Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Gender Dysphoria Cases at a University Hospital in the Black Sea Region
Abstract
Objectives: Gender dysphoria is a condition defined by distress resulting from the incompatibility between an individual's physical sex and their gender identity, accompanied by a desire to belong to the opposite sex. In this study, we aimed to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria and followed up at a university hospital in the Black Sea Region, as well as to identify differences between trans women and trans men in terms of these characteristics.
Method: This study included 27 patients diagnosed with gender dysphoria and followed up at the Karadeniz Technical University Faculty of Medicine Psychiatry outpatient clinic between 2015 and 2021. Sociodemographic data and clinical characteristics of the patients with gender dysphoria were analyzed.
Results: It was observed that a higher proportion of trans men (77.8%) sought treatment for gender dysphoria compared to trans women (22.2%). An additional psychiatric illness, mainly depression and anxiety, was present in 55.6% of cases. Statistically significant differences were found in the suicidal ideation during follow-up and past trauma between trans women and trans men. Family support and peers was found to be greater in trans men than in trans women, trans men were more likely to be approved by colleagues at a statistically significant level.
Discussion and Conclusion: This study revealed that trans women and trans men experience different mental health risks, such as social acceptance, family support, suicide, and trauma history, with trans men showing an advantage over trans women.
References
- 1. Reiner WG. Gender identity and sex assignment: a reappraisal for the 21st century. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002;511:175-89.
- 2. Dhejne C, Van Vlerken R, Heylens G, Arcelus J. Mental health and gender dysphoria: A review of the literature. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2016;28(1):44-57.
- 3. Özata Yıldızhan B, Yüksel Ş, Avayu M, Noyan H, Yıldızhan E. Effects of Gender Reassignment on Quality of Life and Mental Health in People with Gender Dysphoria. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2018; 29(1):11-21.
- 4. Shechner T. Gender identity disorder: a literature review from a developmental perspective. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2010;47(2):132-8.
- 5. Fisk NM. Editorial: Gender dysphoria syndrome--the conceptualization that liberalizes indications for total gender reorientation and implies a broadly based multi-dimensional rehabilitative regimen. West J Med. 1974;120(5):386-91.
- 6. Başar K, Öz G. Resilience in Individuals with Gender Dysphoria: Association with Perceived Social Support and Discrimination. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2016;27(4):225-34.
- 7. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
- 8. Cesur E, Yüksel Ş, Başar K, Kaptan S. Clinical Follow-up of Two Adolescents Diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2022; 33(3): 214-219.
- 9. Richards C, Bouman WP, Seal L, Barker MJ, Nieder TO, T'Sjoen G. Non-binary or genderqueer genders. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2016;28(1):95-102.
- 10. Clements-Nolle K, Marx R, Guzman R, Katz M. HIV prevalence, risk behaviors, health care use, and mental health status of transgender persons: implications for public health intervention. Am J Public Health. 2001;91(6):915-21.
- 11. Nuttbrock L, Hwahng S, Bockting W, Rosenblum A, Mason M, Macri M, et al. Psychiatric impact of gender-related abuse across the life course of male-to-female transgender persons. J Sex Res. 2010;47(1):12-23.
- 12. Vujovic S, Popovic S, Sbutega-Milosevic G, Djordjevic M, Gooren L. Transsexualism in Serbia: a twenty-year follow-up study. J Sex Med. 2009;6(4):1018-23.
- 13. Coleman E, Bockting W, Botzer M, Cohen-Kettenis P, DeCuypere G, Feldman J, vd. Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People Version 7. International Journal of Transgenderism. 2012;13(4):165-232.
- 14. Godlewski J. Transsexualism and anatomic sex ratio reversal in Poland. Arch Sex Behav. 1988;17(6):547-8.
- 15. Reed B. Gender Variance in the UK: Prevalence, incidence, growth and Geographic Distribution. Gender Identity Research and Education Society, 2009.
- 16. Cheung AS, Ooi O, Leemaqz S, Cundill P, Silberstein N, Bretherton I, et al. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of transgender adults in Australia. Transgend Health. 2018;3(1):229-38.
- 17. Turan Ş, Aksoy Poyraz C, İnce E, Sakallı Kani A, Emül HM, Duran A. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of transsexual individuals who presented to a psychiatry clinic for sex reassignment surgery. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2015;26(3):153-60.
- 18. Zucker KJ, Lawrence AA. Epidemiology of gender identity disorder: Recommendations for the standards of care of The World Professional Association for Transgender Health. International Journal of Transgenderism 2009;11(1):8-18.
- 19. De Cuypere G, Van Hemelrijck M, Michel A, Carael B, Heylens G, Rubens R, et al. Prevalence and demography of transsexualism in Belgium. Eur Psychiatry. 2007;22(3):137-41.
- 20. Turan Ş, Aksoy Poyraz C, İnce E, Sakallı Kani A, Emül HM, Duran A. Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Transsexual Individuals who Applied to a Psychiatry Clinic for Sex Reassignment Surgery. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2015;26(3):153-60.
- 21. Becerra-Fernández A, Rodríguez-Molina JM, Asenjo-Araque N, Lucio-Pérez MJ, Cuchí-Alfaro M, García-Camba E, et al. Prevalence, Incidence, and Sex Ratio of Transsexualism in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Spain) According to Healthcare Demand. Arch Sex Behav. 2017;46(5):1307-12.
- 22. Bockting WO, Miner MH, Swinburne Romine RE, Hamilton A, Coleman E. Stigma, mental health and resilience in an online sample of the US transgender population. Am J Public Health. 2013;103(5):943-51.
- 23. Heylens G, Elaut E, Kreukels BP, Paap MC, Cerwenka S, Richter-Appelt H, et al. Psychiatric characteristics in transsexual individuals: multicentre study in four European countries. Br J Psychiatry. 2014;204(2):151-6.
- 24. King WM, Hughto JMW, Operario D. Transgender stigma: A critical scoping review of definitions, domains, and measures used in empirical research. Soc Sci Med. 2020;21;250:112867.
- 25. Clements-Nolle K, Marx R, Katz M. Attempted suicide among transgender persons: The influence of gender-based discrimination and victimization. J Homosex. 2006;51(3):53-69.
- 26. Dierckx M, Platero RL. The meaning of trans* in a family context, Crit. Soc. Pol. 2018;38 (1):79-98.
- 27. Koken JA, Bimbi DS, Parsons JT. Experiences of familial acceptance-rejection among transwomen of color. J Fam Psychol. 2009;23(6):853-60.
- 28. Mohammadi F, Masoumi SZ, Tehranineshat B, Oshvandi K, Bijani M. Young transgender individuals' lived experiences of facing life's challenges: a qualitative study in Iran. Front Public Health. 2023;15(11):1134237.
Karadeniz Bölgesinde Bir Üniversite Hastanesinde Cinsiyetinden Hoşnutsuzluk Olgularının Sosyodemografik ve Klinik Özellikleri
Abstract
Amaç: Cinsiyetinden hoşnutsuzluk, bireyin fiziksel cinsiyeti ile cinsiyet kimliği arasındaki uyumsuzluk ve karşı cinsiyette olma isteği ile tanımlanmıştır. Bu çalışmada Karadeniz Bölgesi’nde bir üniversite hastanesinde cinsiyetinden hoşnutsuzluk ile takip edilen olguların sosyodemografik ve klinik özellikleri, bu özellikler açısından trans kadın ve trans erkekler arasındaki farklılıkların belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır.
Yöntem: Çalışmaya bir üniversite hastanesi Psikiyatri Polikliniği’nde 2015-2021 yılları arasında cinsiyetinden hoşnutsuzluk tanısı ile takip edilen 27 olgu alınmıştır. Olguların sosyodemografik verileri ve cinsiyetinden hoşnutsuzluk tanısına yönelik klinik özellikleri değerlendirilmiştir.
Bulgular: Çalışmada cinsiyetinden hoşnutsuzluk nedeniyle psikiyatriye başvuran trans erkekler (%77,8) trans kadınlara (%22,2) göre daha çoktur. Olguların %55,6’sında başta depresyon ve anksiyete olacak şekilde ek bir psikiyatrik hastalık vardır. Trans kadınlarda takip sürecinde intihar düşüncesi, geçmiş travma öyküsü trans erkeklere göre istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı şekilde yüksektir. Trans kadınlara göre trans erkeklerde aile ve akran desteği daha yüksek, iş arkadaşları tarafından onaylanma durumu trans erkeklerde trans kadınlardan istatistiksel açıdan anlamlı şekilde yüksek bulunmuştur.
Sonuç: Bu çalışmada trans kadın ve trans erkeklerin toplumsal kabulü, aile destek düzeyi, intihar, travma öyküsü gibi ruh sağlığı riskleri açısından farklı deneyimlere sahip olduğu, trans erkeklerin trans kadınlara göre avantajlı olduğu gösterilmiştir. Bu bağlamda trans bireyler arasındaki cinsiyet farklılıklarını ele alan özelleştirilmiş yaklaşımların geliştirilmesi önerilmektedir.
Keywords
Cinsiyetinden hoşnutsuzluk Trans kadın Trans erkek Sosyodemografik özellikler Klinik özellikler
References
- 1. Reiner WG. Gender identity and sex assignment: a reappraisal for the 21st century. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2002;511:175-89.
- 2. Dhejne C, Van Vlerken R, Heylens G, Arcelus J. Mental health and gender dysphoria: A review of the literature. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2016;28(1):44-57.
- 3. Özata Yıldızhan B, Yüksel Ş, Avayu M, Noyan H, Yıldızhan E. Effects of Gender Reassignment on Quality of Life and Mental Health in People with Gender Dysphoria. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2018; 29(1):11-21.
- 4. Shechner T. Gender identity disorder: a literature review from a developmental perspective. Isr J Psychiatry Relat Sci. 2010;47(2):132-8.
- 5. Fisk NM. Editorial: Gender dysphoria syndrome--the conceptualization that liberalizes indications for total gender reorientation and implies a broadly based multi-dimensional rehabilitative regimen. West J Med. 1974;120(5):386-91.
- 6. Başar K, Öz G. Resilience in Individuals with Gender Dysphoria: Association with Perceived Social Support and Discrimination. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2016;27(4):225-34.
- 7. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association, 2013.
- 8. Cesur E, Yüksel Ş, Başar K, Kaptan S. Clinical Follow-up of Two Adolescents Diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2022; 33(3): 214-219.
- 9. Richards C, Bouman WP, Seal L, Barker MJ, Nieder TO, T'Sjoen G. Non-binary or genderqueer genders. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2016;28(1):95-102.
- 10. Clements-Nolle K, Marx R, Guzman R, Katz M. HIV prevalence, risk behaviors, health care use, and mental health status of transgender persons: implications for public health intervention. Am J Public Health. 2001;91(6):915-21.
- 11. Nuttbrock L, Hwahng S, Bockting W, Rosenblum A, Mason M, Macri M, et al. Psychiatric impact of gender-related abuse across the life course of male-to-female transgender persons. J Sex Res. 2010;47(1):12-23.
- 12. Vujovic S, Popovic S, Sbutega-Milosevic G, Djordjevic M, Gooren L. Transsexualism in Serbia: a twenty-year follow-up study. J Sex Med. 2009;6(4):1018-23.
- 13. Coleman E, Bockting W, Botzer M, Cohen-Kettenis P, DeCuypere G, Feldman J, vd. Standards of Care for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming People Version 7. International Journal of Transgenderism. 2012;13(4):165-232.
- 14. Godlewski J. Transsexualism and anatomic sex ratio reversal in Poland. Arch Sex Behav. 1988;17(6):547-8.
- 15. Reed B. Gender Variance in the UK: Prevalence, incidence, growth and Geographic Distribution. Gender Identity Research and Education Society, 2009.
- 16. Cheung AS, Ooi O, Leemaqz S, Cundill P, Silberstein N, Bretherton I, et al. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of transgender adults in Australia. Transgend Health. 2018;3(1):229-38.
- 17. Turan Ş, Aksoy Poyraz C, İnce E, Sakallı Kani A, Emül HM, Duran A. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of transsexual individuals who presented to a psychiatry clinic for sex reassignment surgery. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2015;26(3):153-60.
- 18. Zucker KJ, Lawrence AA. Epidemiology of gender identity disorder: Recommendations for the standards of care of The World Professional Association for Transgender Health. International Journal of Transgenderism 2009;11(1):8-18.
- 19. De Cuypere G, Van Hemelrijck M, Michel A, Carael B, Heylens G, Rubens R, et al. Prevalence and demography of transsexualism in Belgium. Eur Psychiatry. 2007;22(3):137-41.
- 20. Turan Ş, Aksoy Poyraz C, İnce E, Sakallı Kani A, Emül HM, Duran A. Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Transsexual Individuals who Applied to a Psychiatry Clinic for Sex Reassignment Surgery. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2015;26(3):153-60.
- 21. Becerra-Fernández A, Rodríguez-Molina JM, Asenjo-Araque N, Lucio-Pérez MJ, Cuchí-Alfaro M, García-Camba E, et al. Prevalence, Incidence, and Sex Ratio of Transsexualism in the Autonomous Region of Madrid (Spain) According to Healthcare Demand. Arch Sex Behav. 2017;46(5):1307-12.
- 22. Bockting WO, Miner MH, Swinburne Romine RE, Hamilton A, Coleman E. Stigma, mental health and resilience in an online sample of the US transgender population. Am J Public Health. 2013;103(5):943-51.
- 23. Heylens G, Elaut E, Kreukels BP, Paap MC, Cerwenka S, Richter-Appelt H, et al. Psychiatric characteristics in transsexual individuals: multicentre study in four European countries. Br J Psychiatry. 2014;204(2):151-6.
- 24. King WM, Hughto JMW, Operario D. Transgender stigma: A critical scoping review of definitions, domains, and measures used in empirical research. Soc Sci Med. 2020;21;250:112867.
- 25. Clements-Nolle K, Marx R, Katz M. Attempted suicide among transgender persons: The influence of gender-based discrimination and victimization. J Homosex. 2006;51(3):53-69.
- 26. Dierckx M, Platero RL. The meaning of trans* in a family context, Crit. Soc. Pol. 2018;38 (1):79-98.
- 27. Koken JA, Bimbi DS, Parsons JT. Experiences of familial acceptance-rejection among transwomen of color. J Fam Psychol. 2009;23(6):853-60.
- 28. Mohammadi F, Masoumi SZ, Tehranineshat B, Oshvandi K, Bijani M. Young transgender individuals' lived experiences of facing life's challenges: a qualitative study in Iran. Front Public Health. 2023;15(11):1134237.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Health Services and Systems (Other) |
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | June 17, 2025 |
| Submission Date | September 6, 2024 |
| Acceptance Date | May 20, 2025 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2025 Volume: 17 Issue: 2 |
