Abstract
Objective: To explore the healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms utilized by the by-birth hermaphrodites to cope with the stressful conditions.
Methodology: Subjects were selected based on four major domains of spiritual, avoidance, emotional and problem focused coping strategies. A total 14 participants sectioning into two groups of group leader and followers were included. Data were collected by semi structured interviews. Method of interpretative phenomenological analysis was used for data analysis.
Results: Positive and negative Spiritual Coping were main domains of spiritual coping, further sanctioned into eight and four subthemes, respectively. Avoidance coping subdivided into avoidance at personal level and avoidance at behavioral level, seven and six subthemes were elicited from each sub domain. In Emotion focused strategy, themes were broadly subcategorized into positive and negative emotions, three and six subthemes were enlisted, respectively. Six sub themes were emerged in category of Problem focused strategies.
Conclusion: Overall, hermaphrodite community used the avoidance coping mechanisms at large to relieve the stress with following of Spiritual, Emotion and Problem-solving coping mechanisms.

Key words: Hermaphrodites, coping mechanisms, interpretative phenomenological analysis.