The Relationship Between Social Support and Body Image with Psychological Well-Being in Transgender Individuals: The Mediating Role of Coping Strategies

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Master Degree of Clinical Psychology, Department of Psychology, Literature and Humanities Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Literature and Humanities Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

3 Assistant Professor of Health Psychology, Department of Psychology, Literature and Humanities Faculty, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

10.48308/apsy.2026.241115.1884

Abstract

Aim: Individuals with gender identity disorder face various social and psychological problems after gender reassignment. Therefore, this study investigated the causal relationship between social support and body image with psychological well-being and life satisfaction, mediated by coping strategies of these individuals.
Method: This descriptive-correlational study used structural equation modeling. Participants were 301 individuals with gender identity disorder who had undergone gender reassignment, selected via purposive sampling. The short form of Ryff’s Psychological Well-being Questionnaire, the Diener et al. Life Satisfaction Questionnaire, the Billings and Moos Coping Strategies Questionnaire, the Littleton Body Image Questionnaire, and the Zimet Social Support Questionnaire were used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS and Mplus software.
Results: Results showed that social support had a significant positive effect on psychological well-being (P<0/001) and life satisfaction (P<0/001). Problem-focused (P<0/001) and emotion-focused (P<0/01) coping strategies mediated the relationship between social support and psychological well-being. Body image had a significant negative effect on life satisfaction (P<0/001) and psychological well-being (P<0/001). Emotion-focused coping strategies also mediated the relationship between body image fear and psychological well-being (P<0/05).
Conclusion: Body image (through emotion-focused coping) and social support (through problem-focused coping) can influence the psychological well-being and life satisfaction. Therefore, focusing on these factors is essential.

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Main Subjects

References

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