Abstract
The current study investigated attachment representations and complex trauma in a sample of gender dysphoric adults. Although it has been proven that the psychological wellbeing of gender diverse persons is largely mediated by family acceptance and support, research on their relationships with parental figures is scarce. A total of 95 adults took part in the study. The attachment distribution was as follows: 27% secure, 27% insecure and 46% disorganized. Regarding early traumas, 56% experienced four or more traumatic forms. Further, gender dysphoric adults showed significantly higher levels of attachment disorganization and polyvictimisation, relative to controls. Comparisons of subgroups, defined by natal gender, showed that trans women, compared to control males, had more involving and physically and psychologically abusive fathers, and were more often separated from their mothers; trans men, relative to female controls, had more involving mothers and were more frequently separated from and neglected by their fathers. The research has several implications for treatment, clinical health psychology, family support and education.
Highlights
Gender dysphoria (GD) is described in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) as a condition in which individuals experience distress due to incongruence between their gender identity and the gender they were assigned at birth
Analysis of the 4-way distribution of Attachment Interview (AAI) transcripts highlighted that, within the control group, 61% were classified as F, 19% were classified as Ds, 7% were classified as E and 13% were classified as U
With regard to the GD participants, 27% were classified as F, 14% were classified as Ds, 13% were classified as E and 46% were classified as U
Summary
Gender dysphoria (GD) is described in the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) as a condition in which individuals experience distress due to incongruence between their gender identity (or experienced/expressed gender) and the gender they were assigned at birth. Findings about the incidence and prevalence of this condition are controversial (Coleman et al, 2012). De Cuypere et al (2007), in their review involving eight countries, found a prevalence ranging from 1:11,900 to 1:45,000 for trans women and 1:30,400 to 1:200,000 for trans men. Some authors have suggested even higher – or increasing – prevalence rates (e.g., Olyslager and Conway, 2007; Collin et al, 2016; for a review, see Arcelus et al, 2015), which are supported by clinical observations (Cole et al, 1997; Coleman et al, 2012). GD is widely considered a multi-factorial condition in which both psychosocial and biological aspects
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