Family functioning, coming out, and chosen names: exploring family experiences and well-being in nonbinary individuals

Nonbinary people have only recently gained visibility within psychological research. Previous studies indicate that family relationships play a crucial role in the well-being of transgender and nonbinary (TNB) youth. However, nonbinary adolescents often receive less family support due to society’s limited understanding and acceptance of nonbinary identities. A key developmental event during the gender affirmation process is coming out, which involves the entire family system and is closely linked to individual well-being, depending on relatives’ reactions. Another central aspect of gender affirmation is the chosen name, which reflects one’s gender identity; its use by family members has been shown to correlate with higher psychological well-being. The first study of this dissertation explored the family context of nonbinary individuals through a systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on perceived family support. Specifically, it examined the literature on family support, family reactions, disclosure, episodes of violence and victimization, and the impact of family functioning on well-being. The second study examined how family members respond to nonbinary individuals’ coming out, employing a qualitative methodology that involved semi-structured interviews with nonbinary participants. Thematic analysis identified three overarching themes, subdivided into several subthemes: family reactions, effects on relationships, and non-disclosure. The third study examined parents’ perspectives on the names they chose for their children (trans people vs. nonbinary individuals) through semi-structured interviews, which were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four main themes emerged: family use of the chosen name, characteristics of the chosen name, selection process, and children’s lived experiences. Overall, this dissertation provides a nuanced understanding of family functioning among nonbinary individuals, highlighting how families respond to and engage with key moments in the gender affirmation process. Findings reveal both affirming behaviors, such as the consistent use of the chosen name, and experiences of rejection or low support. The results also underscore families’ limited knowledge about nonconforming gender identity, as evident in their reactions to coming out and the use of the chosen name. Family dynamics were found to affect nonbinary individuals’ well-being, with siblings significantly and, in some cases, grandparents emerging as meaningful sources of support and affirmation. Across the three studies, the family emerged as both a potential source of risk and a critical context of protection for nonbinary individuals. The results emphasize that gender identity formation unfolds through relational processes—such as coming out and name affirmation—that are deeply embedded in family dynamics. These findings contribute to developmental psychology by underscoring the family’s central role in fostering resilience, self-esteem, and well-being throughout the life span.