Clinical presentation of gender dysphoria across developmental age in Italy: preliminary data from the Italian network of gender clinics for children and adolescents

A national network of the Italian clinical centers specifically dealing with gender dysphoria in childhood and adolescence was established in 2012, within the Italian ONIG (Osservatorio Nazionale sull’Identità di Genere).... [ view full abstract ]

A national network of the Italian clinical centers specifically dealing with gender dysphoria in childhood and adolescence was established in 2012, within the Italian ONIG (Osservatorio Nazionale sull’Identità di Genere). In order to overcome the heterogeneity of Centers, a shared protocol of assessment and care was provided, in line with international guidelines, such as the Standards of Care – v. 7 of WPATH, and according to the indications of DSM-5 by APA (2013). Similarly to what happened in other countries, in recent years the clinics specialized in gender identity issues received an increasing number of contacts by adolescents and families of gender variant children.

To present the preliminary results of a muticentric study set to systematically collect national data regarding the characteristics of Italian gender dysphoric children and adolescents [ view full abstract ]

To present the preliminary results of a muticentric study set to systematically collect national data regarding the characteristics of Italian gender dysphoric children and adolescents

In order to make available a data set of the national sample, a common assessment protocol was administered to all the adolescents and families of children consecutively referred to the gender clinics of Torino, Roma, Bologna... [ view full abstract ]

In order to make available a data set of the national sample, a common assessment protocol was administered to all the adolescents and families of children consecutively referred to the gender clinics of Torino, Roma, Bologna and Napoli. The assessment protocol is broad and comprehensive, so, for the present study, we took into consideration the socio-demographic data sheet and the psychological case history form which were filled out by the professionals working in each participating gender clinic. Demographic characteristics of the group of participants and association between variables were tested through descriptive and multivariate statistics.

Through the socio-demographic data sheet and the psychological case history form it was possible to measure several variables. In addition to the demographic and social data, we analysed information about: history of gender... [ view full abstract ]

Through the socio-demographic data sheet and the psychological case history form it was possible to measure several variables. In addition to the demographic and social data, we analysed information about: history of gender identity development (such as preference for cross-gender toys and activities in childhood, presence of gender-dysphoric feelings and cross-gender identification, age of onset); feelings and developmental trajectories across puberty; education; perceived quality of family relations and of peer relations; associated psychological difficulties and medical conditions; expectations about a possible, future, transition process.

We collected the data about a total sample of 114 children and adolescents, aged 3 to 18. Our preliminary analysis show that: the mean age of the group is 12.78 (SD=4.27), but 59% of the group is aged 13-18; participants’... [ view full abstract ]

We collected the data about a total sample of 114 children and adolescents, aged 3 to 18. Our preliminary analysis show that: the mean age of the group is 12.78 (SD=4.27), but 59% of the group is aged 13-18; participants’ assigned sex at birth was female for 54.2% of the group; participants attended the clinics for a mean period of 12.79 months (SD=12.75). Moreover our preliminary results outlined a progressive increase across years of the number of referrals. We will present additional data related to gender identity development history, family and peer relations as well as the above mentioned variables.

The increasing number of referrals to the Italian clinics indicates the need of continuing with this systematic analysis in order to increase the knowledge about clinical presentation of gender dysphoria in children and... [ view full abstract ]

The increasing number of referrals to the Italian clinics indicates the need of continuing with this systematic analysis in order to increase the knowledge about clinical presentation of gender dysphoria in children and adolescents of our country, which will make it possible to gain more indications about the factors that can support the wellbeing of Italian gender variant children and adolescents. With such view it will be important, in the future, to compare our data with those of other countries and cultural contexts.