Body image and transsexualism.
BACKGROUND
To achieve a detailed view of the body image of transsexual patients, an assessment of perception, attitudes and experiences about one's own body is necessary. To date, research on the body image of transsexual patients has mostly covered body dissatisfaction with respect to body perception.


METHODS
We investigated 23 preoperative (16 male-to-female and 7 female-to-male transsexual patients) and 22 postoperative (14 male-to-female and 8 female-to-male) transsexual patients using a validated psychological measure for body image variables.


RESULTS
We found that preoperative transsexual patients were insecure and felt unattractive because of concerns about their body image. However, postoperative transsexual patients scored high on attractiveness and self-confidence. Furthermore, postoperative transsexual patients showed low scores for insecurity and concerns about their body.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate an improvement of body image concerns for transsexual patients following standards of care for gender identity disorder. Follow-up studies are recommended to confirm the assumed positive outcome of standards of care on body image.
Kraemer
Bernd
B
Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. bernd.kraemer@usz.ch
Delsignore
Aba
A
Schnyder
Ulrich
U
Hepp
Urs
U
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*