Showing papers in "International Journal of Transgenderism in 2012"
TL;DR: This version of the SOC recognizes that treatment for gender dysphoria has become more individualized, and can be used to help patients consider the full range of health services open to them, in accordance with their clinical needs and goals for gender expression.
Abstract: The Standards of Care (SOC) for the Health of Transsexual, Transgender, and Gender Nonconforming People is a publication of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). The overall goal of the SOC is to provide clinical guidance for health professionals to assist transsexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming people with safe and effective pathways to achieving lasting personal comfort with their gendered selves, in order to maximize their overall health, psychological well-being, and self-fulfillment. This assistance may include primary care, gynecologic and urologic care, reproductive options, voice and communication therapy, mental health services (e.g., assessment, counseling, psychotherapy), and hormonal and surgical treatments. The SOC are based on the best available science and expert professional consensus. Because most of the research and experience in this field comes from a North American and Western European perspective, adaptations of the SOC to other parts ...
2,762 citations
TL;DR: Assessment of practice characteristics and potential legal risks to clinics utilizing the IC care model and assess for any known cases of regret by patients with respect to csHT found no related legal actions.
Abstract: Introduction: Some clinics have developed models for the initiation of cross sex hormone therapy (csHT) without an in-depth mental health evaluation and referral. These approaches have also been referred to as the informed consent (IC) model. Aims: (a) Survey practice characteristics of clinics utilizing the IC care model; (b) assess potential legal risks to clinics utilizing the IC care model; and (c) assess for any known cases of regret by patients with respect to csHT. Methods: (a) Convenience sample survey instrument distributed at professional conferences and online and (b) thorough online legal literature search. Results: Responses were obtained from 12 unique U.S. sites. Seventeen known cases of regret were reported across all sites. No cases of malpractice claims or judgments relating to regret about the use of csHT were reported. Only 4 of 12 sites required any contact with a mental health provider prior to initiation of csHT. A minimum number of visits prior to beginning treatment was r...
72 citations
TL;DR: Using the Life Chart Interview, a validated instrument for the collection of biographical data, lifetime information about transgender experiences was collected in a community-based sample of 571 transgender women from the New York metropolitan area.
Abstract: Using the Life Chart Interview, a validated instrument for the collection of biographical data, lifetime information about transgender experiences was collected in a community-based sample of 571 transgender women from the New York metropolitan area. Disclosures of transgender identity in different types of relationships, responses of relationship partners indicative of gender identity conflict or affirmation, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, major depression were assessed within and across five stages of the life course. Gender identity conflict/affirmation was associated with major depression within stages of the life course (contemporaneous analysis) and predictive of changes in major depression across stages of the life course (lagged analysis).
46 citations
TL;DR: Brown and Rounsley as mentioned in this paper examined the voices of male-to-female (MtF) transgender veterans and biological females that can result in identification or misidentification of biological gender.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the voices of male-to-female (MtF) transgender veterans and biological females that can result in identification or misidentification of biological gender. Twenty-one MtF transgender veterans and 9 cis-gender females were enrolled. The interaction of speaking fundamental frequency (SFo) and formant (resonatory) frequencies in gender discrimination was investigated. The results indicated that an average SFo above 180 Hz and maintaining a speaking pitch range of approximately 140 to 300 Hz appear to be the most powerful acoustic features or markers in the perception of a female voice in a biological male (M. L. Brown & Rounsley, 1996). An SFo of approximately 170 Hz appears to be the lower limit that would result in a biological male being perceived as having a female voice by most listeners. A slight elevation in the second (F2) and third (F3) formants was noted but does not appear to have a significant influence in the perception of a female voice in bio...
35 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that depression in trans people is a multifaceted condition, which is not easily explained by a single factor, and developing an understanding of such complexities may open the door to more sensitive and appropriate mental health care for trans people.
Abstract: Depression is a commonly occurring syndrome characterized by mood-related symptoms; however, it is understudied among trans people (transgender, transsexual, or transitioned). A review of the existing literature on depression revealed eight factors pertinent to trans communities including discrimination, disclosure, identity support, hormones and sex-reassignment surgeries, sociodemographics, socioeconomic factors, substance use, and access to health and social services. This report demonstrates that depression in trans people is a multifaceted condition, which is not easily explained by a single factor. Developing an understanding of such complexities may open the door to more sensitive and appropriate mental health care for trans people.
32 citations
TL;DR: In this article, comments about Blanchard's theory of male-to-female (MtF) transsexualism were collected through an anonymous questionnaire from a convenience sample of 170 mostly White/European Internet-using MtF transsexuals.
Abstract: Ray Blanchard presented a theory of male-to-female (MtF) transsexualism based on a typology, classifying MtF transsexuals as autogynephilic or homosexual. This theory has produced much debate, and many transsexuals have disagreed with it. In this research, comments about Blanchard's theory were collected through an anonymous questionnaire from a convenience sample of 170 mostly White/European Internet-using MtF transsexuals. Positive responses to the theory were given by 15.9% of participants, 31.9% gave neutral responses, and 52.2% gave negative responses. The most common theme of the responses was that the theory was too narrow and restrictive. Other common themes were that the theory was simply wrong, did not apply to the participant's experience, was not acceptable, was not important, only applied to cross-dressers, and suggested underlying motives of the researcher. Some participants reported that they had experienced autogynephilia, and some reported changes of their sexual orientation. Giv...
18 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a case study examined resiliency factors in the lives of three transsexual women of Mexican ethnic origin who worked as entertainers throughout Texas and found unique stories of resilience that clustered around themes of recognizing accountability, self-acceptance, family cohesiveness, spirituality, improvisational talent, and integrating womanhood with a transsexual identity.
Abstract: This multiple case study examined resiliency factors in the lives of 3 transsexual woman of Mexican ethnic origin who worked as entertainers throughout Texas. Data were collected through personal interviews with each participant, direct and indirect observations of their performances as entertainers, and exploring the artifacts that represented resiliency for their lives. Results indicated unique stories of resilience that clustered around themes of recognizing accountability, self-acceptance, family cohesiveness, spirituality, improvisational talent, and integrating womanhood with a transsexual identity. These findings are particularly useful for conceptualizing strengths-based approaches in social and mental health practice for the transgender community.
11 citations