Parental Attachment in subjects with female-to-male gender dysphoria

Abstract

Introduction Attachment has been defined as a deep and enduring emotional bond that connects one person to another across time and space. Subjects with gender dysphoria (GD) are sometimes accompanied by psychiatric problems because they face potential parent and peer rejection. Objectives The present study aims to investigate the parental attachment in subjects with female-to-male (FtM) GD. Methods Sixty-six subjects with FtM GD (DSM-5 criteria) and 67 female controls were assessed using: short version of the Inventory of Parent and Peer Attachment (IPPA). Results Main findings highlighted that female controls were significantly more attached to their parents than subjects with FtM GD. The scores of specific dimensions of attachment such as trust, communication and alienation were significantly higher in control females than subjects with FtM GD. Conclusions The results of this study indicate that subjects with FtM GD have significantly poor parental attachment compared to female controls, measured by IPPA. These findings may suggest that psychological basis underlying the development of psychiatric disorders, which was seen in subjects with FtM GD.