Gender dysphoria in adolescent population: A 5-year replication study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Adolescent Health
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Adolescent gender dysphoria (GD) prevalence and sex ratios are subjects of ongoing research.
• Previous studies indicated a low prevalence of GD in adolescent populations.
• Understanding trends in GD is crucial for public health and clinical interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential increases in the prevalence and changes in the sex ratio of gender dysphoria (GD) among adolescents in Northern Europe.
• To assess the impact of invalid responding on the study's findings regarding GD.
• To replicate a previous survey on gender experience in a Finnish adolescent population.

Main Methods:

• Anonymous classroom surveys on gender experience were administered to junior high school students (aged 16-18) in Tampere, Finland.
• The Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents (GIDYQ-A) was used to measure gender identity and GD.
• Surveys were conducted during the 2012-2013 school year and again in 2017, with participation from 318-326 males and 401-701 females across both periods.

Main Results:

• In 2012-2013, 2.2% of males and 0.5% of females reported potentially clinically significant GD.
• In 2017, the proportion reporting potentially clinically significant GD rose to 3.6% among males and 2.3% among females.
• Validity screening significantly impacted the interpretation of results, suggesting a rise in GD prevalence.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of gender dysphoria (GD) appears to have increased in the adolescent population studied.
• Changes in the sex ratio of GD were observed between the survey periods.
• Methodological considerations, including response validity, are important for accurate GD prevalence estimates.