Perceived Stress, Loneliness, and Quality of Life Among Transgender Individuals in South India: A Cross-Sectional Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ycm36v96Keywords:
Transgender health; Perceived stress; Loneliness; Quality of life; Urban South India; Mental health disparitiesAbstract
Background
Transgender individuals face widespread stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion, contributing to elevated levels of psychological stress, loneliness, and reduced quality of life (QOL). These challenges are particularly pronounced in South India, where culturally tailored data on the psychosocial well-being of transgender populations remain limited. Understanding the interplay between stress, loneliness, and QOL is essential to inform inclusive health interventions.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 self-identified transgender individuals aged 18–45 years residing in urban South India. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling with the support of community leaders and NGOs. Data were collected using validated instruments: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3), and WHOQOL-BREF. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0 to examine the relationships between perceived stress, loneliness, and QOL across physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains.
Conclusion
A high prevalence of perceived stress was observed, with 76% of participants reporting moderate stress and 24% high stress. Perceived stress and loneliness were significantly and negatively correlated with overall QOL (r = -0.643 and r = -0.421, respectively; p < 0.001). Domain-specific correlations showed that stress had the strongest negative association with social relationships (r = -0.748), while loneliness was most strongly linked to poorer mental health (r = -0.684). These findings highlight the urgent need for gender-affirmative mental health services, community-based support systems, and inclusive public health policies to improve the psychosocial well-being of transgender populations in South India.
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