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“Psychology Works” Fact Sheet: Gender Dysphoria in Children
Canadian Psychological Association
June 22, 2014
Note that our understanding of gender and gender dysphoria continues to evolve. What is presented below is a summary of current thinking and research. This fact sheet will be periodically revised to include new theories and evidence.
What is gender dysphoria?
Most people experience little doubt about their gender, seeing themselves as either male or female.
However, others experience an inconsistency between their internal sense of gender (their gender identity) and their physical sex (which generally matches the sex they were assigned at birth). Gender dysphoria refers to the unhappiness that some people feel with their physical sex and/or gender role. For children, this generally means that they think of themselves as or desire to be of the opposite sex.
It is important to note, however, that many people question the idea that male and female are fixed opposites. Theorists have suggested that it may be more appropriate to think of gender as lying on a continuum or having multiple categories. Others have proposed a position of gender transcendence, arguing that traits, behaviours, and roles should be divorced from gender.
Regardless, a desire to be of the opposite to their physical/assigned sex is a common experience for both girls and boys (Bailey & Zucker, 1995; Dunne, Bailey, Kirk, & Martin, 2000). Moreover, studies suggest that this is a frequent reason children are referred to school counsellors (Haldeman, 2000).
Gender dysphoria in children
Gender dysphoria is much more common in children than in adults. However, the majority of children with gender dysphoria do not grow up to be adults with gender dysphoria: They seem to outgrow it. Studies that have followed children with a strong desire to be of the opposite sex have found that only avery small proportion of these children continue to have gender dysphoria when they grow up (Zucker & Bradley, 1995). Indeed, some researchers argue that since cross-gender behaviour in childhood is so common, it represents a normal part of development.
Nonetheless, gender dysphoria may cause problems or distress for affected children and their families. In such cases, a psychologist may help the child cope with any difficulties resulting from expressing their gender differently from their peers. Psychologists may also provide support to parents in terms of helping them figure out how best to manage their child’s gender expression and live with the uncertainty of its course.
Children with gender dysphoria may be more likely than other children to have problems with anxiety and depressed mood. It is not clear if these problems cause, are the result of, or are unrelated to the gender dysphoria. Regardless, children and the families of children with gender dysphoria may benefit from psychological treatments aimed at helping them with any mood- and anxiety-related problems.
Continue reading article in the PDF attached. See also changes to this diagnosis in the DSM V fact sheet PDF attached.
Canadian Psychological Association
June 22, 2014
Note that our understanding of gender and gender dysphoria continues to evolve. What is presented below is a summary of current thinking and research. This fact sheet will be periodically revised to include new theories and evidence.
What is gender dysphoria?
Most people experience little doubt about their gender, seeing themselves as either male or female.
However, others experience an inconsistency between their internal sense of gender (their gender identity) and their physical sex (which generally matches the sex they were assigned at birth). Gender dysphoria refers to the unhappiness that some people feel with their physical sex and/or gender role. For children, this generally means that they think of themselves as or desire to be of the opposite sex.
It is important to note, however, that many people question the idea that male and female are fixed opposites. Theorists have suggested that it may be more appropriate to think of gender as lying on a continuum or having multiple categories. Others have proposed a position of gender transcendence, arguing that traits, behaviours, and roles should be divorced from gender.
Regardless, a desire to be of the opposite to their physical/assigned sex is a common experience for both girls and boys (Bailey & Zucker, 1995; Dunne, Bailey, Kirk, & Martin, 2000). Moreover, studies suggest that this is a frequent reason children are referred to school counsellors (Haldeman, 2000).
Gender dysphoria in children
Gender dysphoria is much more common in children than in adults. However, the majority of children with gender dysphoria do not grow up to be adults with gender dysphoria: They seem to outgrow it. Studies that have followed children with a strong desire to be of the opposite sex have found that only avery small proportion of these children continue to have gender dysphoria when they grow up (Zucker & Bradley, 1995). Indeed, some researchers argue that since cross-gender behaviour in childhood is so common, it represents a normal part of development.
Nonetheless, gender dysphoria may cause problems or distress for affected children and their families. In such cases, a psychologist may help the child cope with any difficulties resulting from expressing their gender differently from their peers. Psychologists may also provide support to parents in terms of helping them figure out how best to manage their child’s gender expression and live with the uncertainty of its course.
Children with gender dysphoria may be more likely than other children to have problems with anxiety and depressed mood. It is not clear if these problems cause, are the result of, or are unrelated to the gender dysphoria. Regardless, children and the families of children with gender dysphoria may benefit from psychological treatments aimed at helping them with any mood- and anxiety-related problems.
Continue reading article in the PDF attached. See also changes to this diagnosis in the DSM V fact sheet PDF attached.
