organization
course
PSYP01 20201
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
intersex, disorders of sex development (DSD), communication, normative society, social support, adolescents, patient-centered care
language
English
id
9030005
date added to LUP
2020-10-19 17:04:49
date last changed
2020-10-19 17:04:49
@misc{9030005,
  abstract     = {{Receiving social support is central in dealing with life events in general. Intersex or disorders of sex development (DSD) people and especially adolescents, however, have been found to be reluctant to share information about their sex development and often find themselves dealing with it on their own. A shift toward more psychosocial care for intersex/DSD people and human rights claims for more awareness call for research into the lived realities of intersex/DSD people. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore how intersex/DSD adolescents and young adults experience talking about their variation with others, particularly with family, friends, and (potential) partners. Interviews with twelve young people in the UK were analyzed using thematic analysis with an interpretative phenomenological approach. Findings illustrated why and how the young people talk about their variation and allowed to develop a differentiated understanding as to why they withhold information. Reasons ranged from internalized pathological ideas of themselves, navigating embarrassment within their families, fearing exclusion or rejection by friends or (potential) partners to concerns on a societal level. Public unawareness of intersex/DSD was discussed as the connecting factor underlying voiced concerns. The findings emphasize the importance to increase public awareness of intersex/DSD as well as to inform psychosocial support providers about the experiences and feelings of intersex/DSD people when communicating about their variations in sex development.}},
  author       = {{Kraft, Carina}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The how, when, and why (not) of adolescents’ and young adults’ experiences telling others about intersex/DSD}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}