What is the assessment for Gender Identity Disorder (Gender Dysphoria) using the Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (GIDYQ - Adult Version)?

From the Guidelines

The assessment for Gender Identity Disorder (Gender Dysphoria) using the Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (GIDYQ - Adult Version) is a crucial tool in evaluating the degree and specific domains of gender dysphoria experienced by an individual, guiding treatment planning and decisions about psychological support, hormone therapy, or surgical interventions. The GIDYQ is a standardized assessment tool used to evaluate gender dysphoria in individuals, measuring gender identity and gender dysphoria across multiple domains including subjective indicators, social indicators, somatic indicators, and sociolegal indicators 1. Respondents rate their experiences over a specified period on a scale, and the questionnaire has demonstrated good psychometric properties with high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing between individuals with and without gender dysphoria. Key aspects of the assessment include:

• Evaluating the degree and specific domains of gender dysphoria
• Guiding treatment planning, including decisions about psychological support, hormone therapy, or surgical interventions
• Administration and interpretation by qualified mental health professionals with experience in gender identity issues
• Use as part of a comprehensive assessment process, not as a standalone diagnostic instrument It is essential to note that the GIDYQ should be used in conjunction with other assessment tools and clinical evaluations to ensure a comprehensive understanding of an individual's gender dysphoria and treatment needs, as highlighted in recent studies on transgender medicine 1.

From the Research

Assessment of Gender Identity Disorder (Gender Dysphoria)

The assessment of Gender Identity Disorder (Gender Dysphoria) can be conducted using the Gender Identity/Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (GIDYQ - Adult Version). The GIDYQ-AA is a 27-item scale that measures gender dysphoria in adolescents and adults.

Psychometric Properties of GIDYQ-AA

• The GIDYQ-AA has high internal consistency, with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.97 2 and 0.89 3.
• The questionnaire has a one-factor solution, accounting for 61.3% of the total variance 2.
• The GIDYQ-AA has strong evidence for discriminant validity, with gender identity patients having significantly more gender dysphoria than heterosexual and nonheterosexual university students 2.
• Using a cut-point of 3.00, the sensitivity was 90.4% for gender identity patients and specificity was 99.7% for controls 2.

Comparison with Other Instruments

• The GIDYQ-AA was compared to the Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale (UGDS) in a multicenter study, and both instruments were found to capture similar and different aspects of gender dysphoria 4.
• The UGDS focuses on bodily aspects, gender identity, and gender role, while the GIDYQ-AA addresses subjective, somatic, social, and sociolegal aspects 4.

Validation Studies

• The GIDYQ-AA was validated in a sample of Chinese adolescents and young adults, with high internal consistency and a four-factor structure 3.
• The questionnaire was also validated in a study of adolescents and adults with gender identity disorder, with excellent sensitivity and specificity rates 5.

Clinical Utility

• The GIDYQ-AA can be used to assess gender dysphoria in clinical populations, including those with gender identity disorder 2, 5.
• The questionnaire can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of gender-affirming hormone therapy on gender dysphoria and quality of life 6.