{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,8]],"date-time":"2026-10-08T23:31:59Z","timestamp":1791502319697,"version":"4.3.4"},"reference-count":58,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,20]],"date-time":"2020-11-20T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1605830400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Body dissatisfaction in individuals with Gender Incongruence (GI) represents a primary source of suffering. Several studies have highlighted how this suffering has psychological, physical, and biological implications. This work aims to explore experiences related to body dissatisfaction and investigate the issues associated with living in a body perceived as incongruent for individuals with GI. Thirty-six individuals, aged between 18 and 30 years old and at stage T0 of hormone treatment, participated in the study. Body dissatisfaction and experiences related to it were investigated using the Clinical Diagnostic Interview. The Consensual Qualitative Research methodology was applied to the transcripts of the interviews. Several themes emerged: experiences with GI development, experiences with puberty and bodily changes, perception of one\u2019s body, psychological problems and complex behavioral patterns related to body dissatisfaction. Results pointed out the complexity implied in the relationship with one\u2019s body for individuals with GI, highlighting specific aspects of body dissatisfaction among these individuals (e.g., eating disorders, sexual difficulties, social withdrawal). This study underlines the need for a deeper understanding of some aspects of GI to better define guidelines for a correct assessment of it. In this way it will be easier to avoid negative outcomes for the psychological and general health of transgender people.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm9113733","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,20]],"date-time":"2020-11-20T09:46:18Z","timestamp":1605865578000},"page":"3733","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":48,"title":["The Body I Live in. Perceptions and Meanings of Body Dissatisfaction in Young Transgender Adults: A Qualitative Study"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"9","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9720-3781","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marta","family":"Mirabella","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Roma, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Guido","family":"Giovanardi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Roma, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5543-3805","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alexandro","family":"Fortunato","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Roma, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4666-0971","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giulia","family":"Senofonte","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratory of Seminology, Sperm Bank \u201cLoredana Gandini,\u201d Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6943-2966","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Francesco","family":"Lombardo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Laboratory of Seminology, Sperm Bank \u201cLoredana Gandini,\u201d Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vittorio","family":"Lingiardi","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Roma, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-8988-2940","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Anna Maria","family":"Speranza","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Roma, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,20]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"1012","article-title":"Gender identity disorder and eating disorders: Similarities and differences in terms of body uneasiness","volume":"10","author":"Bandini","year":"2013","journal-title":"Int. J. Impot. Res."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5\u00ae), American Psychiatric Pub.","DOI":"10.1176\/appi.books.9780890425596"},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2018). International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11). ICD-11 Is Here, World Health Organization. BlockL1-HA6."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"559","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-015-0527-z","article-title":"Body image in young gender dysphoric adults: A European multi-center study","volume":"45","author":"Becker","year":"2016","journal-title":"Arch. Sex. Behav."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.3109\/09540261.2015.1089217","article-title":"Body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating in trans people: A systematic review of the literature","volume":"28","author":"Jones","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. Rev. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"96","DOI":"10.1016\/j.bodyim.2016.06.004","article-title":"Body image in transgender young people: Findings from a qualitative, community-based study","volume":"18","author":"McGuire","year":"2016","journal-title":"Body Image"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"300","DOI":"10.1080\/10640266.2012.668482","article-title":"Disordered eating and gender identity disorder: A qualitative study","volume":"20","author":"Alanko","year":"2012","journal-title":"Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"364","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-008-9424-z","article-title":"Eating and body image disturbances in male-to-female and female-to-male transsexuals","volume":"38","author":"Vocks","year":"2009","journal-title":"Arch. Sex. Behav."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"287","DOI":"10.1002\/erv.2362","article-title":"Body image dissatisfaction and eating-related psychopathology in trans individuals: A matched control study","volume":"23","author":"Witcomb","year":"2015","journal-title":"Eur. Eat. Disord. Rev."},{"key":"ref_10","unstructured":"Serano, J. (2016). Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity, Hachette."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"473","DOI":"10.1002\/eat.10090","article-title":"Gender identity disorder and eating disorders","volume":"32","author":"Hepp","year":"2002","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"70","DOI":"10.1080\/10640266.2013.741989","article-title":"Diverging eating psychopathology in transgendered eating disorder patients: A report of two cases","volume":"21","author":"Murray","year":"2013","journal-title":"Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"54","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eatbeh.2015.03.012","article-title":"Prolonged anorexia nervosa associated with female-to-male gender dysphoria: A case report","volume":"18","author":"Turan","year":"2015","journal-title":"Eat. Behav."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.1002\/eat.20013","article-title":"Anorexia nervosa and gender identity disorder in biologic males: A report of two cases","volume":"36","author":"Winston","year":"2004","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"449","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1098-108X(199812)24:4<449::AID-EAT14>3.0.CO;2-W","article-title":"Eating disorder in a transgendered patient: A case report","volume":"24","author":"Surgenor","year":"1998","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"151","DOI":"10.1002\/eat.22368","article-title":"Anorexia nervosa and gender dysphoria in two adolescents","volume":"48","author":"Couturier","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"112","DOI":"10.1002\/eat.22209","article-title":"Treatment of anorexia nervosa in the context of transsexuality: A case report","volume":"47","author":"Ewan","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"239","DOI":"10.1002\/eat.10247","article-title":"Gender identity disorder and anorexia nervosa in male monozygotic twins","volume":"35","author":"Hepp","year":"2004","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ristori, J., Fisher, A.D., Castellini, G., Sensi, C., Cipriani, A., Ricca, V., and Maggi, M. (2019). Gender dysphoria and anorexia nervosa symptoms in two adolescents. Arch. Sex. Behav., 1\u20137.","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-019-1396-7"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"942","DOI":"10.1002\/eat.22438","article-title":"Effects of treating gender dysphoria and anorexia nervosa in a transgender adolescent: Lessons learned","volume":"48","author":"Strandjord","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1953","DOI":"10.2147\/NDT.S95310","article-title":"The effect of cross-sex hormonal treatment on gender dysphoria individuals\u2019 mental health: A systematic review","volume":"12","author":"Costa","year":"2016","journal-title":"Neuropsychiatr. Dis. Treat."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"110","DOI":"10.1007\/s11920-018-0973-0","article-title":"Gender-affirming hormone use in transgender individuals: Impact on behavioral health and cognition","volume":"20","author":"Nguyen","year":"2017","journal-title":"Curr. Psychiatry Rep."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"170","DOI":"10.1089\/lgbt.2019.0354","article-title":"Disordered eating among trans-masculine youth: Considerations through a developmental lens","volume":"7","author":"Kamody","year":"2020","journal-title":"LGBT Health"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"527","DOI":"10.1521\/suli.2007.37.5.527","article-title":"Transgender youth and life-threatening behaviors","volume":"37","author":"Grossman","year":"2007","journal-title":"Suicide Life Threat. Behav."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"374","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jadohealth.2015.04.027","article-title":"Baseline physiologic and psychosocial characteristics of transgender youth seeking care for gender dysphoria","volume":"57","author":"Olson","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Adolesc. Health"},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"2276","article-title":"Puberty suppression in adolescents with gender identity disorder: A prospective follow-up study","volume":"8","author":"Steensma","year":"2011","journal-title":"Int. J. Impot. Res."},{"key":"ref_27","first-page":"709","article-title":"Cross-sex hormonal treatment and body uneasiness in individuals with gender dysphoria","volume":"11","author":"Fisher","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Impot. Res."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4260","DOI":"10.1210\/jc.2016-1276","article-title":"Cross-sex hormone treatment and psychobiological changes in transsexual persons: Two-year follow-up data","volume":"101","author":"Fisher","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"288","DOI":"10.1016\/j.yhbeh.2013.02.020","article-title":"Gender identity development in adolescence","volume":"64","author":"Steensma","year":"2013","journal-title":"Horm. Behav."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fortunato, A., Giovanardi, G., Mirabella, M., Di Ceglie, D., Speranza, A.M., Caviglia, G., and Lingiardi, V. (2020). Caring for gender diverse children and adolescents in Italy: A mixed-method investigation of clinicians\u2019 knowledge and approach to clinical practice. Clin. Child Psychol. Psychiatry.","DOI":"10.1177\/1359104520925526"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1231","DOI":"10.1007\/s40618-019-01045-2","article-title":"Transition memories: Experiences of trans adult women with hormone therapy and their beliefs on the usage of hormone blockers to suppress puberty","volume":"42","author":"Giovanardi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Endocrinol. Investig."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1697","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-016-0764-9","article-title":"Perceptions of sex, gender, and puberty suppression: A qualitative analysis of transgender youth","volume":"45","author":"Vrouenraets","year":"2016","journal-title":"Arch. Sex. Behav."},{"key":"ref_33","unstructured":"Westen, D. (2007, October 04). Clinical Diagnostic Interview Manua. Available online: www.psychsystems.net\/lab."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"459","DOI":"10.1097\/NMD.0000000000000300","article-title":"Assessment of clinical information: Comparison of the validity of a structured clinical interview (the SCID) and the clinical diagnostic interview","volume":"203","author":"Drill","year":"2015","journal-title":"J. Nerv. Ment. Dis."},{"key":"ref_35","unstructured":"First, M.B., Spitzer, R.L., Gibbon, M., and Williams, J.B.W. (1997). Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Personality Disorders, (SCID-II), American Psychiatric Press Inc."},{"key":"ref_36","unstructured":"Hill, C.E. (2012). Consensual Qualitative Research: A Practical Resource for Investigating Social Science Phenomena, American Psychological Association."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"196","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-0167.52.2.196","article-title":"Consensual qualitative research: An update","volume":"52","author":"Hill","year":"2005","journal-title":"J. Couns. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_38","first-page":"147","article-title":"Descriptive and interpretive approaches to qualitative research","volume":"Volume 1","author":"Miles","year":"2005","journal-title":"A Handbook of Research Methods for Clinical and Health Psychology"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"570","DOI":"10.1016\/j.amepre.2020.03.026","article-title":"Suicide attempts among a cohort of transgender and gender diverse people","volume":"59","author":"Mak","year":"2020","journal-title":"Am. J. Prev. Med."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1186\/s13104-020-05111-4","article-title":"Prevalence of self-harm among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender adolescents: A comparison of personal and social adversity with a heterosexual sample in Ghana","volume":"13","author":"Quarshie","year":"2020","journal-title":"BMC Res. Notes"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"86","DOI":"10.1080\/15532739.2013.817321","article-title":"Self-harming thoughts and behaviors in a group of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria","volume":"14","author":"Skagerberg","year":"2013","journal-title":"Int. J. Transgend."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3","DOI":"10.1037\/a0038803","article-title":"Non-suicidal self-injury in a large online sample of transgender adults","volume":"46","author":"Dickey","year":"2015","journal-title":"Prof. Psychol. Res. Pract."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"475","DOI":"10.1111\/sltb.12289","article-title":"Suicidality, self-harm, and body dissatisfaction in transgender adolescents and emerging adults with gender dysphoria","volume":"47","author":"Peterson","year":"2017","journal-title":"Suicide Life Threat. Behav."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"293","DOI":"10.1177\/1059840518818259","article-title":"School climate among transgender high school students: An exploration of school connectedness, perceived safety, bullying, and absenteeism","volume":"36","author":"Pampati","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Sch. Nurs."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"96","DOI":"10.1159\/000111554","article-title":"Body image and transsexualism","volume":"41","author":"Kraemer","year":"2008","journal-title":"Psychopathology"},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.appet.2016.12.021","article-title":"Behavioral evidence of emotion dysregulation in binge eaters","volume":"111","author":"Eichen","year":"2017","journal-title":"Appetite"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"370","DOI":"10.1080\/0092623X.2017.1405303","article-title":"Sexual experiences in transgender people: The role of desire for gender-confirming interventions, psychological well-being, and body satisfaction","volume":"44","author":"Nikkelen","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Sex. Marital. Ther."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"654","DOI":"10.1080\/00918369.2014.865482","article-title":"Trans people\u2019s experience of sexuality in the Netherlands: A pilot study","volume":"61","author":"Doorduin","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Homosex."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"475","DOI":"10.1016\/j.comppsych.2006.03.004","article-title":"Sexual abuse and eating disorder symptoms: The mediator role of bodily dissatisfaction","volume":"47","author":"Preti","year":"2006","journal-title":"Compr. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"943","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.2013.301241","article-title":"Stigma, mental health, and resilience in an online sample of the US transgender population","volume":"103","author":"Bockting","year":"2013","journal-title":"Am. J. Public Health Nations Health"},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"456","DOI":"10.1038\/nrurol.2016.128","article-title":"To treat or not to treat: Puberty suppression in childhood-onset gender dysphoria","volume":"13","author":"Costa","year":"2016","journal-title":"Nat. Rev. Urol."},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"696","DOI":"10.1542\/peds.2013-2958","article-title":"Young adult psychological outcome after puberty suppression and gender reassignment","volume":"134","author":"McGuire","year":"2014","journal-title":"Pediatrics"},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"765","DOI":"10.1007\/s10508-012-0055-z","article-title":"Gender nonconformity, perceived stigmatization, and psycholog-ical well-being in Dutch sexual minority youth and young adults: A mediation analysis","volume":"42","author":"Baams","year":"2013","journal-title":"Arch. Sex. Behav."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"953","DOI":"10.1007\/s40618-017-0647-5","article-title":"Psychological characteristics of Italian gender dysphoric adolescents: A case\u2013control study","volume":"40","author":"Fisher","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Endocinol. Investig."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.3109\/09540261.2015.1073143","article-title":"Non-suicidal self-injury and suicidality in trans people: A systematic review of the literature","volume":"28","author":"Marshall","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. Rev. Psychiatry"},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"644","DOI":"10.1353\/csd.2003.0058","article-title":"Binge eating as related to negative self-awareness, depression, and avoidance coping in undergraduates","volume":"44","author":"Schwarze","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Coll. Stud. Dev."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"212","DOI":"10.1002\/eat.20241","article-title":"Denial and minimization in adolescents with anorexia nervosa","volume":"39","author":"Couturier","year":"2006","journal-title":"Int. J. Eat. Disord."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1007\/BF03327738","article-title":"The Body Uneasiness Test (BUT): Development and validation of a new body image assessment scale","volume":"11","author":"Cuzzolaro","year":"2006","journal-title":"Eat. Weight Disord."}],"container-title":["Journal of Clinical Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/9\/11\/3733\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T10:35:06Z","timestamp":1760178906000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/9\/11\/3733"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,20]]},"references-count":58,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,11]]}},"alternative-id":["jcm9113733"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm9113733","relation":{},"ISSN":["2077-0383"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2077-0383","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,20]]}}}