Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the prevalence of synesthesia in transgender versus cisgender individuals.Methods: A 10-question, self-administered written survey, developed to assess the prevalence of synesthesia, was distributed to transgender individuals (n=96) attending support groups as well as to cisgender participants (n=103) identified among individuals accompanying transgender attendees. Demographic data and prevalence of synesthesia were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Differences between groups were analyzed using a chi-square test.Results: Forty-two percent of transgender participants endorsed synesthesia compared with 16% of cisgender participants. These findings persisted when analyzed by specific gender identity (i.e., male, female, and nonbinary).Conclusion: This study suggests a correlation between synesthesia and transgender identity that may indicate a common biological cause. Limitations of this study include use of a survey that has not yet been validated. Initial findings may justify further research.
Highlights
The result is significant ( p = 0.000279; Table 3). These findings persisted when analyzed by specific gender identity, with synesthesia most prevalent among nonbinary transgender participants (15/ 31, 48%) and least prevalent among male cisgender participants (2/33, 6%; Fig. 1)
Synesthesia was most prevalent in decades 31–40 (19%) and 41–50 (21%)
Synesthesia was most prevalent in decades 31–40 (63%) and 51–60 (60%)
Summary
Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary sensations in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. Synesthetes may experience colors when they hear sounds, see colors when they hear letters or words, visualize numbers as points in space or geometric shapes, ‘‘feel’’ sounds as a tapping on the shoulder, attach scents or tastes to human personalities, and many more.[1,2] Once believed to be extremely rare, recent estimates suggest a prevalence of 4.4%.3. Synesthesia can be detected by testing the consistency of these sensations over long time intervals.[3]. The online Synesthesia Battery, which assesses consistency within a single test session, is a valid method for assessing synesthesia.[4] Synesthetes can be identified as early as age six.[5]
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