Improving the Gender-Affirmation Process for Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Individuals: Associations Among Time Since Transition Began, Body Satisfaction, and Sexual Distress

Abstract

Sexual distress is associated with a variety of negative outcomes. Unique contributors to sexual distress exist among transgender individuals. The current study examined the impacts of gender-affirming interventions (i.e., hormone therapy [HT], gender-affirmation surgery [GAS]) and body satisfaction on sexual distress among 317 transgender adults recruited nationally to participate in an anonymous online survey. As expected, individuals who had received HT and/or GAS reported better body satisfaction compared to those who wanted these interventions but had not yet received them. Sexual distress did not differ by transition status. As hypothesized, time since transition began was positively associated with body satisfaction, and there was an indirect relationship between time since transition began and sexual distress through body satisfaction. These results replicated findings in the extant literature suggesting that body satisfaction is improved by GAS. Furthermore, this was the first study of which we are aware to examine the role of time since transition began with respect to body satisfaction and the resulting impact on sexual distress. Results from this study may have clinical implications that could help improve the gender-affirmation experience for transgender individuals.