I – STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Despite the growing awareness about the importance of mental health,

there is a significant lack of comprehensive studies focusing on the mental health

challenges faced by specific demographic groups. One such overlooked group is

the transgender youth, particularly those studying in senior high schools.

In the context of Basilan National High School, it has been observed that

transgender students may face unique mental health issues, often resulting from

societal misunderstanding, lack of acceptance, and inadequate support systems.

These challenges can lead to heightened levels of stress, anxiety, depression,

and other mental health disorders amongst these students.

The lack of understanding and research about their experiences creates a

barrier to the provision of effective mental health support for these students. This

research aims to bridge this gap by exploring the mental health experiences of

transgender youth studying at Basilan National High School, with the goal of

informing interventions that can help to improve their mental health outcomes.

II – HYPOTHESIS

In relation to the research problems stated, the researcher advanced the

hypothesis that there are no significant differences in the extent of breaking

barriers and understanding mental health experiences for transgender youth

when classified according to age, gender, and ethnicity.

 This suggests that the mental health experiences and the challenges faced

by transgender youth at Basilan National High School are universal and not

significantly influenced by these demographic factors. These hypothesis will be

tested through the course of the research.

III – SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study was delimited to the extent of breaking barriers:

understanding mental health experiences for transgender youth. The

respondents of the study were all the transgender students studying at Basilan

National High School.

This research holds significant value as it aims to shed light on the mental

health experiences of transgender youth in a specific educational setting. By

focusing on this demographic, the study can provide valuable insights into the

unique challenges they face, thereby informing the development of strategies and

interventions to address these issues.

The findings of this study could contribute to the existing body of

knowledge on transgender youth and mental health, particularly in the context of

educational institutions. It may also serve as a reference for future research on

similar topics.

Furthermore, the results of this study could potentially influence policy-

making in schools, leading to the implementation of more inclusive and

supportive environments for transgender students. This could ultimately

contribute to improved mental health outcome for this population.

 Target Respondents

The target respondents for this study are all transgender students studying

at Basilan National High School. This includes students who identify as male,

female, non-binary, or any other non- cisgender identity. The study aims to

include a diverse range of respondents in terms of age and ethnicity to ensure a

comprehensive understanding of the experiences of transgender youth in school.

IV – SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study focuses on understanding the mental health experiences of

transgender youth at Basilan National High School. It aims to explore the unique

challenges they face, how these challenges impact their mental health, and the

barriers to mental health support they may encounter. The study will analyse

these experiences based on age, gender, identity, and ethnicity, providing a

nuanced understanding of the mental health experiences of transgender youth.

The research will involve surveys, interviews, and potentially focus groups,

providing both quantitative and qualitative data.

DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

While the study aims to provide valuable insights into the mental health

experiences of transgender youth, there are certain delimitations to consider.

 Firstly, the study is geographically confined to Basilan National High

School. The experience of transgender youth in this school may not reflect the

experiences of those in other schools or geographical areas.

Secondly, the study only includes transgender youth who are willing and

comfortable to participate. This could potentially exclude some students who are

not yet open about their transgender identity or those who are uncomfortable

discussing their mental health experiences.

Thirdly, the study is limited by the nature of self- reported data. The

honesty and accuracy of the responses form the participants cannot be

independently verified.

Finally, the study is time-bound. It captures the experiences of transgender

youth at Basilan National High School at a specific point in time. Changes in

societal attitudes, school policies, or other relevant factors beyond this time

frame will not be reflected in the study.

V- DEFINITION OF TERMS

Transgender Youth - this term refers to individuals who are in their teenage years

and identify as a gender that differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Mental Health – this is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or

her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively

and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.

Breaking Barriers – in the context of the research, this refers to overcoming

obstacles or challenges that hinder understanding and support for transgender

youths mental health experiences.

Age - this refers to a number of years a person has lived, used here to categorize

participants into different age groups.

Gender Identity – this is a personal conception of oneself as male, female, both,

or neither. In this study, it refers to the gender with the transgender youth

identity.

Ethnicity – this refers to the fact or state of belonging to a social group that has a

common national or cultural tradition. In this study, it is used to categorize

participants based on their cultural backgrounds.

Delimitation – this refers to the boundaries set by the researcher to define the

scope of the study.