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Psychological testing with transsexuals: a 30-year review
Journal of Personality Assessment
|October 1, 1984
Summary
This review of psychological testing for transsexualism highlights the need for improved research methods. Current approaches must align with clinical realities and evolving understandings of gender identity.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Critically reviews over three decades of psychological testing in transsexualism research.
- Analyzes 41 published studies focusing on methodology and control groups.
Observation:
- Identifies a critical juncture in transsexual research, necessitating a re-evaluation of current practices.
- Highlights the "hit or miss" nature of existing psychological testing protocols.
Findings:
- Current psychological testing lacks integration with the clinical phenomenon of transsexualism.
- Suggests a need to incorporate newer conceptualizations, such as transsexualism as a variant of borderline pathology.
Implications:
- Recommends a shift towards more relevant and clinically grounded psychological assessment for transsexual individuals.
- Calls for research to align with contemporary understandings of gender identity and related psychological constructs.