Background:

In the DSM-5 diagnosis of childhood Gender Dysphoria, two of the eight criteria focus on body satisfaction of the child. Nevertheless, this subject is understudied. This study aims to describe the body image of children with gender incongruence (GI) in relation to birth assigned sex and the intensity of GI.

Method:

Self-report and parent-report measures on body satisfaction and gender incongruence were obtained from 207 children (<12 years) who were referred to the Center of Expertise on Gender Dysphoria at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers, location VUmc, between 2010 and 2016. First, a general description of body satisfaction in children who took part in this study is provided. Secondly, body image of birth assigned boys and girls are compared using chi-square tests and univariate ANCOVA’s. Thirdly, the association between intensity of GI and body image is examined using multiple linear regression analyses.

Results:

Of the 207 children with GI, 50% reported dissatisfaction with their gender-specific characteristics. Overall, children were less dissatisfied with their neutral body characteristics. Birth assigned girls report greater dissatisfaction with their body characteristics than birth assigned boys. Intensity of GI was significantly related to satisfaction with gender specific body characteristics where a greater intensity of GI relates to more body dissatisfaction.

Conclusion:

Mental health practitioners should be aware of the diversity in body dissatisfaction in this group. Furthermore, evaluation of body image should be an important topic in the counseling of these children. Future research should focus on the relation of body dissatisfaction and the development of gender incongruent feelings in children with GI.

中文翻译：

---

性别不一致儿童的身体意象

背景：

在儿童性别焦虑症的 DSM-5 诊断中，八个标准中有两个关注儿童的身体满意度。然而，这个主题没有得到充分研究。本研究旨在描述与出生性别和 GI 强度相关的性别不一致 (GI) 儿童的身体形象。

方法：

2010 年至 2016 年期间，从 207 名儿童（<12 岁）获得了关于身体满意度和性别不一致的自我报告和家长报告，这些儿童被转诊至阿姆斯特丹大学医学中心（位于 VUmc）的性别不安专业中心。首先，提供了参与本研究的儿童身体满意度的一般描述。其次，使用卡方检验和单变量 ANCOVA 比较指定出生男孩和女孩的身体形象。第三，使用多元线性回归分析检查 GI 强度与身体图像之间的关联。

结果：

在 207 名 GI 儿童中，50% 报告对其性别特征不满意。总体而言，儿童对其中性身体特征的不满程度较低。与出生指定的男孩相比，出生指定的女孩对自己的身体特征更不满意。GI 的强度与对特定性别的身体特征的满意度显着相关，其中 GI 的强度越大，对身体的不满就越多。

结论：

心理健康从业者应该意识到这一群体对身体不满的多样性。此外，身体形象的评估应该是这些儿童咨询中的一个重要课题。未来的研究应侧重于胃肠道儿童身体不满与性别不一致情绪发展的关系。