From the Research
The Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire for Adolescents and Adults (GIDYQ-AA) is a standardized assessment tool used to evaluate gender dysphoria in individuals aged 12 and older, as supported by the most recent study in 2021 1.
Assessment Overview
This 27-item questionnaire measures gender identity and gender dysphoria across multiple domains including:
- Subjective indicators (personal wishes or thoughts)
- Social indicators (living or being treated as the desired gender)
- Somatic indicators (discomfort with primary or secondary sex characteristics)
- Sociolegal indicators (steps taken to change legal documents or name) Respondents rate their experiences over the past 12 months on a 5-point scale ranging from 1 (always) to 5 (never), with lower scores indicating greater gender dysphoria.
Psychometric Properties
The GIDYQ-AA has demonstrated good psychometric properties with high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between individuals with and without gender dysphoria, as shown in a study from 2007 2.
Clinical Use
Clinicians use this tool as part of a comprehensive assessment process, not as a standalone diagnostic instrument. The questionnaire helps inform treatment planning by quantifying the degree of gender dysphoria experienced across different life domains, though clinical judgment and patient self-report remain essential components of gender-affirming care.
Validation and Reliability
The GIDYQ-AA has been validated in various studies, including a 2021 study that assessed its psychometric properties in a sample of Chinese adolescents and young adults 1, and a 2016 study that compared it to the Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale (UGDS) 3.
Limitations and Future Directions
While the GIDYQ-AA is a useful tool for assessing gender dysphoria, its subjective ratings have been found to be relatively low, with only about half of participants agreeing or strongly agreeing that the scale captures their experience 4. Further research is needed to improve the scale and increase its validity and reliability.