INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL CONTAGION ON GENDER DYSPHORIA AMONGST ADOLESCENTS: IMPLICATIONS FOR COUNSELLING
Keywords:
Gender dysphoria, social contagion, adolescent psychology, identity formation, counselling interventions, social influence, gender identity explorationAbstract
The study explores the conceptual underpinnings of social contagion and their link to gender dysphoria in adolescents, as well as the role of counseling in this process. By systematically reviewing existing literature, the study identifies that gender social contagion is connected to mechanisms like social influence, imitation, and group polarization. Conformity is a key psychological mechanism, as adolescents, in their developmental stage of heightened social sensitivity, are particularly susceptible to pressures from peers and social media. This makes them highly vulnerable to social influences, with digital media and peer networks acting as pivotal agents in the social contagion of gender identity. Given this vulnerability, the study highlights the need for professional counselors to adopt a holistic assessment approach that considers the adolescent's background and ethical procedures. The review also revealed a critical research gap: most existing studies originate from Western, predominantly white, and urban contexts, with very little research available from diverse cultural and geographical landscapes, especially in African contexts. The study recommends future research should use culturally based, mixed-methods longitudinal studies to track gender identity development across various social and cultural contexts.
DOI: https://doie.org/10.10318/SER.2025751560
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