Gender Dysphoria and Perceived Social Support: A Matched Case-Control Study

Abstract

BackgroundIn people diagnosed with Gender Dysphoria (GD), low perceived social support from their families and society has been suggested to be associated with poor quality of life and mental well-being. AimTo compare the perceived social support in individuals with GD with that in individuals without GD matched for age and gender. MethodsThe study group (n = 50) consisted of individuals diagnosed with GD via psychiatric evaluation. A control group (n = 50) was created by matching volunteers without GD by age and gender. Sociodemographic data form, Structured Clinical Interview Form for DSM-IV TR Axis I Disorders (SCID-I), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were used to gather data from participants. Outcomescomparing the perceived social support, the total and subscale MSPSS scores of groups were calculated. ResultsThe presence of at least 1 psychiatric disorder was significantly higher in the GD group than in the control group, either lifetime or during evaluation (P < .001 and P = .025, respectively). The total MSPSS and family support subscale scores were found to be significantly lower in the GD group than in the control group (P = .001 and P ≤ .001, respectively). When the groups formed on the basis of gender identity (32 trans men vs 32 cis men and 18 trans women vs 18 cis women) were compared, only the family support subscale score was found to be lower in trans men than cis men (P = .005). In addition, comparisons within the groups formed based on sex assigned-at-birth revealed lower total, friend, and family support in those assigned female-at-birth and lower total and family support in those assigned male-at-birth in the GD group. A multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the presence of GD was significantly associated with total and family support MSPSS subscale scores. Clinical ImplicationsThe findings show that perceived social support in people diagnosed with GD is lower, even when the presence of psychiatric disorders is included in the analysis. Strengths and LimitationsThe matched case-control design was the major study strength, whereas the sample size was the major limitation. ConclusionClinical care of people diagnosed with GD should include the evaluation of diverse sources of social support, efforts to strengthen family and friend support, maintenance of interpersonal relationships, and support of mental well-being.Kaptan S, Cesur E, Başar K, et al. Gender Dysphoria and Perceived Social Support: A Matched Case-Control Study. J Sex Med 2021;18:812–820.