The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in adults: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Kate Cooper, Ailsa Russell, William Mandy, Catherine Butler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

87 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Gender dysphoria is distress due to a discrepancy between one's assigned gender and gender identity. Adults who wish to access gender clinics are assessed to ensure they meet the diagnostic criteria for gender dysphoria. Therefore, the definition of gender dysphoria has a significant impact on the lives of individuals who wish to undergo physical gender transition. This systematic review aimed to identify and synthesize all existing qualitative research literature about the lived experience of gender dysphoria in adults. A pre-planned systematic search identified 1491 papers, with 20 of those meeting full inclusion criteria, and a quality assessment of each paper was conducted. Data pertaining to the lived experience of gender dysphoria were extracted from each paper and a meta-ethnographic synthesis was conducted. Four overarching concepts were identified; distress due to dissonance of assigned and experienced gender; interface of assigned gender, gender identity and society; social consequences of gender identity; internal processing of rejection, and transphobia. A key finding was the reciprocal relationship between an individual's feelings about their gender and societal responses to transgender people. Other subthemes contributing to distress were misgendering, mismatch between gender identity and societal expectations, and hypervigilance for transphobia.

Original languageEnglish
Article number101875
JournalClinical Psychology Review
Volume80
Early online date11 Jun 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 31 Aug 2020

Funding

Kate Cooper is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship for this research project. Kate Cooper is funded by a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship for this research project. The NIHR had no role in the study design, collection, analysis or interpretation of the data, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the paper for publication. This publication presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Keywords

  • Gender diversity
  • Gender dysphoria
  • Mental health
  • Psychological distress
  • Transgender

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Psychology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The phenomenology of gender dysphoria in adults: A systematic review and meta-synthesis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this