1 - (SYM 64) Positive Body Image Among Trans and Nonbinary Adults: Gender Identity Pride as a Correlate of Body Appreciation and Intuitive Eating

Introduction: Past research has primarily focused on minority stressors as predictors of negative body image disparities among trans and nonbinary (TNB) populations compared to their cisgender peers. This limited focus may imply an inability for TNB people to experience a sense of positive body image (e.g., body appreciation) and intuitive eating (i.e., an approach focused on rejecting diet culture and tuning into one’s own body signals related to hunger), as well as disregard resilient factors, such as the role of TNB identity pride. To address this gap in the literature, the present study examined relationships among TNB identity pride, body appreciation, and intuitive eating. 



Methods: In an online recruited sample (N=130; M_age =24.5), participants comprised a diverse group of TNB adults (33.8% transmen, 25.4% transwomen, 40.8% nonbinary) who were primarily White, Non-Hispanic/Latinx (53.8%) and reported a sexual minority identity (96.9%). Participants completed an online survey, including measures of minority stress (e.g., rejection, non-affirmation, internalized transphobia) and resilience (e.g., pride), body appreciation, and intuitive eating. Multiple regressions were conducted to examine the role of TNB identity pride above-and-beyond relevant demographics (e.g., gender identity, age) and cissexist minority stressors.



Results: Greater TNB identity pride was significantly associated with both greater body appreciation (b = 0.06, 95% CI [0.04, 0.08]) and intuitive eating (b = 0.01, 95% CI [0.001, 0.03]). Pride remained significant even when controlling for relevant demographics and minority stressors. Pride also accounted for an additional 16% and 3% of variance in the models with body appreciation and intuitive eating, respectively. Along with pride, minority stressors of rejection and non-affirmation were also significant correlates.



Conclusions: TNB identity pride represents a robust correlate of body appreciation and intuitive eating. Findings also highlight the relevance of positive body image among TNB individuals. Importantly, results do not overlook or dismiss experiences of body-related dysphoria experienced by some members of the TNB community; instead, results challenge the assumption that TNB persons are incapable of experiencing a sense of appreciation for their bodies. Future research is needed to determine the clinical relevance of addressing pride among TNB clients, specifically those seeking treatment related to body image or eating-related concerns.