Life Satisfaction and Gender Congruence in Transgender Individuals: A Role for Occupational Therapy.

Societal restrictions impact transgender individuals' ability to engage in occupations that match their internal gender identity preventing gender affirmation. The aim was to explore transgender individuals' perceived levels of gender congruence and life satisfaction. A cross-sectional survey with a nonprobability sample of transgender adults was used to provide a preliminary exploration of transgender individuals' gender congruence and life satisfaction using the Gender Congruence and Life Satisfaction and World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. When comparing the means of the physical, psychological, social, and environmental domains to the population norm, the respondents demonstrated statistically lower scores in all four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF. In both the WHOQOL-BREF and GCLS, the mean score in psychological health and life satisfaction were the lowest. Transgender individuals prioritize self-care activities, such as hairstyling, and body image to affirm internal gender identity. Occupational therapy can assist with supporting gender transition in several occupational contexts.

Life satisfaction and gender congruence in transgender individuals: A role for occupational therapy.Why was the study done? Transgender persons can experience discrimination because they do not adhere to societal gender norms. Consequently, they report high levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. They are often unable to engage in activities that match their internal identity perpetuating feelings of isolation and loneliness. The transgender community struggles with injustices that negatively affect their life satisfaction and gender congruence, which is the feeling that one's body and life match their gender identity. What did the researchers do? The research team implemented two surveys to explore gender congruence, affirmation, and life satisfaction in transgender individuals. The surveys were used to better understand how participants feel regarding body image, psychological health, environmental safety, social health, physical health, and life satisfaction. What did the researchers find? A majority of participants reported poor psychological functioning, life satisfaction, and body image. Contributory factors included gender incongruence secondary to physical characteristics and gender perception based on physical appearance. Participants reported high levels of anxiety and depressed mood, which negatively impacted personal well-being. What do the findings mean? This study identified important areas that can be focused on to improve the overall psychological functioning, personal well-being, and life satisfaction of transgender individuals. Transgender individuals place significant importance on self-care activities, leisure and social activities, and body image through validation of gender authenticity. This information substantiates the use of occupational therapy services to facilitate gender congruence and affirmation through engagement in activities that match their internal gender identity. Occupational therapy intervention may assist with occupational transition thereby improving life satisfaction and personal well-being.

The Association of Tube Weaning and Oral Skill Development in Infants With Tube Dependency: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was the first of its kind by assessing oral skills development during and after applying the "Graz Model" of tube weaning. METHODS: This prospective case series study included data of 67 (35 females, 32 males, treated from March 2018 to April 2019) tube dependent children, who participated in the effective "Graz Model" of tube weaning. Parents filled out the standardized Pediatric Assessment Scale for Severe Feeding Problems (PASSFP) prior to and immediately after completion of the program. Paired sample t tests were conducted to examine pre-to-post changes in the children's oral skills. RESULTS: The study showed that oral skills increased significantly during tube weaning PASSFP score of 24.76 (standard deviation, SD = 12.38) prior to versus 47.97 (SD = 6.98) after completion of the program. Furthermore, significant changes in their sensory and tactile perception and in their general eating behavior were observed. Children also showed reduced oral aversion symptoms and food pocketing, could enjoy their meals, and increased their food repertoire. Mealtime duration could be decreased, and parents were less anxious about their infants' intake and less frustrated because of their children's eating behavior. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated for the first time that tube dependent children can improve their oral skills significantly during and after their participation in the child-led approach of the "Graz model" of tube weaning.

Enteral feeding and its impact on family mealtime routines for caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: A mixed method study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Enteral feedings are part of the daily mealtime experience for many caregivers of children with cerebral palsy. The scope of occupational therapy practice incorporates multiple aspects of the enteral feeding process. Yet, the research in this area is very limited. The purpose of this study was to provide practitioners with better understanding of the impact enteral feedings of children with cerebral palsy have on family mealtime routines. METHODS: Using a complimentary mixed method approach, data were obtained through an online survey containing the Satisfaction Questionnaire with Gastrostomy Feeding (SAGA-8) and supplementary questions, and qualitative semi-structured phone interviews. Participants were caregivers of children with cerebral palsy who receive their primary nutrition through a gastrostomy tube. RESULTS: This study's cohort consisted of n = 36, SAGA-8, and n = 6 in-depth interviews. The mean age of children of was 9.4 (6.94 SD) with a mean age of 3.4 (5.35 SD) when enteral feeding was introduced. While families' overall situations positively changed after the gastronomy tube placement, environmental barriers and length of feeding time continued to present a challenge to mealtime routines. The mixed methods data analysis revealed that successful adjustment to having a child with a gastronomy tube and problem solving are closely linked and a consistent part of mealtime experience. CONCLUSION: Findings highlighted the necessity of comprehensive support from health professionals in achieving positive mealtime experience. Themes in this study indicated that caregivers would benefit from a professional with knowledge in the development and integration of rituals and routines to support positive outcomes.