title: Childhood maltreatment in subjects with male-to-female gender identity disorder.
abstract: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is quite common and constitutes a nonspecific risk factor for a range of different psychiatric symptoms during lifespan. It has been demonstrated that sexual minorities are at higher risk of maltreatment and abuse, and a high proportion of transsexual subjects report CM. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of reported CM in a clinical sample of patients with male-to-female Gender Identity Disorder (MtF GID), and to explore the relationship between these early life events, body image and different psychopathological and clinical variables. A consecutive series of 162 patients with male genotype was evaluated from July 2008 to May 2010. A total of 109 subjects (mean age 36 ± 10 years) meeting the criteria for MtF GID and giving their informed consent were considered. The occurrence of CM experiences was evaluated through a face-to-face clinical interview. Patients were asked to complete the Body Uneasiness Test and Symptom Checklist-90 Revised. More than one-fourth of patients reported CM. Maltreated subjects reported a higher body dissatisfaction and display a worse lifetime mental health. The presence of reported CM in these patients has relevant psychopathological implications, and therefore should be carefully investigated.
authors.affiliation: Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bandini
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ricca
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ristori
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Meriggiola
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Jannini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manieri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Corona
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monami
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fanni
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galleni
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Forti
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mannucci
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000523:psychology*