Psicosocial, ethical and legal aspects in the attention of adolescent and transsexual youth

Abstract

Introduction: Transsexualism is the irreversible desire to belong to the opposite sex of the one that is genetically established and to assume the corresponding role and turn if necessary to a hormonal and surgical treatment directed to correct this conflict. The revelation of this sexual identity is happening at younger ages. Professionals who see adolescents should be also prepared to see adolescents and young people with a transsexual sexual identity. Objective: To identify the main difficulties experienced by adolescents and transsexual youth. Material and method: A qualitative study was carried out, with a sample of adolescents and transsexual youth, female and male, patients in Cemera and in the organizations that fight for the rights of transsexual people. Semi-structured interviews were executed. A thematic analysis of data was used. The meanings and interpretations which resulted were constantly verified by means of successive analyses. Results: A total of 16 transsexual people were interviewed. The results show that transsexual people experience numerous difficulties in the familiar, educational, work, social, legal and health areas, which makes the development of their sexual identity even more difficult, causing them great suffering. Conclusions: Health professionals frequently assume heterosexuality in adolescents and young people they see and, therefore, they are creating a setting of obstacles for the health care of this specific population and, as a consequence, they are implicitly discriminating it.