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Handedness in boys with gender identity disorder
K J Zucker1, N Beaulieu, S J Bradley
1Child and Adolescent Gender Identity Clinic, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health-Clarke Division and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ken_Zucker@camh.net
Summary
Boys with gender identity disorder show a higher prevalence of left-handedness compared to clinical controls. This finding suggests left-handedness may indicate neurobiological factors linked to gender identity disorder in boys.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Genetics
Background:
- Gender identity disorder (GID) is a complex condition with debated etiological factors.
- Handedness preference, typically right-handed, is influenced by neurobiological development.
- Previous research suggests potential links between non-right-handedness and certain developmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of handedness preference in boys diagnosed with gender identity disorder.
- To compare the handedness rates in boys with GID to clinical control groups and general population data.
- To explore left-handedness as a potential behavioral marker for neurobiological correlates of GID.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Handedness preference was assessed in 205 boys with GID and 205 clinical control boys.
- Data were compared against three independent general population studies comprising 14,253 nonreferred boys.
Main Results:
- Boys with GID exhibited a significantly higher rate of left-handedness (19.5%) compared to clinical controls (8.3%).
- The prevalence of left-handedness in the GID group was also significantly higher than in general population samples (11.8%).
- Clinical control boys did not show a significant deviation from general population handedness rates.
Conclusions:
- Left-handedness is more prevalent in boys with gender identity disorder.
- This increased prevalence suggests left-handedness may serve as a behavioral marker for underlying neurobiological processes in GID.
- Further research into neurobiological factors associated with handedness and GID is warranted.
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