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Sociodemographic Characteristics and Psychological Adjustment Among Transsexuals in Spain

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Abstract

This study examined the sociodemographic characteristics and the psychological adjustment of transsexuals in Andalusia (Spain), and also analyzed the differences between female-to-male (FtM) and male-to-female (MtF) transsexuals. The sample included 197 transsexuals (101 MtF and 96 FtM) selected from those who visited the Transsexual and Gender Identity Unit at the Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga between 2011 and 2012. Our analyses indicated that MtF transsexuals were more likely to have lower educational levels, live alone, have worked less frequently throughout their lifetime, and have engaged in prostitution. For FtM transsexuals, there were more frequent references to the mother’s psychiatric history and more social avoidance and distress. Multivariate analysis showed that the number of personality dysfunctional traits and unemployment status were associated with depression in the entire sample. The following three conclusions can be made: there are significant differences between MtF and FtM transsexuals (mainly related to sociodemographic variables), depression was high in both groups, and a remarkable percentage of transsexuals have attempted suicide (22.8 %) or have had suicidal thoughts (52.3 %).

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Project PI01-0447 and PI06-1339, funded by the Carlos III Health Institute. Ministry of Health, Social Affairs and Equality, Spain. Project PI07-0157 funded by the Ministry of Health and CTS546 by the Ministry of Innovation of the Andalusian Regional Government, Spain. Y.D.D.O. is a recipient of a contract from the Nicolas Monarde programme from the Andalusian Health Service, Ministry of Health, Andalusian Regional Government, Spain. We would like to acknowledge the cooperation of all the participants in this study as well as to all members of the TGIU. The author wishes to thank David W. E. Ramsden for valuable assistance correcting the English version of the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mental Health Department, Málaga Plaza Hospital, University Regional Hospital of Málaga, Civil s/n, 29009, Málaga, Spain

    José Guzmán-Parra, Nicolás Sánchez-Álvarez, Yolanda de Diego-Otero, Lucía Pérez-Costillas, Miriam Navais-Barranco & Trinidad Bergero-Miguel

  2. Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain

    José Guzmán-Parra, Nicolás Sánchez-Álvarez, Lucía Pérez-Costillas & Serafina Castro-Zamudio

  3. Grupo Andaluz de Investigación Psicosocial, Málaga, Spain

    José Guzmán-Parra

  4. Transsexual and Gender Identity Unit, Málaga, Spain

    Isabel Esteva de Antonio & Trinidad Bergero-Miguel

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  1. José Guzmán-Parra
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Correspondence to José Guzmán-Parra.

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Guzmán-Parra, J., Sánchez-Álvarez, N., de Diego-Otero, Y. et al. Sociodemographic Characteristics and Psychological Adjustment Among Transsexuals in Spain. Arch Sex Behav 45, 587–596 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-015-0557-6

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