Where Can I Be Me? The Role of Social Support in Authentic Identity Expression for TNB Employees

Despite calls to ‘bring your whole self to work’ and research suggesting the benefits of displaying authenticity, there has been limited research showing that displays of authenticity at work are beneficial for minoritized employees, including trans and non-binary (TNB) individuals. The present study investigates the outcomes of authenticity for TNB employees through social support as well as perceived discrimination using experience sampling methodology (ESM). Results show that authenticity for TNB individuals is only related to engagement through the mediating pathway of social support. This study provides a critical and novel theoretical contribution on the daily fluctuations in authentic expression, challenging prevailing assumptions around authenticity. Findings have important implications for theory and practice, particularly around designing DEI initiatives, with the goal of reducing inequities and improving the work experience for TNB employees.

Author

• Salvas, Abbey

Language

• English

Keyword

• authenticity
• transgender
• gender identity
• social support
• work engagement

Date created

• 2024

Type of Work

• Dissertation

License

• All rights reserved

Rights statement

• In Copyright

GW Unit

• Organizational Sciences

Degree

• Ph.D.

Advisor

• Bisbey, Tiffany

Committee Member(s)

• Peng, Yisheng
• Sawyer, Katina

Persistent URL

•  https://scholarspace.library.gwu.edu/etd/4m90dw186