Is gender truly stable? Longitudinal changes in gender identity in a Dutch community sample
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Classical developmental psychological theories have conceptualized gender identity as a stable trait consolidated by early childhood and unlikely to change thereafter. Consequently, relatively little is known about potential gender identity changes in adolescence and early adulthood. This study examined 1) the prevalence of gender identity changes and 2) heterogeneity in individual pathways of change. Using eight-wave longitudinal data, Dutch youth (N = 933; Mage = 18.72 at first report, SD = 3.73) reported their gender identity repeatedly. Results showed that approximately one out of 20 youth changed their gender identity at least once, with some reporting multiple changes. Whereas some youth changed between binary identities (boy/man or girl/woman), others (also) considered nonbinary identities – either by identifying as nonbinary or through various self-descriptions. For some youth, self-describe, ‘prefer not to say’, and temporary missing responses preceded subsequent changes. Our findings highlight heterogeneity in gender identity pathways, underscoring that for some youth gender identity may develop beyond childhood.
Institutions: Tilburg University, Tufts University, Erasmus University Rotterdam
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Gender equality
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4413905121