Self-image and personality traits, measured by
SASB and SCID screen respectively, were compared between transsexuals,
patients diagnosed as Gender Identity Disorders of Adolescence and Adulthood,
Non-transsexual Type (GIDAANT), and normal controls.
Transsexual and GIDAANT patients differed
significantly in both their self-image and personality traits. While both the
transsexuals' and controls' self-images were positive with self-love, the
GIDAANT patients had a negative self-image.
On the SCID screen, the GIDAANT group
fulfilled 39.8% of all axis II criteria; transsexuals fulfilled 28.6% versus
17.1% for the control group. Mean GAF scores (axis V) were 62, 70, and 83,
respectively. For all patients a more negative self-image was significantly
related to lower social functioning according to GAF and to more personality
pathology according to SCID screen.
The prevalence of additional clinical axis I
and II disorders was about twice as high among GIDAANT patients as among
transsexuals. Although the two conditions are closely related, we found more
differences than similarities in the studied aspects and a clear tendency that
the GIDAANT patients had more psychopathology overall.
Although the transsexuals also differed
significantly in some aspects from the controls, they showed less personality
pathology and they had a normal self-image. Negative self-image, high degree
of fulfilled axis II criteria, and low GAF scores seem to be corresponding
factors and in this study clearly differentiate transsexuals from GIDAANT
patients.
Citation:
J Sex Marital Ther 1994 Winter;20(4):303-17 an article published on the
Internet by PubMed <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/>
