A Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Girls with Gender Dysphoria in Education: Navigating Educational Settings and Interactive Processes

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Ph.D. Student in Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht Branch, Shiraz, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology, Department of Psychology, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran

3 Professor of Educational Psychology, Department of Psychology, Shiraz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Shiraz, Iran

10.48310/itt.2025.19200.1107

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Gender dysphoria refers to the persistent incongruence between an individual's experienced gender identity and their assigned sex. Within the context of cultural unawareness, gender-biased educational structures, and deficiencies in teachers' professional competency models, this phenomenon presents profound challenges for affected individuals. Previous research indicates that Iran's educational system lacks supportive frameworks for students with gender dysphoria. Methods: This qualitative study employed a descriptive phenomenological strategy. Twenty-one 17- to 18-year-old female students with gender dysphoria residing in Shiraz were selected via purposive sampling based on theoretical saturation criteria, recruited from clinics specializing in gender-related healthcare. Data were collected over six months using semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method for qualitative content analysis. Findings: Results revealed five main themes and 12 sub-themes: First, teachers’ gender knowledge gap; Second, inadequate skills in managing identity conflicts; Third, schools’ gender-biased policies; Fourth, absence of institutional support; and Fifth, students’ adaptive strategies. .Conclusion: The results indicate that the psychological and academic harms experienced by students with gender dysphoria intensify due to the confluence of teachers' professional competency deficiencies and structurally rigid educational systems; these results underscore the imperative to redefine pedagogical competencies, revise supportive protocols in schools, and reform teacher training institutions.

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