Crystallized Trans Identity: How Authenticity and Identity Communication Affect Job and Life Satisfaction

This study analyzes survey data from 206 trans workers to test the premises of crystallized self theory by exploring how perceived authenticity and identity communication (i.e., explicit outness, implicit outness, and covering) relate to job and life satisfaction. Perceived authenticity was positively related to explicit outness (overt communication sharing trans identity) and implicit outness (advocacy for trans issues), and negatively to covering (communication distancing from trans identity). Further, in the structural equation model, explicit outness was positively related to job and life satisfaction, covering was negatively related to job satisfaction, and implicit outness had a negative relationship with life satisfaction. Finally, indirect effects between perceived authenticity and life satisfaction via explicit outness and perceived authenticity and job satisfaction via covering reveal the nuance of crystallization. Findings support and reveal tension in the crystallized self, offer practical implications and demonstrate the importance of workplaces better supporting trans individuals.