title: A network analysis of body satisfaction of people with gender dysphoria.
abstract: In gender dysphoria (GD), much of the experienced distress results from body dissatisfaction. The current study analyzed the configuration of body satisfaction in trans men and women using network analysis. In total, 485 individuals diagnosed with GD from four European countries, applying for medical treatment, filled out the Body Image Scale for Transsexuals. A six-factor model reflecting different body areas was confirmed via confirmatory factor analysis. A further configuration of body satisfaction was modelled using correlation network analysis techniques in R. Genital dissatisfaction showed limited connection with other body areas in comparison to other subscales. Body characteristics influencing social gender recognition were most centrally involved in body (dis)satisfaction in both natal sexes. In trans women these characteristics were related mostly to voice and hair, whereas in trans men these characteristics were related to muscularity and posture. Focusing on these socially influential body characteristics may provide important targets for transgender healthcare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive & Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: van de Grift
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Cohen-Kettenis
authors.affiliation: Center of Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Elaut
authors.affiliation: Center of Sexology and Gender, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Cuypere
authors.affiliation: Department of Sex Research and Forensic Psychiatry, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Richter-Appelt
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Haraldsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Psychology, Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: b.kreukels@vumc.nl.
authors.forename: B P C
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Kreukels
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001577:Benzophenones; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D000068116:Gender Dysphoria / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D000067029:Physical Appearance, Body; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001577:Benzophenones; C036630:G 1026
keywords: Body satisfaction; Gender dysphoria; Network analysis; Transgender