Self-esteem as a parameter of adaptive potential in transsexuals

Background of the work is associated with the high significance of an accurate assessment of the adaptive potential of a transsexual sent for transgender transition. To date, psychological constructs that make it possible to predict this potential look unconvincing due to the blurriness of these constructs, as well as ways to evaluate them. The ability for adequate self-assessment is proposed as a relevant construct.

Objective is to state the self-esteem of transsexuals at different stages of transgender transition in comparison with non-transexuals.

Methods. The anonymous questionnaire includes the M. Kuhn — T. McPartland test «Who am I» modified by A. Thostov, E. Rasskazova, V. Emelin (2014); «Cognitive Beliefs Inconsistency Study Method» (Rasskazova, Thostov, Abramova, 2015); «Satisfaction with Life Scale» (Diener, Emmons, Larsen, Grin, 1985; adapted by E. Osin, D. Leontiev, 2008). ANOVA is used in the SPSS 23 program.

Sample. Control group: 120 cisgender people. Main group: 151 transsexuals: Male-to-Female (MtF), Female-to-Male (FtM).

Results. Well-being level of MtF in final stage of transgender transition is equal to that of cisgender people, and FtM's level is lower (F = 8.384; P < 0.01). FtM in all stages of transgender transition give higher marks of social recognition of their self-identifications than MtF
(F = 8.996; P < 0.01). FtM rate their masculinity from the point of friends' view higher than MtF (F = 3.413; P < 0.05). MtF transsexuals in all stages of transgender transition rate their self-identifications lower than FtM (F = 3.532; P < 0.05).

Conclusion. FtM have an overestimation of self-esteem in terms of masculinity, social recognition. It is associated with psychological compensation of a lower level of well-being than MtF. MtF more accurately rate reality in all stages of transgender transition and do not resort to compensatory mechanisms.

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