Mental health practitioners' narratives about gender transition and the role of diagnosis: A qualitative study in the Italian context.

Publisher: Hindawi in collaboration with John Wiley & Sons, Inc Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9306359 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1365-2524 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 09660410 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Health Soc Care Community Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: [London] : Hindawi in collaboration with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Original Publication: Oxford : Blackwell Scientific Publications, c1993-

Gender Identity* ; Mental Health*; Health Policy ; Humans ; Narration ; Qualitative Research

In many European Countries, a diagnosis is needed to access the gender transition process, which has sparked debate about whether gender variance should be equated with a psychodiagnosis. This study explores mental health practitioners' perspectives about the implications of using the diagnosis for gatekeeping purposes. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Italian mental health specialists. The personal positions and interpretative repertoires emerging from the interviews centred on three thematic areas: the diagnosis, the practitioner's role, and the clinical relationship. In relation to the development of health promotion policies, findings underscore the importance of exercising reflexivity, adhering to theory and national and/or international guidelines, and analysing people's needs to ensure that the clinical setting is an affirmative space, especially for non-binary people.
(© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

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Keywords: diagnosis; gender transition; interpretative repertoires; positioning; trans

Date Created: 20220111 Date Completed: 20220815 Latest Revision: 20221025

20221213

10.1111/hsc.13711

35016261