Meaning in life buffers mental health risks in South Indian transgender (Hijra) women

Title

Meaning in life buffers mental health risks in South Indian transgender (Hijra) women

Creator

PP, Asha; Arur, Aditi

Description

Purpose This study aims to investigate the mediating role of meaning in life (MIL) in the relationships among depression, anxiety, stress (DAS) and quality of life (QOL) among transgender (Hijra) women in South India. The concept of QOL extends beyond the absence of negative mental states such as DAS; it includes overall mental health, well-being and personal evaluations of life circumstances. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a sample survey of 302 transgender women selected via convenience sampling from five states in South India. The MIL scale, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and QOL tools were culturally validated and tested, with reliability confirmed through a pilot study (n = 15). Correlation, regression and mediation analyses were conducted to explore the relationships. Findings A strong positive correlation between MIL and QOL was found. The DAS score has a significant negative correlation with QOL. The Presence of Meaning (PoM) subscale emerged as a crucial predictor for overall QOL, whereas the Search for Meaning (SoM) subscale showed predictive value for psychological health. MIL negatively mediates the relationship between DAS, and QOL, suggesting that it buffers mental health risks. Originality/value These findings reinforce the notion that meaning-making is an active life-affirming process, particularly for transgender women navigating adversity. The POM enriches the QOL and acts as a buffer against existential despair. This highlights the need for interventions that foster meaning-making as a pathway to resilience, emphasizing agency, authenticity and purpose pursuit in the face of existential anxiety. 2025 Emerald Publishing Limited

Source

Mental Health and Social Inclusion;Volume;30;Issue;1;pp.57-71

Date

01-01-2026

Publisher

Emerald Publishing

Subject

Existentialism; Meaning in life (MIL); Mediation; Mental health; Quality of life (QOL); Transgender

Coverage

PP A., Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India; Arur A., Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bangalore, India

Rights

Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library

Relation

ISSN: 20428316;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1108/MHSI-02-2025-0058

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105005107018?origin=resultslist