Analyzing the Relationship between Feelings of Gender Dysphoria and Psychological and Social Maladjustment in Elementary and Middle School Students: Determining Cut-Off Points for the Feelings of Gender Dysphoria Scale

Abstract

This study seeks to clarify psychological and social maladjustments in children who exhibit strong feelings of gender dysphoria (GD). This study surveyed 58 people who experience persistent feelings of and have been diagnosed with GD as well as 5,221 students (grades 4–9). The GD group answered questions about their feelings during childhood. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed 20 points to be the cut-off on the scale. Moreover, 0.82% of boys and 2.02% of girls in elementary schools and 0.60% of boys and 3.27% of girls in middle schools scored over 20. Compared to others, these students displayed higher rates of depression, aggression, peer problems, a desire for thinness, bulimia, self-injury, and delinquent behaviors. Specifically, boys with stronger feelings of GD showed a higher rate of peer problems and abnormal eating behaviors when compared to girls. Therefore, this essay discusses how psychological and social maladjustments are mediated by personal relationships.