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Mental health and quality of life outcomes of gender-affirming surgery: A systematic literature review.
- Source :
-
Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health . Jan-Mar2023, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p2-45. 44p. 26 Charts. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Transgender individuals experience disproportionately higher rates of mental health concerns and lower quality of life (QoL) than the general population. Gender-affirming healthcare can reduce negative mental health outcomes and improve QoL. This review explores the mental health and QoL outcomes to accessing gender-affirming surgery for transgender individuals. Following the PRISMA guidelines, searches were conducted using five databases for peer-reviewed articles, in English, with full-text available online published between January 2000 and August 2021. Fifty-three studies were included. Findings indicate reduced rates of suicide attempts, anxiety, depression, and symptoms of gender dysphoria along with higher levels of life satisfaction, happiness and QoL after gender-affirming surgery. Some studies reported that initial QoL improvements post gender-affirming surgery were not always enduring. This review supports the need for more sustainable and accessible gender-affirming surgery as a means for improving the mental health and overall QoL among transgender individuals and indicates the need for further research with greater methodological rigor focusing on correlates of positive gender-affirming surgical outcomes. Without social, legal, and public policy responses to transgender discrimination, marginalization and exclusion, the beneficial outcomes of improved gender-affirming surgery will remain unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19359705
- Volume :
- 27
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 161394166
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/19359705.2021.2016537