A Study on Changes in Life Satisfaction among Transsexuals in Rasht

Abstract

The phenomenon of sex change through surgery and life satisfaction is category associated with a change of identity and emotion of satisfaction identity. The purpose of the study is to identify changes in life satisfaction of transgendered people in the city of Rasht. The research method is an ethnographic study. The study population included all transgendered people in Rasht between the years 2008-2012 that have been undergoing the sex changes. All of the cases are held in the center for crisis management and based on the statistical numbers, there are 29 person in Rasht city. Five individuals were selected as the statistical sample. Research data were collected through surveys records documenting conducted before the operation and use of in-depth interviews (semi-structured interviews) after gender reassignment surgery. After classifying the data into categories and highlighting words, we investigated the factors affecting the formation of each category and then described the logical structure having the integration between data and determining its implications for the interpretation of data obtained through the interplay between the various stages of the research. Finally, the data concluded by using inductive analysis. Research findings indicate that the sex-changing messages are: Sense of community, a sense of a better life, a sense of freedom, a sense of value /importance, feeling alone, feeling a lack of confidence /no confidence, a sense of job insecurity, and a sense of belonging and differentiation. The findings showed that family and social support and financial resources affects on life satisfaction among transsexuals.