The Perth Gender Picture (PGP): Young people’s feedback about acceptability and usefulness of a new pictorial and narrative approach to gender identity assessment and exploration

Abstract

Background

A number of psychological assessment tools have been developed to describe various dimensions of gender. Some of these tools are restricted to a binary gender concept and are inflexible in reflecting how a young person’s gender may change and develop over time. Most are text questionnaires which require a good level of literacy.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate a newly developed pictorial tool that facilitates a conversation about gender between a child or adolescent (aged 11–18) and their clinician, enabling a diverse understanding and expression of gender identity.

Methods

The Perth Gender Picture (PGP) was co-created between clinicians and young clients between 2016 and 2018. In 2018, the measure was evaluated through a pilot study at the Gender Diversity Service at Perth Children’s Hospital in Western Australia. After use of the PGP during a clinical consultation, clients were invited to fill in a feedback questionnaire about their experience of its use. Clinicians participated in unstructured interviews to give their feedback.

Results

Most participants rated the PGP as easy to understand, acceptable and useful, and many stated that they found gender easier to describe with the picture rather than words. The results show positive uptake from clients, demonstrating feasible implementation with gender diverse young people.

Discussion

This evaluation positions the PGP as a useful tool to facilitate conversations about gender identity between gender diverse children and adolescents and their clinicians, in a nonjudgmental and playful manner. It is well-suited to young people who may have limited literacy or difficulty with complex language. The PGP has potential for use in other age groups and non-clinical contexts.

Keywords:

• Assessment
• child and adolescent
• gender diverse
• gender dysphoria
• pictorial
• transgender

Acknowledgment

We would like to acknowledge the Gender Diversity Service clients for their participation and their creative contributions to the development of the Perth Gender Picture.

Disclosure statement

The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Additional information

Funding

PS is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship at the University of Western Australia. AL is supported by an NHMRC Career Development Fellowship [grant no. 1148793]. SM is supported by a University Postgraduate Award from The University of Western Australia, The Perth Children’s Hospital Fund PhD Top-up Scholarship, and the Raine Medical Foundation PhD Top-up.