Desisting and persisting gender dysphoria after childhood: A qualitative follow-up study

Abstract

The aim of this qualitative study was to obtain a better understanding of the developmental trajectories of persistence and desistence of childhood gender dysphoria and the psychosexual outcome of gender dysphoric children. Twenty five adolescents (M age 15.88, range 14-18), diagnosed with a Gender Identity Disorder (DSM-IV or DSM-IV-TR) in childhood, participated in this study. Data were collected by means of biographical interviews. Adolescents with persisting gender dysphoria (persisters) and those in whom the gender dysphoria remitted (desisters) indicated that they considered the period between 10 and 13 years of age to be crucial. They reported that in this period they became increasingly aware of the persistence or desistence of their childhood gender dysphoria. Both persisters and desisters stated that the changes in their social environment, the anticipated and actual feminization or masculinization of their bodies, and the first experiences of falling in love and sexual attraction had influenced their gender related interests and behaviour, feelings of gender discomfort and gender identification. Although, both persisters and desisters reported a desire to be the other gender during childhood years, the underlying motives of their desire seemed to be different.

Click-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions in Children and Adolescents with Gender Identity Disorder

“…Another factor is whether the feelings of gender dysphoria in children, diagnosed with GID at the time of measurement, will persist into adulthood. Only about 15.8 % of the childhood GID cases will eventually lead to adult GID (Steensma, Biemond, de Boer, & Cohen-Kettenis, 2011). At present, we cannot determine whether the stronger response amplitudes of OAEs in boys with GID may be related to their different gender identity, may be related to current but possibly passing feelings of gender dysphoria and gender variant behaviors, or could be the disposition for a future homosexual orientation.…”

Understanding the Experience of Parents of Pre-pubescent Children with Gender Identity Issues

“…However, as the child, and their body, begins to mature, and they start to move outside of the often protective networks of family and primary school, difficulties can start to manifest. Steensma et al (2010) found that the years between 10 and 13 were viewed by young people as the most crucial time in their development for three reasons.…”

Psychological and Medical Care of Gender Nonconforming Youth

“…12,15 For others, gender nonconformity may change over the years or disappear altogether. 16 Many children in this latter group explore gender at its margins in a developmental progression toward their later gay identity, at which point the gender nonconformity may dissipate or disappear. 8 For another group, the gender exploration or gender-related stress may emerge in adolescence, often with the onset of puberty as the trigger.…”