Body image and psychosocial outcomes in youth and young adults with differences of sex development: a multi-method study.
J Pediatr Psychol
; 49(7): 512-523, 2024 Jul 01.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38867313
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Differences of sex development (DSD) can affect the physical health, appearance, and psychosocial functioning of affected individuals, but little is known about how subjective appearance perceptions (body image) impact psychosocial outcomes. This study evaluated body image and its associations with psychosocial outcomes including quality of life, resilience, and psychosocial adjustment.METHODS:
This cross-sectional, multi-method study assessed body image and psychosocial outcomes including quality of life, adjustment, and resilience in 97 youth and young adults with DSD (mean age = 17 ± 3.7 years; 56% assigned female in infancy) using psychometrically sound instruments. A subsample (n = 40) completed qualitative interviews.RESULTS:
Quantitative results indicated that overall, participants were satisfied with their physical appearance, although less so with their primary sex characteristics. Body image dissatisfaction was associated with poorer psychosocial adjustment, quality of life, and resilience. Qualitatively, youth and young adults reported a variety of perceptions, both positive and negative, related to their body image and the impact of living with a DSD condition. Themes identified included appearance management; effects of DSD on body image; diagnostic factors and features; attitudes about diagnosis; and treatment.CONCLUSIONS:
Body image is significantly associated with psychosocial outcomes in youth and young adults with DSD, with qualitative findings highlighting both positive and negative body image experiences. Results have implications for clinical care including screening for appearance concerns, normalization of appearance variations, and intervention development to better support healthy body image and psychosocial functioning in youth and young adults with DSD.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Quality of Life
/
Disorders of Sex Development
/
Body Image
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
J Pediatr Psychol
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos