Psychosocial differences between Dutch male and female transsexuals

One-hundred sixty-eight male and 55 female transsexuals, in hormonal treatment at the Gender Foundation in Amsterdam, were compared with respect to psychosocial characteristics. Results indicated that females more frequently had displayed cross-gender behavior during childhood than males, that they cross-dressed more often, and that, contrary to males, none had married in her anatomical sex. Females also applied for surgical gender reassignment at an earlier age than did males. More of the females lived in a stable relationship with a partner of their own biological sex. Relations with the parental home were better for females than for males, and the former were more often employed or enrolled in a study. No significant differences existed with respect to psychiatric treatment, substance abuse, or attempted suicides. It is concluded that unambiguous cross-gender behavior is more common in female than in male transsexuals and that the social conditions of the female are more satisfactory. However, a relatively high incidence of psychiatric treatment and attempted suicides indicates severe psychological problems in both the male and female groups.