Affirmative and culturally competent psychological practice with trans* and non-binary persons: under what conditions?

Trans* and non-binary persons face several inequalities in physical and mental health compared to the cisgender population. Research shows several gaps in health services, e.g. the lack of individualised services and the absence of adequate preparation on the specificities of trans* and non-binary individuals' experiences. Furthermore, research highlights that trans* and non-binary individuals are often concerned about real or perceived stigma, transnegativity and heterosexist attitudes perpetrated by health professionals. This research aims to make a contribution in a field that is still little explored in the Italian context, with a focus on mental health services, by investigating the attitudes of 315 psychologists towards trans* and non-binary persons. Participants responded to an online questionnaire designed to investigate: knowledge of relevant issues relating to the identity and experiences of trans* and non-binary individuals; attitudes towards trans* and non-binary individuals (transnegativity); gender stereotypes (heteronormativity); clinical experiences with trans* and non-binary individuals; and level of comfort in working with them. Preliminary results show that psychologists report having little expertise on issues concerning trans* and non-binary individuals. Significant correlations also emerged between previous training on LGBTQ+ issues and: lower levels of heteronormativity; lower medicalized, binary, and essentialist beliefs; lower potentially microaggressive attitudes; greater confidence in working directly with trans* and non-binary persons, as well as with their parents, friends, and partners. The study highlights the fundamental role of training of mental health professionals as an important protective factor that makes it possible to depart from medicalised views, and fosters awareness of 'unconscious' personal resistances to overcome gender binarism, thus enabling 'safe' social contact with trans* and non-binary individuals and making it possible to implement affirmative and culturally competent psychological interventions