A Five-Year Follow-Up Study of Swedish Adults with Gender Identity Disorder

Abstract

This follow-up study evaluated the outcome of sex reassignment as viewed by both clinicians and patients, with an additional focus on the outcome based on sex and subgroups. Of a total of 60 patients approved for sex reassignment, 42 (25 male-to-female [MF] and 17 female-to-male [FM]) transsexuals completed a follow-up assessment after 5 or more years in the process or 2 or more years after completed sex reassignment surgery. Twenty-six (62%) patients had an early onset and 16 (38%) patients had a late onset; 29 (69%) patients had a homosexual sexual orientation and 13 (31%) patients had a non-homosexual sexual orientation (relative to biological sex). At index and follow-up, a semi-structured interview was conducted. At follow-up, 32 patients had completed sex reassignment surgery, five were still in process, and five-following their own decision-had abstained from genital surgery. No one regretted their reassignment. The clinicians rated the global outcome as favorable in 62% of the cases, compared to 95% according to the patients themselves, with no differences between the subgroups. Based on the follow-up interview, more than 90% were stable or improved as regards work situation, partner relations, and sex life, but 5-15% were dissatisfied with the hormonal treatment, results of surgery, total sex reassignment procedure, or their present general health. Most outcome measures were rated positive and substantially equal for MF and FM. Late-onset transsexuals differed from those with early onset in some respects: these were mainly MF (88 vs. 42%), older when applying for sex reassignment (42 vs. 28 years), and non-homosexually oriented (56 vs. 15%). In conclusion, almost all patients were satisfied with the sex reassignment; 86% were assessed by clinicians at follow-up as stable or improved in global functioning.

Predictors of Suicidal Ideation in a Statewide Sample of Transgender Individuals

“…Therefore, the main effect we found for transition status predicting lifetime SI must be interpreted in light of the significant interaction with discrimination experiences. In other words, this finding supports the notion that transitioning/gender affirmation, although associated with some reductions in gender dysphoria, 27 appears also to be associated with an increase in psychological distress-possibly because of the impact of gender identity-related discrimination experienceswhich aligns well with Meyer's minority stress model. Thus, the significant interaction term suggests that neither discrimination experiences nor transition status independently predicts SI; however, our ability to draw conclusions from this result is limited because of the cross-sectional nature of the design and continued difficulties in operationalizing transition status.…”

Non-suicidal self-injury and suicidality in trans people: A systematic review of the literature

“…Therefore the findings reported relate to NSSI behaviour pre-assessment and before the commencement of treatment and possibly transition. As there is strong evidence of improved psychological and social functioning following social gender role transition (Cohen et al, 1997;Johansson et al, 2010;Murad et al, 2010) the high rates of NSSI behaviour in this study may be a reflection of the specific population selected. A study using similar methodology but selecting a population of trans people attending clinical services and at different stages of the transitional and treatment process found that trans participants had a significantly higher rate of NSSI compared to a control sample (Davey et al, 2015).…”

Resilience in Individuals with Gender Dysphoria: Association with Perceived Social Support And Discrimination

“…Mdn ( Cinsiyet geçiş sürecinin uzun vadede ruhsal iyilik hali ve genel işlevselliğe olumlu etkilerinin olduğu izlem çalışmaların-da saptanmıştır (Johansson ve ark. 2010, Ruppin ve Pfafflin 2015.…”