Social Adjustment in Mothers of Children with Gender Identity

Abstract

Background and purpose: Gender dysphoria is a disorder that causes problems for families and societies. This research compared the level of social adjustment between mothers of transgender children and mothers of normal children. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether having a transgender child has or has not a negative effect on social adjustment of mothers. This research compared the level of social adjustment between mothers of transgender children and mothers of normal children. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether having a transgender child has or has not a negative effect on social adjustment of mothers. Materials and methods: In a case-control study 80 mothers with transgender teenagers (n= 40) and normal children (n= 40) were randomly selected from those attending Tehran Psychiatry Institute. The Social Adjustment Scale (Weissman & Paykel) was used which investigates social adjustment in seven main areas. Results: The results showed a significant difference between social adjustment in mothers of transgender children and mothers of normal children (P<0.001). We found no significant difference between social adjustment and demographic variables, age, mothers’ age, length of marriage, mothers’ educational level, number of children, and birth order. Conclusion: In this study social adjustment of mothers of transgender children was less than that of mothers with normal children.

Keywords

• social adjustment
• transgender
• family
• mother