Long-Term Effects of Treatment for Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood

Abstract

To evaluate the durability of behavioral treatment effects for gender identity disorder of childhood. 29 prepubescent boys aged 4 to 13 years at initial referral were assessed by an independent clinical psychologist before any treatment was offered and again for follow-up at a mean of 4 years and 3 months later. Initial and follow-up clinical ratings on severity of cross-gender behavior and cross-gender identity were transformed into scores representing percentage of potential improvement. Regression analysis indicated that completion of individualized behavioral treatment significantly accounted for long-term improvement in both gender behavior and gender identity. Age in months at initiation of treatment, number of months of treatment received, number of months from initial assessment to follow-up, and full scale I.Q. were additional independent variables considered as potentially important in regard to treatment outcome. Younger subjects received more severe initial diagnoses, were more likely to have completed treatment, and showed the greatest improvement. This study provides the longest independent follow-up assessment of the behavioral treatment of male children with gender identity disorder.