Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria

We developed and evaluated the Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ), a tool designed to assess distress due to gender incongruence in individuals aged 18 and above with sensitivity to change. The 31 items of the questionnaire were generated through semi-structured guideline interviews with tra...

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Main Authors: Antonia Möck, Inken Tödt, Mathis Landsberg, Alexander Pohl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1540500/full
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author Antonia Möck
Inken Tödt
Mathis Landsberg
Alexander Pohl
author_facet Antonia Möck
Inken Tödt
Mathis Landsberg
Alexander Pohl
author_sort Antonia Möck
collection DOAJ
description We developed and evaluated the Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ), a tool designed to assess distress due to gender incongruence in individuals aged 18 and above with sensitivity to change. The 31 items of the questionnaire were generated through semi-structured guideline interviews with trans* patients (n = 7) and experts (n = 5), which were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Additionally, modified items from other questionnaires and the item collection of a working group were considered. Subsequently, the questionnaire was completed online by gender-dysphoric participants (N = 219). A principal axis analysis revealed a conceptually plausible three-factor structure with the subscales Alienation, Gender Role Pressure, and Body Dysphoria. All subscales demonstrated at least good internal consistency with α ≥ 0.80. A correlational comparison of two testing periods indicated high test-retest reliability (r = 0.84). The convergent validity with the Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale—Gender Spectrum and the divergent validity with the PHQ-9 module of the Patient Health Questionnaire were only partially demonstrated, as the predetermined thresholds were slightly under (r < 0.50) or overstepped (r > 0.40). The assessment of known-groups validity showed expected mean differences. The results suggest that the KGDQ is a reliable and valid instrument for capturing various aspects of gender dysphoria over time.
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spelling doaj-art-32fe018473b64d52a4ab67d7cf485dd72025-08-20T03:44:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-06-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15405001540500Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoriaAntonia Möck0Inken Tödt1Mathis Landsberg2Alexander Pohl3Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Institute of Psychology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, GermanyInstitute for Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, ZIP GmbH, Kiel, GermanyInstitute for Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, ZIP GmbH, Kiel, GermanyInstitute for Sexual Medicine and Forensic Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, ZIP GmbH, Kiel, GermanyWe developed and evaluated the Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ), a tool designed to assess distress due to gender incongruence in individuals aged 18 and above with sensitivity to change. The 31 items of the questionnaire were generated through semi-structured guideline interviews with trans* patients (n = 7) and experts (n = 5), which were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Additionally, modified items from other questionnaires and the item collection of a working group were considered. Subsequently, the questionnaire was completed online by gender-dysphoric participants (N = 219). A principal axis analysis revealed a conceptually plausible three-factor structure with the subscales Alienation, Gender Role Pressure, and Body Dysphoria. All subscales demonstrated at least good internal consistency with α ≥ 0.80. A correlational comparison of two testing periods indicated high test-retest reliability (r = 0.84). The convergent validity with the Utrecht Gender Dysphoria Scale—Gender Spectrum and the divergent validity with the PHQ-9 module of the Patient Health Questionnaire were only partially demonstrated, as the predetermined thresholds were slightly under (r < 0.50) or overstepped (r > 0.40). The assessment of known-groups validity showed expected mean differences. The results suggest that the KGDQ is a reliable and valid instrument for capturing various aspects of gender dysphoria over time.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1540500/fulltransgendergender dysphoriagender incongruencetranssexualismmental health
spellingShingle Antonia Möck
Inken Tödt
Mathis Landsberg
Alexander Pohl
Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria
Frontiers in Psychology
transgender
gender dysphoria
gender incongruence
transsexualism
mental health
title Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria
title_full Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria
title_fullStr Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria
title_full_unstemmed Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria
title_short Kiel Gender Dysphoria Questionnaire (KGDQ): development and validation of a questionnaire for change-sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria
title_sort kiel gender dysphoria questionnaire kgdq development and validation of a questionnaire for change sensitive assessment of gender dysphoria
topic transgender
gender dysphoria
gender incongruence
transsexualism
mental health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1540500/full
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