PSYCHOLOGISTS AND PAEDIATRICIANS’ RESPONSE TO GENDER VARIANT CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS IN ITALY AND THE MODEL OF INTERVENTIONS

Introduction: Gender dysphoria (GD) in developmental age is a complex phenomenon that causes significant distress and needs clinical attention. Nowadays, studies on the prevalence of GD are scarce and consensus about the best clinical practice is currently under debate. In several countries, the number of patients referred to gender identity clinics is high and increasing. In Italy, the phenomenon is still hidden and the cases seen by the Italian centers are limited. Purpose: The aims are to explore the mental health professional response to these cases, to ascertain the knowledge and experience about GD of professionals, to explore the functioning of the Italian specialized centres and their network with other mental health professionals. Methods: An ad hoc questionnaire for professionals was constructed. The questionnaire explored number of cases seen, perceived knowledge about GD, perceptions and behaviors relating to gender identity shown by patients, if was offered direct care by the professional and/or referred to a specialized center. Furthermore, we performed some interviews to investigate the model of interventions of specialized centers and the network of these centres with other mental health professionals. Results: 432 answer were collected (185 psychologists, 192 psychotherapists, 55 paediatricians) and 10 interviews were performed. The cases reported consisted of 200 children (age 2-11) and 174 adolescents (age 12-19). Most professionals indicated that they had scarce knowledge about GD, cases described presented features in line with DSM-5 criteria, referrals to specialized services were rare. Regarding specialized centers, we noticed a difference in the management of cases and a great willingness to collaborate with professionals. Conclusion: Responses highlighted the perception of poor knowledge on GD by professionals and the scarce use of referral to specialized centers. This may mean that the phenomenon receives less attention than it deserves.