Mental Health of Indian Transgender Individuals: A Meta-Ethnography

Early Interv Psychiatry. 2025 May;19(5):e70048. doi: 10.1111/eip.70048.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Gender, as a social determinant of health, places transgender (TG) individuals at increased risk for mental health issues. This review aimed to explore the mental health challenges faced by Indian transgender individuals and the factors contributing to these challenges through an interpretative synthesis of existing qualitative research.

METHODS: A meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesise qualitative research on the mental health of transgender individuals in India. Ten studies were systematically identified, reviewed and analysed using Noblit and Hare’s method (1988) of meta-ethnography.

RESULTS: Four major themes emerged from the synthesis: healthcare barriers, predisposing factors to psychological distress, mental health issues, and coping strategies. Within healthcare barriers, three sub-themes were identified: stigma and discrimination within the healthcare system, limited life resources for accessing services, and healthcare-system barriers. Predisposing factors emerged at micro (individual and familial), meso (community and organisational) and macro (societal and legal) levels, reflecting varied sources of distress. Mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, suicidality and substance use were reported.

CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, a model is developed to illustrate the interconnected factors affecting the mental health of Indian transgender individuals. The findings have important implications for improving healthcare, policy and mental health practices to better support transgender individuals.

PMID:40313071 | DOI:10.1111/eip.70048