Depression, Anxiety, and Aggression Disorders in Patients with Gender Identity Disorder Based on Personality Type: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Any deviation from the normal trajectory of gender identity formation creates a basis for incompatibilities, a specific and severe form of which is gender identity disorder (GID). Gender identity disorder affects an individual’s development, growth, and overall performance. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and aggression among individuals with GID, based on their personality type (type A or type B), referred to the Forensic Medicine Department of Ilam city in 2020. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all patients diagnosed with GID and referred to the Forensic Medicine Department for gender reassignment were included. All participants received psychological counseling from a psychiatrist. To determine levels of depression, anxiety, personality type, and aggression, Beck’s Depression and Anxiety Inventory, the Aggression Questionnaire (AGQ), and Spencer’s Type A or B Personality Type Questionnaire were used, respectively. Data were analyzed using t-tests, Fisher’s exact test, and linear regression through STATA 12 software. Results: The findings revealed that the mean ± SD total scores for depression and anxiety were 15.2 ± 9.2 and 21.4 ± 13.2, respectively. Among the patients, 21 (52%) exhibited no or very low depressive symptoms, three (8%) had mild symptoms, 12 (30%) had moderate symptoms, and four (10%) had severe depressive symptoms. Regarding anxiety, seven (17.5%) had no or very low symptoms, seven (17.5%) had mild symptoms, 12 (30%) had moderate symptoms, and 14 (35%) had severe symptoms. Among patients with personality types B and A, 11 (64.1%) and 10 (45.5%) individuals, respectively, had no depressive symptoms, while six (33.3%) and one (4.6%), respectively, exhibited no anxiety symptoms. The linear regression model indicated that aggression levels in type A personalities were approximately 6.23 points higher than those in type B personalities (P = 0.03). Conclusions: Individuals with GID who have a type A personality are more susceptible to mental health disorders compared to those with a type B personality. Additionally, aggression levels in individuals with GID can be partially predicted based on personality type.