Family Experiences Surrounding Gender Identity Disclosure in TGNC Youth (A Scoping Review).

In recent years, the disclosure of transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals identity has emerged as a phenomenon receiving increasing attention from researchers, due to its impact on family dynamics and the mental health outcomes of this population. This research aims to map existing knowledge regarding the experiences of parents of TGNC youth during the gender identity disclosure process, between 2018 and 2024. To conduct this research, the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews and the PRISMA guidelines were used. Five major themes emerged from this process, characterizing the experiences of families with TGNC youth during the coming out process: (1) a journey from shock to acceptance; (2) mourning a living child; (3) coping to be able to breathe again; (4) coming out and learning about and (5) outside the closet, into to the world. Similar to TGNC youth, parents tend to experience a transition marked by intense and ambivalent emotions, feelings of ambiguous loss, social pressure to maintain cisnormative standards, and significant concern for their children's safety, mental health, and future. This review broadens the understanding of the phenomenon under analysis, creating opportunities for mental health professionals, including nurses, to intervene with TGNC families.