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ERIC Number: EJ827072
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2009-Jan
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-0167
EISSN: N/A
Gender Identity and Coping in Female 46, XY Adults with Androgen Biosynthesis Deficiency (Intersexuality/DSD)
Schweizer, Katinka; Brunner, Franziska; Schutzmann, Karsten; Schonbucher, Verena; Richter-Appelt, Hertha
Journal of Counseling Psychology, v56 n1 p189-201 Jan 2009
Individuals living with an intersex condition have not received much attention in counseling psychology, although a high need for psychosocial care is obvious. Using a mixed-methods multiple case study with qualitative and quantitative data, the authors explore coping and gender experiences in seven 46, XY intersexual persons with deficiencies of androgen biosynthesis. These were assigned female at birth. At puberty, the participants experienced unexpected physical virilization due to 5alpha-reductase-2 (n = 3) and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-3 deficiency (n = 4). All 7 received medical treatment (e.g., gonadal removal, genital surgery) to stop virilization and maintain the primarily assigned female sex and gender. The cases illustrate high adjustment challenges caused by the condition itself and the medical treatment experienced. None changed to male during adolescence as reported in previous studies. Highly variable patterns of gender identification become visible with subjectivities that do not only represent a binary gender model. Adult gender identity outcome of the participants is characterized by an increased uncertainty of gender identity, high male and low female gender identity. Implications for clinical management, particularly psychological counseling, are drawn. (Contains 2 tables and 1 footnote.)
American Psychological Association. Journals Department, 750 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Tel: 800-374-2721; Tel: 202-336-5510; Fax: 202-336-5502; e-mail: order@apa.org; Web site: http://www.apa.org/publications
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A