What kind of dysphoria? Bodily and social dysphoria in the narratives of transgender and nonbinary Individuals

Introduction: Gender dysphoria, understood as the discomfort that can be associated with a mismatch between one's assigned gender at birth and their experienced gender identity, has traditionally been conceptualized and assessed through a clinical and medical lens, which has focused on the bodily dimension of incongruence and dissatisfaction. This perspective underpins the main clinical scales and research tools used, which recent studies show are seen as inadequate by many transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) individuals, especially those with a nonbinary gender identity. The present study aims to develop a new scale for assessing gender dysphoria within the TGNB population, with a focus on an in-depth exploration of its dimensions, especially the interplay between bodily and social aspects. Methods: Two focus groups were conducted with transgender men and women (N = 4) and nonbinary (N = 4) young adults. Results: The descriptions of gender dysphoria provided by participants varied widely, ranging from solely bodily experiences and bodily discomfort elicited by social interactions to distress strictly linked to social contexts, gender stereotypes, and expectations, including experiences of misgendering and identity invalidation. Differences between the two groups were observed, with a prevalence of bodily dysphoria experiences in the first group and social dysphoria in the second. Discussion: A broader understanding of the experience of gender dysphoria, informed by the voices of those who directly experience it, proves fundamental in both research and clinical settings. It is essential to move towards a more comprehensive assessment that captures all dimensions of gender dysphoria in their complexity and towards a treatment that is more sensitive and tailored to individual needs.