Comparison of Depression, Suicidal Thoughts and Social Support between Transsexuals with and without Gender Change

Asma Naderi Ashkeftaki

Abstract: Objectives: Social acceptance of people with gender identity disorder in society is very difficult and this condition can lead to depression and suicidal thoughts. On the other hand, social support has a great impact on the psychological factors of these people. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of comparing depression, suicidal thoughts and social support between transsexuals with and without gender change. Instruments & Methods: This descriptive research of causal-comparative type was conducted among 60 members of transsexuals with gender change (30 people) and without gender change (30 people) of Iran's Association for the Support of Gender Bored Patients, who were selected by available sampling method. and completed the Beck depression, Beck suicidal thoughts and Sherbon and Stewart social support questionnaires. Data analysis was done by SPSS 24 software and using multivariate analysis of variance test. Findings: The mean scores of the variables of depression and suicidal thoughts in the transsexual group without gender change were higher than the transsexual group with gender change, but in the variable of social support, the transsexual group with gender change had a higher average score. There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of suicidal thoughts and social support variables (p=0.01), but no significant difference was observed in terms of depression variable (p>0.0) Conclusion: In both groups of transsexuals with and without gender reassignment, there is a moderate level of depression and suicidal thoughts, but transsexuals without gender reassignment have more suicidal thoughts and transsexuals with gender reassignment are more likely to seek social support.

Keywords: depression, suicidal thoughts, social support, transsexual, gender change

Edition: Volume 12 Issue 1, January 2023,

Pages: 181 - 186