For the latest publications of this PI visit Annelou de VriesVries, A.L.C. de (Annelou) alc.devries@amsterdamumc.nl
| Research line | Strengthening Transgender Care for Adolescents |
|---|---|
| Department | Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
| Research Institute(s) | Amsterdam Public Health AR&D |
| Description | Adolescent transgender care is a relatively new field that is rapidly developing. It has its roots in the Netherlands and I have been at the forefront of what has become known as the ‘Dutch model’. It includes early medical intervention and is at present the internationally dominant care model and was shown to have positive effects in my first longer-term evaluation studies and in recent other outcome publications. Puberty blocking, with no permanent effects, relieves the acute psychological distress of transgender youth when they experience the physical changes of puberty. It provides time and rest before making decisions regarding masculinizing or feminizing hormones and gender affirming surgeries with life-long consequences. The increased visibility, acceptance and availability of medical gender affirming care is a positive development in a society that embraces diversity and tolerance. Meanwhile, transgender care for adolescents is surrounded by challenges and uncertainties, since medically intervening in a developing adolescent body remains an essential though controversial component of transgender care. Threats to providing affirming medical care exist in various countries. My current research addresses several questions. A topical concern involves the limited evidence base for the care model, especially for the more recent referred adolescents. A key concern is whether these ‘older’ birth assigned girls may present with a ‘new’ form of (rapid or sudden) onset adolescent GI/GD, who may regret their treatment and detransition later. There is a need for more insight how the diversity of developmental pathways and associated psychological difficulties is related to treatment outcomes. Meanwhile, youth, adolescents and their parents report an explicit wish to be more engaged in treatment-associated decisions. This asks for investigation of what good decision-making in gender affirming treatment should comprise. |
| Seniors | • Annelou L.C. de Vries, child and adolescent psychiatrist, ass prof, PI • Anna van der Miesen, psychiatry resident, Postdocoral researcher • Karln Gerritse, psychiatry resident, Postdocoral researcher • Banu Unsal, Postdocoral researcher |
| Projects | |
| Long term effects | Marijn Arnoldussen studies long term effects |
| Sexuality and communication | Sara Bungener studies sexuality and communication |
| Gender developmental pathways | Frederique de Rooy studies gender developmental pathways |
| Participatory action research, empowering the voice of the adolescent | Ezra Oosthoek studies participatory action research, empowering the voice of the adolescent |
| Factors associated with young adult outcomes | Skye Stanwich investigates factors associated with young adult outcomes |
| intra country comparisons | Aisa Burgwal investigates intra country comparisons |
| Uncertainty in consult communication | Casper Martens investigates uncertainty in consult communication |
| Gender developmental pathways in prepubertal children | Anouk Smits investigates gender developmental pathways in prepubertal children |
| Treatment outcomes on puberty blockers and hormones | Nina Pot investigates treatment outcomes on puberty blockers and hormones |
| Autism characteristics and treatment pathways | Isa van Wieringen investigates autism characteristics and treatment pathways |
| Sexuality in transgender adolescents receiving early medical intervention | Isabelle van der Meulen investigates sexuality in transgender adolescents receiving early medical intervention |
Last edited: 05-03-2026