Modifiable risk factors for social maladjustment in individuals with gender identity disorder

BACKGROUND: Gender identity disorder includes a spectrum of conditions united by subjective distress—gender dysphoria syndrome—which adversely affects quality of life. The degree of social adjustment in individuals with gender identity disorder depends on baseline personality characteristics, the microsocial environment, and the effects of heterogeneous negative factors that vary in intensity and duration.

AIM: This work aimed to identify modifiable factors affecting social adjustment and quality of life in patients with gender identity disorder.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of the medical records (n = 951) of patients who presented with complaints of gender dysphoria between 2014 and 2022.

RESULTS: The most significant risk factors for social maladjustment were lack of support from close relatives; exposure to bullying at school; comorbid mental disorders; untimely or unreliable information about gender identity disorder; lack of effective assistance at the initial consultation for gender identity disorder; absence of external congruence with psychological gender; and social isolation.

CONCLUSION: The findings indicate the need to develop personalized support strategies for patients with gender identity disorder of any origin, in accordance with legally established regulations. Such strategies may improve social adjustment at the individual and family levels, as well as in educational and workplace settings; reduce distress and social losses; and help unlock the economic potential of this young and physically healthy subgroup.