Risk factors for psychological functioning in German adolescents with gender dysphoria: poor peer relations and general family functioning
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Risk factors for psychological functioning in German adolescents with gender dysphoria: poor peer relations and general family functioning. / Levitan, Naina; Barkmann, Claus; Richter-Appelt, Hertha; Schulte-Markwort, Michael; Becker-Hebly, Inga.
in: EUR CHILD ADOLES PSY, Jahrgang 28, Nr. 11, 11.2019, S. 1487-1498.Publikationen: SCORING: Beitrag in Fachzeitschrift/Zeitung › SCORING: Zeitschriftenaufsatz › Forschung › Begutachtung
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T1 - Risk factors for psychological functioning in German adolescents with gender dysphoria: poor peer relations and general family functioning
AU - Levitan, Naina
AU - Barkmann, Claus
AU - Richter-Appelt, Hertha
AU - Schulte-Markwort, Michael
AU - Becker-Hebly, Inga
PY - 2019/11
Y1 - 2019/11
N2 - Adolescents with gender dysphoria (GD) often face various associated social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. In such a marginalized group, it is crucial to identify factors that may impact psychological functioning to better accommodate their needs. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of two specific risk factors, poor peer relations and general family functioning, on the development of psychological problems in adolescents with GD, and their possible interaction effect. The Youth Self-Report, a Peer Relations Scale, and a General Family Functioning scale were assessed in a sample of n = 180 clinically referred adolescents (mean age 15.5; 146 transgender boys with a female birth-assigned sex, and 34 transgender girls with a male birth-assigned sex) with a complete GD diagnosis (fulfillment of the DSM 5 criteria A and B) at their initial admission to the Hamburg Gender Identity Service. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between peer relations, family functioning, and psychological functioning outcomes. Adolescents with GD presented significantly higher Internalizing and Total Problem scores compared to the German reference norm. Externalizing problems were above the norm for transgender boys, but within the normal range for transgender girls. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, overall, adolescents with an advanced age, a female birth-assigned sex, poorer peer relations, and poorer family functioning showed more behavioral and emotional problems. Consequently, incorporating both the family and social environment in transgender care is of high importance to adequately tend to the needs of adolescents with GD.
AB - Adolescents with gender dysphoria (GD) often face various associated social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. In such a marginalized group, it is crucial to identify factors that may impact psychological functioning to better accommodate their needs. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of two specific risk factors, poor peer relations and general family functioning, on the development of psychological problems in adolescents with GD, and their possible interaction effect. The Youth Self-Report, a Peer Relations Scale, and a General Family Functioning scale were assessed in a sample of n = 180 clinically referred adolescents (mean age 15.5; 146 transgender boys with a female birth-assigned sex, and 34 transgender girls with a male birth-assigned sex) with a complete GD diagnosis (fulfillment of the DSM 5 criteria A and B) at their initial admission to the Hamburg Gender Identity Service. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between peer relations, family functioning, and psychological functioning outcomes. Adolescents with GD presented significantly higher Internalizing and Total Problem scores compared to the German reference norm. Externalizing problems were above the norm for transgender boys, but within the normal range for transgender girls. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, overall, adolescents with an advanced age, a female birth-assigned sex, poorer peer relations, and poorer family functioning showed more behavioral and emotional problems. Consequently, incorporating both the family and social environment in transgender care is of high importance to adequately tend to the needs of adolescents with GD.
U2 - 10.1007/s00787-019-01308-6
DO - 10.1007/s00787-019-01308-6
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
C2 - 30877477
VL - 28
SP - 1487
EP - 1498
JO - EUR CHILD ADOLES PSY
JF - EUR CHILD ADOLES PSY
SN - 1018-8827
IS - 11
ER -