Cipolletta, Sabrina, Riccardo Votadoro, and Elena Faccio. "Online support for transgender people: an analysis of forums and social networks." Health & social care in the community 25.5 (2017): 1542-1551.

Transgender individuals often face numerous personal and social challenges that significantly impact their well-being. The Internet frequently serves as a crucial resource for support. This study aims to understand how transgender people give and receive help online. Between 2013 and 2015, 122 online community conversations from Italian forums and Facebook groups involving transgender individuals were collected, and 16 online interviews with community users were conducted. Using NVivo10 software for qualitative content analysis, the study identified key categories: motivations for joining online communities, forms of online help, differences between online and offline interactions, status, conflicts, and professional help. Results show that transgender individuals often join online communities seeking help, which can be provided by peers with similar experiences and by professionals acting as moderators. The study highlights that online communities offer a platform for identity exploration, comparison with others, and sharing personal experiences. However, these communities can expose users to invalidation and transphobic messages. Administrators and moderators play a critical role in ensuring user safety and recommending professional help when necessary. The findings confirm that online platforms can offer significant benefits for transgender individuals, such as minimizing distance barriers, enhancing financial convenience, and promoting disinhibition.