Transgender stigma: A critical scoping review of definitions, domains, and measures used in empirical research

Rationale: A growing body of transgender (trans) health research has explored the relationship between stigma and health; yet, studies have conceptualized and operationalized anti-trans stigma in multiple ways. Objective: This scoping review aims to critically analyze quantitative measures of anti-trans stigma in the U.S. using a socioecological framework. Method: We organized and appraised measures from 126 included articles according to socioecological level: structural, interpersonal, or individual. Results: Of the identified articles, 36 measured anti-trans stigma at the structural level (i.e., institutional structures and policies), 102 measured anti-trans at the interpersonal level (i.e., community interactions), and 44 measured anti-trans stigma at the individual level (i.e., internalized or anticipated stigma). Definitions of antitrans stigma varied substantially across articles. Most measures were adapted from measures developed for other populations (i.e., sexual minorities) and were not previously validated for trans samples. Conclusions: Studies analyzing anti-trans stigma should concretely define anti-trans stigma. There is a need to develop measures of anti-trans stigma at all socioecological levels informed by the lived experiences of trans people.