Sociodemographic variables, clinical features, and the role of preassessment cross-sex hormones in older trans people

Bouman, Walter Pierre, Claes, Laurence, Marshall, Ellen, Pinner, Gill T., Longworth, Julia, Maddox, Victoria, Witcomb, Gemma, Jimenez-Murcia, Susana, Fernandez-Aranda, Fernando and Arcelus, Jon (2016) Sociodemographic variables, clinical features, and the role of preassessment cross-sex hormones in older trans people. Journal of Sexual Medicine . ISSN 1743-6109 (In Press)

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Abstract

Introduction: As referrals to gender identity clinics have increased dramatically over the last few years, no studies focusing on older trans people seeking treatment are available.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of older trans people attending a national service and to investigate the influence of cross-sex hormones (CHT) on psychopathology.

Methods: Individuals over the age of 50 years old referred to a national gender identity clinic during a 30-month period were invited to complete a battery of questionnaires to measure psychopathology and clinical characteristics. Individuals on cross-sex hormones prior to the assessment were compared with those not on treatment for different variables measuring psychopathology.

Main Outcome Measures: Sociodemographic and clinical variables and measures of depression and anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), victimization (Experiences of Transphobia Scale), social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), interpersonal functioning (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems), and nonsuicidal self-injury (Self-Injury Questionnaire).

Results: The sex ratio of trans females aged 50 years and older compared to trans males was 23.7:1. Trans males were removed for the analysis due to their small number (n ¼ 3). Participants included 71 trans females over the age of 50, of whom the vast majority were white, employed or retired, and divorced and had children. Trans females on CHT who came out as trans and transitioned at an earlier age were significantly less anxious, reported higher levels of self-esteem, and presented with fewer socialization problems. When controlling for socialization problems, differences in levels of anxiety but not self-esteem remained.

Conclusion: The use of cross-sex hormones prior to seeking treatment is widespread among older trans females and appears to be associated with psychological benefits. Existing barriers to access CHT for older trans people may need to be re-examined.

Item Type: Article
RIS ID: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/775821
Additional Information: This is the pre-peer-reviewed version of the following article: Bouman, W.P., Claes,L, Marshall, E., Pinner, G.T., Longworth, J., Maddox, V., Witcomb, G., Jimenez-Murcia, S., Fernandez-Aranda, F., Arcelus, J. Sociodemographic variables, clinical features, and the role of preassessment cross-sex hormones in older trans people. Elsevier, 2016, which has been published in final form at doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.01.009.
Keywords: Gender Dysphoria; Transsexualism; Aging; Midlife and Beyond; Mental Health; Hormone Treatment; Self-Esteem; Social Support
Schools/Departments: University of Nottingham, UK > Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > School of Medicine > Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2016.01.009
Depositing User: Airey, Ms Valerie
Date Deposited: 01 Mar 2016 15:20
Last Modified: 04 May 2020 17:36
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/32068

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