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Comparisons of two groups of sex-change applicants based on the MMPI

A Michel1, M Ansseau, J J Legros

  • 1Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Liège, Belgium. aude.michel@ulg.ac.be

Psychological Reports
|October 2, 2002
PubMed

Insights

This study compared personality differences in men diagnosed with transsexualism (using DSM-III-R criteria) versus those without. Transsexual individuals strongly adhered to feminine stereotypes, unlike non-transsexual men who showed varied gender identity expressions.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Gender Studies
  • Psychiatry

Background:

  • The study investigates personality differences in individuals seeking gender transition.
  • Diagnostic criteria for transsexualism (DSM-III-R) are more restrictive than current gender dysphoria diagnoses (DSM-IV).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare personality variables between men diagnosed with transsexualism and those who did not meet the criteria.
  • To explore the relationship between personality, gender identity, and adherence to cultural stereotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) to assess personality traits.
  • Compared 16 men diagnosed with transsexualism against 13 non-transsexual men based on MMPI results.

Main Results:

  • Transsexual individuals consistently exhibited adherence to cultural feminine stereotypes without distress.
  • Non-transsexual individuals were categorized into two groups: those with a sense of unease linked to strong feminine identity, and those with mild feminine identity and no significant difficulties.

Conclusions:

  • Personality profiles differ significantly between transsexual men and those without the diagnosis.
  • Adherence to gender stereotypes appears to be a distinguishing characteristic in this cohort of transsexual individuals.

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