Personality and Attachment in Transsexual Adults

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to investigate the associations between personality features and attachment patterns in transsexual adults. We explored mental representations of attachment, assessed personality traits, and possible personality disorders. Forty-four individuals diagnosed with gender identity disorder (now gender dysphoria), 28 male-to-female and 16 female-to-male, were evaluated using the Shedler-Westen assessment procedure-200 (SWAP-200) to assess personality traits and disorders; the adult attachment interview was used to evaluate their attachment state-of-mind. With respect to attachment, our sample differed both from normative samples because of the high percentage of disorganized states of mind (50% of the sample), and from clinical samples for the conspicuous percentage of secure states of mind (37%). Furthermore, we found that only 16% of our sample presented a personality disorder, while 50% showed a high level of functioning according to the SWAP-200 scales. In order to find latent subgroups that shared personality characteristics, we performed a Q-factor analysis. Three personality clusters then emerged: Healthy Functioning (54% of the sample); Depressive/Introverted (32%) and Histrionic/Extroverted (14%). These data indicate that in terms of personality and attachment, GD individuals are a heterogeneous sample and show articulate and diverse types with regard to these constructs.

Attachment Patterns and Complex Trauma in a Sample of Adults Diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria

“…It is interesting to note that the literature data highlights high percentages of disorganization in clinical samples ( Allen et al, 1996 ; West et al, 2001 ; Steele et al, 2003 ; Agrawal et al, 2004 ; Stovall-McClough and Cloitre, 2006 ; Harari et al, 2007 ; Ivarsson, 2008 ; Farina et al, 2014 ; Murphy et al, 2014 ) and high psychosocial risk ( Stalker and Davies, 1995 ; Lyons-Ruth et al, 2003 ; Crowell and Hauser, 2008 ). Specifically, with respect to GD samples, the high occurrence of U and CC in our group confirmed the association between disorganized patterns and transsexualism that has been found in previous studies ( Cook, 1999 ; Vitelli and Riccardi, 2010 ; Lingiardi et al, 2017 ). Moreover, the heterogeneity of disorganized profiles that defined our GD sample denoted the presence of both a local breakdown in discourse strategies regarding loss or abuse and a global disruption of attachment strategies along the entire transcript.…”

“… Colizzi et al (2013) found a high percentage of insecure attachment (70%) in their sample of 50 adult transsexuals. Finally, in a recent study, Lingiardi et al (2017) found a high percentage of unresolved/disorganized states of mind (50%) and a considerably high percentage of secure patterns (39%). Moreover, 29 (66%) of the 44 individuals had traumatic childhood experiences relating to the loss of an attachment figure or physical or sexual abuse.…”

“…In comparison to the general population, individuals with GD have been shown to be more subject to devaluation, oppression and discrimination (e.g., Lombardi et al, 2002 ; Melendez and Pinto, 2007 ; Bockting et al, 2013 ). Some (mostly descriptive) studies have reported a high frequency in transsexual individuals of childhood sexual and physical abuse perpetrated by parents and caregivers ( Pauly, 1974 ; Lothstein, 1983 ; Devor, 1994 ; Gehring and Knudson, 2005 ; Wilchins, 2006 ; Wharton, 2007 ; Veale et al, 2008 ; Cussino et al, 2017 ; Lingiardi et al, 2017 ). Moreover, one study showed that patients in gender clinics were more likely than psychiatric patients to report parental death during adolescence and early adulthood ( Bernstein et al, 1981 ).…”

Caring for gender diverse children and adolescents in Italy: A mixed-method investigation of clinicians’ knowledge and approach to clinical practice

“…This may mean that gender diversity in developmental age receives less attention than it deserves. However, despite the apparently low numbers of referrals and centers compared with other countries, the improved diagnostic accuracy and the intensified resonance and media visibility of transgender lives have led to an increase in Italian studies on this topic (Amodeo et al, 2018; Fisher et al, 2013; Giovanardi et al, 2018, 2019; Lingiardi et al, 2017; Ristori et al, 2020; Scandurra et al, 2018; Vitelli et al, 2017; Vitelli & Riccardi, 2010).…”

Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Transgender Adults in Australia

“…Mental health conditions have been reported to have higher prevalence within transgender populations and there have been many reports of high rates of depression and anxiety 6–8 occurring in transgender adults. There also has been a suggestion that personality disorders 9,10 and eating disorders 11 may be more prevalent among transgender individuals. Co-occurrence with ASD has been described in children and adolescents, 12,13 and while much of the literature has associated autism traits detected on screening tests with gender dysphoria, 14,15 only one study has assessed prevalence of the diagnosis of ASD among adult transgender individuals.…”