Experiences, Motivations, and Impacts of Sexual Orientation Change Efforts: Effects on Sexual Identity Distress and Mental Health Among Sexual Minorities

Throughout the history of the mental health profession, many psychotherapists have asserted that homosexuality is a mental condition or defect that may be corrected through treatment. Homosexuality was not officially declassified as a mental illness until 1973, and it was not until recently that mainstream mental health organizations renounced the claim that therapy can alter sexual orientation. Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) involve various types of psychotherapy, from the familiar and seemingly benign talk therapy to forms of behavioral therapy that include “masturbatory reconditioning, rest, visits to prostitutes[,] excessive bicycle riding,” and even physical abuse. SOCE are now widely regarded by mainstream mental health practitioners as unscientific, ineffective, and mentally and emotionally harmful. Nevertheless, due to persistent societal disapproval of homosexuality, some mental health providers continue to engage in SOCE, often causing their patients to experience shame and anxiety well into adulthood.

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Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (Soce) Strongly Reduce Suicidality: a Critique of Blosnich Et Al., 'Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Suicide Ideation and Attempt Among Sexual Minority Adults, United States, 2016–2018', AJPH 110(7): 1024-1030

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.3729353 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Donald Sullins

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Adverse Childhood Experiences ◽

Suicide Ideation ◽

Childhood Experiences ◽

Orientation Change ◽

Adverse Childhood ◽

Change Efforts

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Resilience in LGB Youths: A Systematic Review of Protection Mechanisms

Paidéia (Ribeirão Preto) ◽

10.1590/1982-43272766201709 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (66) ◽

pp. 69-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Daniela Fonseca Freitas ◽

Susana Coimbra ◽

Anne Marie Fontaine

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Health Disparities ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Protective Mechanisms ◽

Positive Adjustment ◽

Lgb Youth ◽

Protection Mechanisms ◽

Heterosexual Youth

Abstract: Given the mental health disparities among LGB and heterosexual youth, literature has increasingly emphasized the need to identify the mechanisms that promote resilience among sexual minorities. This systematic review sought to answer the question: what are the protection mechanisms against homophobia among LGB youth? Of the 147 references located in the search, 13 studies were analyzed. The identified protection mechanisms were organized by two criteria: specific to sexual orientation or general, and considered to be at the personal, relational and contextual level. Most of the mechanisms revealed to solely promote the positive adjustment in the presence of risk. General protective mechanisms frequently revealed to be more compensatory of the risks than those specific to sexual orientation.

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