PERMA as Predictor of Resilience and Life Satisfaction among Transgenders

Abstract

Transgenders are one of the most socially marginalized groups, facing oppressions, bullying, sexual abuse, denial from biological family, and becoming victims of multiple forms of discrimination. Despite these stressors, many of the transgenders are able to maintain an authentic sense of self, employ effective coping strategies, and show an enhanced capacity of resilience during adverse situations. The present study attempts to understand the factors that predict resilience and life satisfaction among transgenders. A convenient sample of 330 transwomen in the age group 18 to 55 years was recruited from different regions of a midsized city in South India. The participants completed self-report measure of PERMA, negative emotions, health, resilience, and life satisfaction. Multiple regression analyses were carried out to analyse the data. The results revealed that positive emotion, engagement, meaning, and accomplishment positively predicted resilience while negative emotion negatively predicted resilience. Meaning positivelypredicted life satisfaction.Positive emotions, meaning, engagement and accomplishment appear to be more relevant to positive adaptation among transgenders than relationship. Therefore, these factors can lead to the pathway to resilience among transgenders.Future research should focus on the training programs using PERMA model to promote resilience in transgenders.