IPA study of Gender Dysphoria in Autism
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An exploration of the experiences of identity and resilience in adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Gender Dysphoria (GD) who have not surgically transitioned: An Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study
IRAS ID
300612
Contact name
Michelle Oliver
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research Summary
This study was developed to help to understand/explore the experience of Gender Dysphoria (the distress caused by feeling that you are the wrong gender) in adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who were assigned female at birth (AFAB): a group that has had little opportunity to voice their views in current research. We hope to look at their experiences of identifying (or not) with social groups and how they feel about their own identity. Lastly, by gaining an understanding of what supports this group’s resilience, we hope to understand more about how to support them.
The study will invite adolescents (12-18 years old), who were AFAB, who have ASD and feel that their physical gender does not fit with their gender identity to participate in a one-off interview, lasting approximately 1 hour via MS Teams. There will be an opportunity to use audio or text chat to communicate.
Those who wish to take part will be given information which clearly tells them what will happen in the research process. They will also have an opportunity to speak with the researcher before taking part. Only after they (and their parents, if required) have consented, will they be offered an online interview time.
The research is conducted by a trainee doctoral student from the University of Edinburgh, in conjunction with NHS Forth Valley. Participants may be recruited from several NHS sites and through two private clinics. Participants may also be from the community and can self-refer into the research.
The results of this study will be submitted as part of the researcher’s doctoral thesis. After this, the researcher intends to publish the paper in a journal that can be accessed freely by everyone.
It is hoped that healthcare staff will be able to use the information to support their practice.Summary of Results
Gender dysphoria (GD) is a distress people feel when the sex they were assigned at birth does not align with their experienced/expressed gender identity. Very little is known about how this is experienced by autistic individuals, particularly during their adolescent years when socialising and identity exploration are typically key areas of development. We do know that autistic people labelled female at birth display higher than average levels of suicidality than those labelled male or those in the general population. As such, we aimed to increase our understanding of their experiences to better support these individuals. To do this we interviewed 5 individuals who were autistic, had been labelled at birth as female and had gender dysphoria. We used semi-structured interviews focusing on gender dysphoria, identity and their resilience. We analysed the data using a qualitative approach called interpretative phenomenological analysis. Five main themes arose; “Having both autism and GD”, “Finding where I belong”, “Being more than labels”, “Trying to cope” and “Making support successful”. Our findings add to the current literature and theory regarding the experience of autism and gender dysphoria and highlight ways in which healthcare approaches and policy can increase accessibility and suitability of care.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 1
REC reference
21/WS/0137
Date of REC Opinion
13 Dec 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion