Debate › Desistance · Last reviewed 2026-05-16
Desistance research
Summary
"Desistance" refers to the observation that the majority of children with gender dysphoria, when followed into adolescence, no longer have a cross-gender identification. Older Dutch and Canadian studies reported persistence rates of approximately 12–27%. Later literature disputes definitions and methodological premises; the Olson 2022 cohort reports higher persistence among socially transitioned children. See also /studies/steensma-2013-desistance/.
Key studies
| Study | Setting | Persistence |
|---|---|---|
| Wallien & Cohen-Kettenis 2008 | NL | ~27% |
| Drummond et al. 2008 | CA (CAMH) | ~12% |
| Steensma et al. 2013 | NL | ~27% |
| Singh et al. 2021 | CA (CAMH) | ~12% |
| Olson et al. 2022 | US (TransYouth) | ~97% of early socially transitioned |
Points of debate
- Definition of "desistance": behavioural, cognitive or identity-based?
- Sample selection: older studies also contain children with "gender-nonconforming behaviour" without dysphoria.
- Shift in referral patterns since 2015 makes comparison with historical cohorts difficult.
- The Olson 2022 figures concern already socially transitioned children, a selected subgroup.
See also
- People register — Steensma, Cohen-Kettenis, Olson.
- Timeline 2013 — Steensma publication.
- International comparison.
- Steensma et al. (2013) — dossier page on the central Dutch desistance study.
- Inclusion criteria — how the protocol treats prepubertal dysphoria before hormonal intervention.
- Exclusion criteria — comorbidity as a factor in differential diagnosis.
- Detransition research — related debate on outcomes after transition.
- Cass Review (2024) — recent re-evaluation of desistance literature.
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