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Transgressing workplace norms: Understanding the conceptualization and communication of trans identity in the workplace
Baumler, Rebecca
Baumler, Rebecca
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Abstract
Using Tracy and Trethewey's (2005) metaphor of the crystallized self, this project explores the influences of identity communication in and outside the workplace on work and life satisfaction. Using survey design, this study examined (1) how trans individuals communicate their trans identity at and outside work, (2) the relationship between identity communication at work and job satisfaction and life satisfaction, and (3) the relationship between identity communication outside work and satisfaction with job satisfaction and life satisfaction.To analyze how trans folks communicate their identity in work and nonwork contexts and its relationship with job and life satisfaction, survey data was collected from 206 trans individuals who were currently employed or employed within the last two years at the time of the survey. The crystallized self was operationalized into measures focusing on communication about trans identity at and outside work, specifically outness and authenticity. The outness measures were explicit outness, implicit outness, and covering. Authenticity was divided into three constructs of authentic living, self-alienation, and accepting external influence. These measures were used to predict both job satisfaction and life satisfaction. This study also examines two covariates: perceptions of workplace supportiveness and work-life segmentation. The study found that job satisfaction was positively related to authenticity and supportiveness and negatively related to covering and work-life segmentation preferences. Life satisfaction was positively related with authenticity, and negatively related to covering, passing, and work-life segmentation preferences. The findings indicate that being able to engage in a more authentic version of self through openness about identity and having workplace support is crucial to job and life satisfaction.
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Date
2023-05-31
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University of Kansas
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Keywords
Communication, crystallized self, identity communication and performance, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, passing, trans