SELF-IMAGE AND PERSONALITY-TRAITS IN GENDER IDENTITY DISORDERS - AN EMPIRICAL-STUDY

Self-image and personality traits, measured by SASB and SCID screen re spectively, were compared between transsexuals, patients diagnosed as Gender Identity Disorders of Adolescence and Adulthood, Non-transsexua l Type (GIDAANT), and normal control. Transsexual and GIDAANT patients differed significantly in both their self-image and personality trait s. While both the transsexuals' and controls' self-images were positiv e with self-love, the GIDAANT patients had a negative self-image. On t he SCID screen, the GIDAANT group fulfilled 39.8% of all axis II crite ria; transsexuals fulfilled 28.6% versus 17.1% for the control group. Mean GAF scores (axis V) were 62, 70, and 83, respectively. For all pa tients a more negative self-image was significantly related to lower s ocial functioning according to GAF and to more personality pathology a ccording to SCID screen. The prevalence of additional clinical axis I and II disorders was about twice as high among GIDAANT patients as amo ng transsexual. Although the two conditions are closely related, we fo und more differences than similarities in the studied aspects and a cl ear tendency that the GIDAANT patients had more psychopathology overal l. Although the transsexuals also differed significantly in some aspec ts from the controls, they showed less personality pathology and they had a normal self-image. Negative self-image, high degree of fulfilled axis II criteria, and low GAF scores seem to be corresponding factors and in this study clearly differentiate transsexuals from GIDAANT pat ients.