A Latent Class Analysis of Interrupted Gender Transitions and Detransitions in the USA and Canada

Research into detransition-stopping, shifting, or reversing an initial gender transition-remains limited despite its increasing visibility in society and healthcare settings. While previous studies with adults identified the reasons and experience of detransition as heterogenous, researchers have not developed clear, empirically-validated concepts to examine these phenomena. This study used latent class analysis to characterize distinct detransition experiences among 957 adolescents and adults (aged 16-74 years; 78.8% assigned female at birth; AFAB) living in the USA (73.6%) and Canada (26.4%). Using self-reported reasons for detransition as indicator variables, we identified four distinct detransition classes. Participants rated factors using Likert scales, allowing quantitative assessment of each dimension's influence on their detransition pathway. Class A (n = 316, 14.6% Transgender/Gender-Diverse (TGD) identity, 89.9% AFAB) strongly endorsed mental health-related factors and changes in self-identity, with moderately high scores on dissatisfaction with treatment. Class B (n = 186, 62.4% TGD identity, 87.1% AFAB) scored moderately high on satisfaction with treatments and in changing self-identity. Class C (n = 182, 62.3% TGD identity, 75.8% AFAB) strongly endorsed discrimination and interpersonal factors and had moderate scores in additional dimensions. Class D (n = 273; 95.3% TGD identity, 62.3% AFAB) strongly endorsed discrimination, and had moderate scores in healthcare access barriers. The prevalence of medical transition across the four classes ranged between 62.9 and 65.8%. Transfeminine, AMAB participants were more frequently typed into classes strongly reporting discrimination. Findings illustrated that detransition is driven by multidimensional factors and can occur alongside regret and satisfaction with transition-related decisions. Future research is required to develop rigorous conceptual frameworks for studying detransition and gender identity development among gender-diverse populations.