How Partners Can Back Up Trans and Nonbinary Loved Ones

Partners play a huge role in the lives of trans and nonbinary (TNB) people. They offer support and understanding that can make a big difference. But how can we measure this support? A recent study set out to create a tool to do just that. The study started with a big question: What exactly does supportive behavior look like in romantic relationships? To find out, researchers talked to TNB young adults. They used these conversations to create a list of supportive actions. Then, they tested this list with a larger group of TNB people. The goal was to identify different types of support. The study found five key areas: helping with identity exploration, validating identity, celebrating identity, being an ally, and understanding. These areas were used to create a scale called the Transgender/Nonbinary Identity Support from Partners Scale (TISPS).The TISPS was tested again with a different group of TNB young adults. This time, the focus was on how reliable and valid the scale was. The results showed that the TISPS is a solid tool. It can measure overall support and the five subtypes. But why does this matter? Well, understanding support in relationships can help improve mental health. The TISPS can be used in therapy and community work. It can also guide future research on how social support affects TNB mental health. However, it's important to note that this study focused on young adults. More research is needed to see if the findings apply to all TNB people.