Date

12-4-2025

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Richard Green

Keywords

Transgender, Gender Dysphoria, Attachment, Childhood Sexual Abuse, Gender Affirming Care

Disciplines

Counseling

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the experiences transgender adults have with attachment and childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The theory guiding this study is John Bowlby’s attachment theory, as secure attachment has the potential to act as a buffer against increased risks in cases where histories of CSA have occurred. Patterns of insecure and disorganized attachment are found at higher percentages within the transgender and gender dysphoric population than the cisgender population when a history of CSA is present. Research was needed to further explore and better understand the transgender population’s experiences of attachment and CSA with regard for the treatment of pre-transitional trauma. Data for the current study was collected through the individual interviews of 10 participants, with six of the participants engaging in a follow-up focus group interview. A hermeneutical approach guided the data analysis process, utilizing a hybrid method of coding that was deducted from the research and inducted from the interviews. Eight themes emerged from the data analysis, including: abuse and neglect, CSA, failure to protect, lack of services, identity formation, language development, gender affirming care, and increased risk. The results demonstrate insecure and disorganized patterns of attachment between the study participants and their parents. The results also found experiences of CSA to be significant in symptoms of gender dysphoria with the perception of support and treatment received for the abuse being assessed as non-existent to minimal.

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