Representations and narratives of F to M Gender Dysphoric subjects: Self, Body and psycho-traumatology in comparison with M to F transsexualism

Abstract

The present study was aimed at extending the method previously used with M to F gender dysphoric patients, to F to M individuals. In particular, the aim of the study was to highlight global and particular representations of the subjects. The study involved 10 gender dysphoric subjects in F to M transition, aged between 18 to 26 years old. Rorschach and the Thematic Apperception Test were administered with particular attention to the detection of psycho-traumatic indexes. The data reached through the extension of the method to F to M subjects revealed a continuity between the two groups. Referring to Self-representation, the subjects produced mainly objectual responses, indicative of a global representation affected by the current physical condition. In terms of Body representation, the subjects provided answers demonstrating the presence of partiality and fragmentation, indicative of a body representation supporting the term dysphoria. Approximately 30% of the subjects' responses indicated the presence of consistent psycho-traumatology. In comparative terms, F to M subjects provided quantitatively and quantitatively similar answers to M to F subjects, with a greater number of fragmentary responses and a lower presence of psycho-traumatic indexes.