Comparative Study of the Psychological Distress and Suicidal Behaviors among Gender Dysphoria with Applicant for Surgery, Surgery with Normal People

Afshari, Ali

doi:10.30473/hpj.2025.72602.6127

Document Type : Scientific Research

Author

Ali Afshari

Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Science, University of Maragheh, Maragheh.

10.30473/hpj.2025.72602.6127

Abstract

Objective: Sexual dissatisfaction is a group of disorders whose main symptom is a persistent preference for playing the role of the opposite sex and having the feeling that the patient was born with the wrong sex, and this wrongness is very anxiety-provoking and a cause of depression for these people. In most cases, these people try to change their sex, which is unacceptable by society and family and can cause many problems for the individual. The aim of the present study was to compare psychological distress and suicidal behaviors among gender dissatisfied patients who applied for surgery, underwent surgery, and normal individuals. Method: The present study was a causal comparative study. The statistical population included all surgical candidates, those who underwent surgery, and 90 normal subjects (30 subjects for each group). In order to collect research data, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (Lavibond and Lavibond, 1995), the Suicidality Questionnaire (Beck, 1961), and the Revised Suicide Questionnaire (Osman et al., 2001) were used. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to analyze the data using SPSS version 22 software. Results: Based on the results obtained, there is a significant difference between the surgical candidate and normal subjects in all three variables of anxiety, stress, and depression. There is also a significant difference between suicidal thoughts and attempts during life between the applicant and normal groups and between the normal and surgical groups (P <0.05). There is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups and between the normal and surgical groups in the frequency of suicide attempts in the past year (P <0.05). There is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups and between the normal and surgical groups in the threat of suicide (P <0.05). There is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups in the probability of attempting suicide in the future (P <0.05). Finally, there is a significant difference between the applicant and surgical groups and between the normal and surgical groups in suicidal thoughts (P <0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that correct diagnosis and gender reassignment among gender dysphoric individuals can have a positive effect on mental health and reduce suicidal behaviors .

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Comparative Study of the Psychological Distress and Suicidal Behaviors among Gender Dysphoria with Applicant for Surgery, Surgery with Normal People

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Volume 14, Issue 55November 2025Pages 27-40

Volume 14, Issue 55
November 2025
Pages 27-40