Understanding Happiness and Meaning of Life from Perspective of a Transgender: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Transgender beings are most miserable and neglected regarding violation of their rights, physical and mental health. Current study was conducted to explore the happiness and meaning of life among transgender. The study was based on a thematic approach and themes were explored to find out the happiness and meaning of life for them. Sample was recruited through snowball sampling technique from the city of Rawalpindi. It consisted of (N=12) who were involved in begging within age range of (27-50 years). Seven themes were generated through thematic analysis including, 1) Low level of happiness among transgender, 2) Adverse social life is related to low happiness, 3) Adverse impact on psychological health, 4) Ambiguous meaning of life, 5) Family difficulties, 6) Financial crises are related with ambiguous meaning of life and 7) Future desires. Overall, low level of happiness is related with such main factors as; lack of social support, adverse psychological impact and endless social rejection. Ambiguous meaning of life is related to factors such as dissatisfaction in life, financial crises and family difficulties. Future desires include religious activities, employment and social acceptance which are related to both happiness and meaningful life. Thus, these issues need be addressed urgently to overcome adverse well-being of transgender.