The impact of culture on disclosure in differences of sex development
Abstract
Differences of sex development (DSD) include a variety of complex congenital genitourinary abnormalities-whether sporadic or hereditary. The 2006 DSD Consensus Statement and 2016 Update Consensus Statement encourage better communication among providers, between providers and parents, as well as among providers, parents, and patients when developmentally appropriate.1,2 However, a lack of clear communication about the diagnosis and its sequelae may occur at three levels: (1) disclosure from DSD patients' families to their physician, (2) disclosure from patients to their families/communities, and (3) disclosure from the physician to the DSD patient. Additionally, there is a paucity of research available on how culture can impact disclosure among individuals with DSDs. This article discusses disclosure among the various stakeholders and briefly explores the impact of cultural expectations and beliefs with regards to disclosure.
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Delayed diagnosis, emotional, and gender assignment problems negatively influence quality of life.
“Delayed diagnosis (557,734), emotional (731), and gender assignment problems (732,735) negatively influence quality of life (560,736).”
From Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia—Current Insights in Pathophysiology, Diagnostics, and Management (2022) · cites this paper as [560]
In HOW CULTURE CAN AFFECT DISCLOSURE (page unavailable), the paper says pressure to choose a gender can cause stress and that historical gender-assignment practices may be psychologically damaging. It also calls for attention to quality of life. It does not establish that delayed diagnosis, emotional problems, and gender-assignment problems each negatively affect quality of life. (LLM, conf=0.79)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMyths and misconceptions about ambiguous genitalia in certain communities may lead to discrimination against patients and families.
“Myths and misconceptions about ambiguous genitalia in certain communities may lead to discrimination against patients and families (556,560).”
From Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia—Current Insights in Pathophysiology, Diagnostics, and Management (2022) · cites this paper as [560]
Pediatric endocrinologists are scarce, and late referral to specialized centers may delay diagnosis and treatment.
“Pediatric endocrinologists are scarce (560,730,733), and late referral to specialized centers may delay diagnosis and treatment.”
From Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia—Current Insights in Pathophysiology, Diagnostics, and Management (2022) · cites this paper as [560]
The citation is attached to the claim that pediatric endocrinologists are scarce. The paper’s “Lack of Disclosure from Patient to Provider” section discusses the value of knowledgeable multidisciplinary providers, but does not address endocrinologist availability. Searches for scarcity and for delayed referral to specialized centers found no passage establishing either point. (LLM, conf=0.74)
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Cites
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Helgeson, V. S., Cohen, S., Schulz, R., & Yasko, J. (2000) · Health Psychology · doi:10.1037/0278-6133.19.2.107 · Cited by 341 · see citing works
Disorders of sex development (DSDs), their presentation and management in different cultures
Warne, G. L., & Raza, J. (2008) · Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders · doi:10.1007/s11154-008-9084-2 · Cited by 149 · see citing works
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Cited by
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Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia—Current Insights in Pathophysiology, Diagnostics, and Management
Claahsen - van der Grinten, H. L., Speiser, P. W., Ahmed, S. F., Arlt, W., Auchus, R. J., Falhammar, H., Flück, C. E., Guasti, L., Huebner, A., Kortmann, B. B. M., et al. (2022) · Endocrine Reviews · doi:10.1210/endrev/bnab016 · Cited by 556 · see citing works
- Authors
- Weidler, E. M., & Peterson, K. E.
- Affiliations
- Phoenix Children's Hospital (US)
- Corresponding author
- Weidler, Erica M.
- ORCID
- Weidler, Erica M.
- Venue
- Seminars in Pediatric Surgery
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-10
- Volume
- 28
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 150840
- ISSN
- 1055-8586 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC6919323
- OpenAlex
- W2972753253
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Seminars in Pediatric Surgery (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Sexual Differentiation and Disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Ethics and Legal Issues in Pediatric Healthcare
- Keywords
- disorders of sex development, DSD, disclosure, culture, cultural beliefs, physician-patient communication, parent-physician communication, congenital genitourinary anomalies, diagnosis communication
- MeSH terms
- Child, Communication, Culture, Humans, Parent-Child Relations, Parents, Professional-Family Relations, Disorders of Sex Development, Disclosure, Social Stigma
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