Baseline psychosocial characteristics of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria referred to the Hamburg Gender Identity Service

Youth with gender dysphoria (GD) who apply for treatment often experience a marked increase in distress when entering puberty, often accompanied by internalizing mental health issues and poor peer relations. The... [ view full abstract ]

Youth with gender dysphoria (GD) who apply for treatment often experience a marked increase in distress when entering puberty, often accompanied by internalizing mental health issues and poor peer relations. The interdisciplinary Gender Identity Service in Hamburg offers specialized diagnostics, psychosocial, and medical treatment for youth with gender dysphoria from Germany since 2006. While referral numbers are increasing, the clinical presentations remain diverse.

The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical presentation of the referred youth (e.g. gender identification, gender dysphoria diagnosis, psychosocial well-being and associated mental health problems), as well as... [ view full abstract ]

The aim of the present study was to describe the clinical presentation of the referred youth (e.g. gender identification, gender dysphoria diagnosis, psychosocial well-being and associated mental health problems), as well as to provide a brief overview over treatment approaches at our department.

All 340 families who attended our service since 2013 were invited to conclude a set of self- and parent-report questionnaires comparable to established international research protocols. Complete youth self-, parent- and... [ view full abstract ]

All 340 families who attended our service since 2013 were invited to conclude a set of self- and parent-report questionnaires comparable to established international research protocols. Complete youth self-, parent- and clinicians-report data of n=150 families (with children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years) with initial visits between September 2013 and October 2016 were included in the analyses. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, comparing transfemale and transmale participants.  

Main descriptive measures included the following parameters: socio-demographic characteristics, gender identification, emotional and behavioral problems (YSR, CBCL), and diagnosis (according to DSM-5 criteria). [ view full abstract ]

Main descriptive measures included the following parameters: socio-demographic characteristics, gender identification, emotional and behavioral problems (YSR, CBCL), and diagnosis (according to DSM-5 criteria).

The majority of the youth identified as transmale (female sex assigned at birth). Almost all of the adolescents reported a highly incongruent identification. Internalizing problems as well as self-harm and suicidality were... [ view full abstract ]

The majority of the youth identified as transmale (female sex assigned at birth). Almost all of the adolescents reported a highly incongruent identification. Internalizing problems as well as self-harm and suicidality were highly present in both transmales and transfemales.

At the Hamburg department, gender dysphoric youth present quite a vulnerable group. Thus, providing appropriate treatment and counselling options in order to contribute to overall well-being in the long-term seems important.... [ view full abstract ]

At the Hamburg department, gender dysphoric youth present quite a vulnerable group. Thus, providing appropriate treatment and counselling options in order to contribute to overall well-being in the long-term seems important. Findings will be discussed with regard to challenges as well as with regard to their contribution to transgender youth health care.