New research has highlighted that so-called “conversion therapy” or “conversion practices” are not only ineffective at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity but are also strongly associated with increased mental health issues in LGBTQ+ individuals.
The study, which surveyed over 4,400 LGBTQ+ Americans, found that those subjected to these harmful interventions showed significantly higher rates of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicidal ideation or attempts.
“Our findings add to a body of evidence that shows conversion practice is unethical and linked with poor mental health,” stated Dr. Nguyen Tran, the study’s lead author from Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. Tran further emphasised that protecting LGBTQ+ people from these harmful practices would require robust legislation, including state and federal bans, as well as additional support networks and tailored mental health services for survivors.
The study’s results were published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal on Monday.
Conversion therapy refers to structured efforts designed to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity using psychological, behavioural, physical, or faith-based approaches. While these practices are opposed by most major professional medical and mental health organisations, they continue to be offered at various sites across the United States.
According to a Lancet news release, anywhere between 4% to 34% of LGBTQ+ Americans, including both children and adults, may have been subjected to such conversion practices.
The data for this study came from the ongoing PRIDE Study, which monitors the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals across the United States. Of those surveyed, approximately 57% identified as cisgender and 43% identified as transgender, with participants ranging in age from 18 to 34 (average age being 31).
A total of 149 respondents (3.4%) reported undergoing conversion therapy aimed at changing their sexual orientation, while 43 individuals (1%) experienced practices targeting their gender identity, and 42 (1%) reported having gone through interventions for both.
The researchers found that risk factors for undergoing conversion therapy included a religious upbringing, being raised in a community unsupportive of gender and sexuality issues, belonging to a minority group, and having lower educational attainment.
Conversion practices targeting sexual orientation were predominantly delivered by religious leaders or groups (52% of the time) and mental health providers or organisations (29%). Similar patterns were observed in conversion practices aimed at changing gender identity.
The study noted that participants who had been through conversion therapy for their gender identity alone exhibited the highest levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, and PTSD. Those who had undergone interventions targeting both their sexuality and gender identity showed the highest levels of suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
Dr. Jack Drescher, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City, commented in an accompanying article that “mainstream mental health organisations need to do a better job of regulating the activities of those outlier, licensed clinicians who engage in conversion practices.”
He added, “Professional organisations’ ethical guidelines should mirror and integrate the wider world’s changing cultural beliefs and values regarding the growing acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.”
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