scholarly journals Efficacy and risk of sexual orientation change efforts: a retrospective analysis of 125 exposed men

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
D. Paul Sullins ◽  
Christopher H. Rosik ◽  
Paul Santero
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Sexual Attraction ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Orientation Change ◽  
Full Remission ◽  
Change Efforts

Background: Voluntary therapeutic interventions to reduce unwanted same-sex sexuality are collectively known as sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).  Currently almost all evidence addressing the contested question whether SOCE is effective or safe consists of anecdotes or very small sample qualitative studies of persons who currently identify as sexual minority and thus by definition failed to change.  We conducted this study to examine the efficacy and risk outcomes for a group of SOCE participants unbiased by current sexual orientation.       Methods: We examined a convenience sample of 125 men who had undergone SOCE for homosexual-to-heterosexual change in sexual attraction, identity and behavior, and for positive and negative changes in psychosocial problem domains (depression, suicidality, self-harm, self-esteem, social function, and alcohol or substance abuse).  Mean change was assessed by parametric (t-test) and nonparametric (Wilcoxon sign rank test) significance tests.   Results: Exposure to SOCE was associated with significant declines in same-sex attraction (from 5.7 to 4.1 on the Kinsey scale, p <.000), identification (4.8 to 3.6, p < .000), and sexual activity (2.4 to 1.5 on a 4-point scale of frequency, p < .000). From 45% to 69% of SOCE participants achieved at least partial remission of unwanted same-sex sexuality; full remission was achieved by 14% for sexual attraction and identification, and 26% for sexual behavior.  Rates were higher among married men, but 4-10% of participants experienced increased same-sex orientation after SOCE.  From 0.8% to 4.8% of participants reported marked or severe negative psychosocial change following SOCE, but 12.1% to 61.3% reported marked or severe positive psychosocial change.  Net change was significantly positive for all problem domains.   Conclusion: SOCE was perceived as an effective and safe therapeutic practice by this sample of participants.  We close by offering a unifying understanding of discrepant findings within this literature and caution against broad generalizations of our results.

scholarly journals Efficacy and risk of sexual orientation change efforts: a retrospective analysis of 125 exposed men

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
D. Paul Sullins ◽  
Christopher H. Rosik ◽  
Paul Santero
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Sexual Attraction ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Same Sex ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Orientation Change ◽  
Full Remission ◽  
Change Efforts

Background: Voluntary therapeutic interventions to reduce unwanted same-sex sexuality are collectively known as sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE).  To date almost all evidence addressing the contested question whether SOCE is effective or safe has consisted of anecdotes or very small sample qualitative studies of persons who currently identify as sexual minority and thus by definition failed to change.  We conducted this study to examine the efficacy and risk outcomes for a group of SOCE participants unbiased by current sexual orientation.       Methods: We examined a convenience sample of 125 men who had undergone SOCE for homosexual-to-heterosexual change in sexual attraction, identity and behavior, and for positive and negative changes in psychosocial problem domains (depression, suicidality, self-harm, self-esteem, social function, and alcohol or substance abuse).  Mean change was assessed by parametric (t-test) and nonparametric (Wilcoxon sign rank test) significance tests.   Results: Exposure to SOCE was associated with significant declines in same-sex attraction (from 5.7 to 4.1 on the Kinsey scale, p <.000), identification (4.8 to 3.6, p < .000), and sexual activity (2.4 to 1.5 on a 4-point scale of frequency, p < .000).  Over 42.7% of SOCE participants achieved at least partial remission of unwanted same-sex sexuality; full remission was achieved by 14% for sexual attraction and identification, and 26% for sexual behavior.  Rates were higher among married men, but 4-10% of participants experienced increased same-sex orientation after SOCE.  From 0.8% to 4.8% of participants reported marked or severe negative psychosocial change following SOCE, but 12.1% to 61.3% reported marked or severe positive psychosocial change.  Net change was significantly positive for all problem domains.   Conclusion: SOCE was perceived as an effective and safe therapeutic practice by this sample of participants.  We close by offering a unifying understanding of discrepant findings within this literature and caution against broad generalizations of our results.

A Voice in the Room: The Function of State Legislative Bans on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts for Minors

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arcangelo S. Cella
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Behavioral Therapy ◽  
Mental Condition ◽  
Mental Health Providers ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
Orientation Change ◽  
Mental Health Profession ◽  
History Of ◽  
Change Efforts

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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