A Qualitative Study of the Acceptability of the Proposed ICD-11 Gender Incongruence of Childhood Diagnosis Among Transgender Adults Who Were Labeled Due to Their Gender Identity Since Childhood

Abstract

For the forthcoming ICD-11, the ICD-10 category of Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood has been reformulated as Gender Incongruence of Childhood (GIC) and moved out of the mental disorders chapter. Proponents of eliminating the GIC diagnosis altogether claim that it is unnecessary and inherently harmful, although they do not eschew the diagnosis for adolescents and adults. Using a qualitative methodology, this study examined the impact of receiving a diagnosis related to gender identity as a child among transgender people who had had this experience, and evaluated participants' views of the acceptability and usefulness of the ICD-11 GIC proposal. Participants receiving health services at a specialized public clinic for transgender health in Mexico City who had received some form of diagnosis in childhood were referred to participate in a semistructured interview. A sample of 12 transgender people (eight transgender women and four transgender men; ages 18-49) was necessary to reach saturation. Diagnoses received were non-specific rather than formal gender identity diagnoses, were experienced by participants as negative, and were used to justify potentially harmful interventions. However, when participants reviewed the ICD-11 proposals for GIC, all indicated that the category was necessary and important and could have a range of personal, familial, and social benefits. They agreed with its placement in a new chapter on Conditions Related to Sexual Health and endorsed the proposed definition and name of the category. Although this study involved a small and specific sample, the results raise questions about the claim that the diagnosis is inherently harmful and universally deplored by transgender people.

Health of transgender men in low-income and middle-income countries: a scoping review

“…40 In Mexico, two studies drew on ICD-11 field tests, including a survey of patients at a trans care specialty clinic (46 trans men) and a qualitative study describing the perspectives of four adult trans men on the proposed diagnostic category of gender incongruence of childhood. 49 In Guatemala, a community organisation of trans men conducted an online survey with 50 participants that collected data on a wide range of health outcomes and social determinants of health. 31 Finally, a book chapter reported on findings of a qualitative study of trans men in Peru, highlighting challenges and strengths such as the negative impacts on healthcare access of legal non-recognition of gender, as well as the positive mental health impacts of self-acceptance and online community-building.…”

Mental health of transgender children and adolescents: a systematic review

“…The influence of a multidisciplinary monitoring on the quality of life of the transgender population Transgender medicine-transitioning transgender children to adulthood (42) Abramowitz (45) Vargas-Huicochea I, Robles R, Real T, Fresán A, Cruz-Islas J, Vega-Ramírez H, et al, 2018…”

“…Furthermore, they often receive inappropriate, harmful, and discriminatory diagnoses. (45) Brazilian Journal of Health Review, Curitiba, v. 6, n. 6, p.32146-32170, nov./dec., 2023 Therefore, it is important that the screening and identification are carried out correctly, to minimize the potentially deleterious effects. (45)…”

“…(10,64) The literature supports the perception that social support is fundamental for improving well-being and reducing mental problems in this population. (3,18,45,49,50,65) It is known that those who do not have parental support in their gender identity have up to 14 times more risk of attempting suicide than those who have this support (50) , with greater family support associated with greater satisfaction concerning life and a lower number of depressive symptoms throughout life. (21,32,37) It is clear that the social and family support that these individuals lack extends to the needs of children concerning parents, school officials, and other authority figures, who need more knowledge and awareness about gender, sex, and issues related to gender variation.…”

Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Youth in Naturopathic Practice

“…23 As it is misaligned with the recommended informed consent model of care, the WHO is transitioning to a diagnosis of gender incongruence (adults) and gender incongruence of childhood (children & youth), relocating it to a new chapter "Conditions Related to Sexual Health". 24,25 Informed consent model and the role of the naturopathic doctor…”