The interrelations between resilience, distress, and transphobia among transgender individuals in Israel

PurposeThe objective of this research was to explore a proposed moderation model that suggests the presence of internalized transphobia as a factor that moderates the relationship between internal and external resilience resources (including personal resilience and coping strategies utilized during distress, and social and family support) on the one side, and psychological distress on the other. Method: Information was gathered from a sample of 119 Israeli adults who self-identified as transgender via an online survey. We modified existing scales to assess the variables of interest. Pearson correlations, t-tests, multiple linear hierarchical regression, and a simple slopes analysis were applied to test our hypotheses. Results: The findings supported the argument that a lack of internal and external resilience resources is associated with higher levels of psychological distress experienced by transgender individuals. The moderation model showed that internalized transphobia moderated the correlation between social support and reported levels of psychological distress, as well as between the use of coping strategies and reported levels of distress. However, internalized transphobia did not moderate the relationship between personal resilience and psychological distress. Conclusions: It is imperative to prioritize raising awareness and providing support to this unique population, considering the associations observed between the study variables. Behavioral interventions are necessary to enhance awareness among policymakers in the domains of education, therapy, and health. In adition, given that young Israelis are obligated to join the army at 18, it becomes even more crucial to implement effective interventions that actively address and combat any discriminatory practices against sexual minorities within the Israeli military. Promoting inclusivity and equity within the armed forces is of utmost importance to ensure fair and respectful treatment of all individuals.