Validating the Gender Variance Scale in Italian: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Health and Sociodemographic Factors

Meneguzzo, Paolo; Dal Brun, David; Tenconi, Elena; Bonato, Marina; Scala, Alberto; Miscioscia, Marina; Garolla, Andrea; Favaro, Angela

doi:10.3390/healthcare13192438

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Open AccessArticle

Validating the Gender Variance Scale in Italian: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Health and Sociodemographic Factors

by

Paolo Meneguzzo

^1,2,3,*

,

David Dal Brun

¹

,

Elena Tenconi

^1,2

,

Marina Bonato

^3,4

,

Alberto Scala

^3,5,

Marina Miscioscia

^3,4

,

Andrea Garolla

^3,5

and

Angela Favaro

^1,2,3

¹

Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy

²

Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy

³

Regional Reference Center for Gender Incongruence, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy

⁴

Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialization, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy

⁵

Unit of Andrology and Reproductive Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Padova, 35122 Padova, Italy

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Healthcare 2025, 13(19), 2438; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192438 (registering DOI)

Submission received: 26 August 2025 / Revised: 19 September 2025 / Accepted: 24 September 2025 / Published: 25 September 2025

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Abstract

Background: The Gender Variance Scale (GVS) was developed to assess self-perceived masculinity and femininity across diverse gender identities, including binary and non-binary experiences. To date, no validated Italian version was available. Methods: A total of 356 participants (192 transgender and gender-diverse [TGD], 164 cisgender) completed the Italian GVS and the SF-12 Health Survey. Translation and cultural adaptation followed international guidelines. Psychometric evaluation included confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency, test–retest reliability (n = 63), convergent validity with health-related quality of life, and group comparisons across gender identity categories. Results: CFA supported the original two-factor model (CFI = 0.916, TLI = 0.905, RMSEA = 0.076, SRMR = 0.053). Internal consistency was high (α = 0.89). The GVS distinguished between gender identity groups: TGD participants scored higher than cisgender peers, and non-binary individuals reported significantly lower scores than both binary groups. Test–retest reliability was strong (r = 0.87–0.99; ICC = 0.992–0.996). Conclusions: The Italian GVS is a valid and reliable measure of gender variance. It provides clinicians, researchers, and educators with a culturally appropriate tool to assess gender expression and support inclusive practices in both community and clinical contexts.

Keywords: gender identity; gender variance; transgender individuals; psychometric validation; mental health assessment

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MDPI and ACS Style

Meneguzzo, P.; Dal Brun, D.; Tenconi, E.; Bonato, M.; Scala, A.; Miscioscia, M.; Garolla, A.; Favaro, A. Validating the Gender Variance Scale in Italian: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Health and Sociodemographic Factors. Healthcare 2025, 13, 2438. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192438

AMA Style

Meneguzzo P, Dal Brun D, Tenconi E, Bonato M, Scala A, Miscioscia M, Garolla A, Favaro A. Validating the Gender Variance Scale in Italian: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Health and Sociodemographic Factors. Healthcare. 2025; 13(19):2438. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192438

Chicago/Turabian Style

Meneguzzo, Paolo, David Dal Brun, Elena Tenconi, Marina Bonato, Alberto Scala, Marina Miscioscia, Andrea Garolla, and Angela Favaro. 2025. "Validating the Gender Variance Scale in Italian: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Health and Sociodemographic Factors" Healthcare 13, no. 19: 2438. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192438

APA Style

Meneguzzo, P., Dal Brun, D., Tenconi, E., Bonato, M., Scala, A., Miscioscia, M., Garolla, A., & Favaro, A. (2025). Validating the Gender Variance Scale in Italian: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Health and Sociodemographic Factors. Healthcare, 13(19), 2438. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13192438

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Validating the Gender Variance Scale in Italian: Psychometric Properties and Associations with Health and Sociodemographic Factors

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