A Thematic Analysis of Detransitioners’ Experience and Development

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the experience of detransitioners. Detransitioners are individuals who have identified as transgender, surgically and/or medically transitioned and then have detransitioned, reconciling with their biological sex. For this study 5 interviews were conducted over zoom. The participants were 5 females, aged 20 and 21. There are four main themes that emerged around the desire to transition; mental health, fear around puberty and the growing realization of sexuality and how their female body relates to the world, and peer groups. There were two distinct themes around the decision to detransition which are mental health and a change in environment. The last theme that emerged was around their concept of gender identity. Based on the interviews, identifying as transgender for these young women was masking deeper underlying issues, such as body image, sexuality, poor mental health, highlighting the need for robust psychotherapeutic care.