Changing Perspectives on Gender Identity: Disorder or the “New” Normal?
Suggested citation:
Vatson DB, Saydl' Kh. [Changing Perspectives on Gender Identity: Disorder or the “New” Normal?]. Rossiiskii psikhiatricheskii zhurnal [Russian Journal of Psychiatry]. 2017;(5):33-39. Russian
This paper describes a study of a sample of the transgender population of Canada who responded to a request to complete questionnaires on gender related behavior, quality of life, perceived stress, selfconfidence and counseling satisfaction. The 165 respondents were divided into two sub-groups based on their self-identification: a fixed group preferring identification within the gender binary of male or female and a fluid group favouring flexibility and mixed gender identity on a continuum. The results were contrary to expectation. While both groups had low quality of life the fluid group had even lower scores and experienced significantly greater perceived stress. Treatment resources when available have been directed toward those pursuing reassignment. The results suggest that those with mixed gender identification have an even greater need for treatment. Approaches to treatment are outlined which must be flexible and adapted to individual need.
Keywords gender dysphoria, transgender, quality of life, gender binary, gender fluid, minority stress
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