Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41891064›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of transgender health2026

Understanding sustainable return to work during gender transition, a (mixed method) diary-based single-case study of a transgender woman: Spiegel im spiegel.

Joy Van de Cauter, Joz Motmans, Dominique Van de Velde, Lutgart Braeckman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of transgender health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Joy Van de CauterDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Unit of Occupational and Insurance Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9684-3197
Joz MotmansCenter for Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7643-4153
Dominique Van de VeldeDepartment of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6982-1075
Lutgart BraeckmanDepartment of Public Health and Primary Care, Unit of Occupational and Insurance Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6016-8134

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Psychosocial obstacles have been recognized as a significant factor in the return to work (RTW) for cisgender individuals with various health issues. RTW and sustained work participation of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people during socio-medical transition have been sparsely investigated. Transgender women face multifaceted challenges in the workplace, in life, in social relations, and regarding their gender-affirming healthcare. Methods: To better understand sustainable RTW during socio-medical transition, we aimed to analyze the evolution of emotional-, psychosocial-, and RTW measures and chronological experiences during twelve months following (genital) gender-affirming surgery. Data from a mixed-method diary-based critical case study of a trans woman undergoing socio-medical transition was analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Four themes were integrated with longitudinal quantitative results of positive and negative affect, gender-affirmation, and work rehabilitation measures. Results show a fluctuating course of emotions, expectations, and confronting reality (and workability), which gravely impacted self-esteem and overcompensation behaviors. They show social isolation in an uphill fight against stereotypes and power dynamics in information flow whilst insecurely navigating the cisnormative work environment and healthcare. RTW sustainability seems to adhere firmly to gender affirmation, gender comfort, and individualized, dynamic, holistic support from several stakeholders. By integrating longitudinal quantitative and qualitative data, a patterned meaning analysis of lived experiences and reflections was found. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the fluctuating dynamics of social relations and gender (dis)comfort at work and helps us better understand psychosocial obstacles in sustainable (return to) work and creating a person-centered environment sensitive to these challenges. Occupational health professionals should thus educate themselves on gender-inclusive care, address barriers to access, and empower TGD workers in a tailored manner while involving the immediate work environment and striving for diversity and inclusion among all workers.

Indexed as

Affectdiaryoccupational healthSDG 3: Good health and well-beingSDG 5: Gender equalitySDG 8: Decent work and economic growthtransgender and gender diverse peoplework retention

Identifiers

PMID41891064
PMCPMC13015036

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.