August 07, 2020
identity change efforts and mental health: psychological consequences of gender and sexual orientation change efforts
Growing up is really hard for a number of reasons: forming relationships, discovering new skills, learning to be independent. Puberty is a challenge in itself. This time in a young person's life is even harder when questions of identity and sexual orientation are raised. The LGBTQ community deals with personal and social turmoil that cis-gendered people cannot understand. Even worse, there are those who take action against the LGBTQ community in an effort to change the way they are. These practices are not only ineffective but psychologically damaging.
Identity change efforts, also known as a conversion, are practices used to alter a person's gender or sexual identity. These practices have become less prominent as society has learned to embrace the LGBT community. This acceptance is supported by laws that protect their rights as citizens and defend against discrimination. Even so, this minority population is not treated equally, and there are significant mental health consequences of the discrimination they still face.
In this study, researchers measured the association between exposure to conversion efforts and suicidality among the LGBTQ community. In 2018, LGBTQ individuals between the ages of 13 and 24 filled out a survey. They were asked questions about their exposure to conversion efforts, their mental health, and any suicide attempts.
Relative to young people who had not experienced SOGICE, those who reported undergoing SOGICE were more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide and having multiple suicide attempts.
This study found that participants who had experienced conversion efforts were more likely to have attempted suicide at least once. Markedly, higher proportions of Hispanic/Latinx participants, those from low-income families, and those in southern states were exposed to conversion efforts.
It is important to note that the results of this study are based on self-reported data. Researchers had no clear way to validate the information, leaving them to trust the reporting of the participants. Therefore, participants could have altered the results by over or under exaggerating their experiences. Regardless, we can clearly see the burden on this population.
The prevalence of these discriminatory practices can predict other health outcomes in addition to suicidal ideation. Researchers in Canada surveyed 8,388 sexual minority men between 2011 and 2012. Participants were asked about their experience with identity change efforts, mental health, and life circumstances.
Minority men exposed to conversion therapy are more likely to feel lonely, use illicit drugs, have suicidal ideation, and have attempted suicide.
An estimated 3.5% of sexual minority men surveyed had been exposed to any form of conversion. In the data, they found variations in the risk of exposure between different subgroups. For example, gay men were more likely than bisexual men to have been exposed to conversion. Higher rates were also found in transgender participants and racial minorities.
Sexual minority men reported higher rates of loneliness and illegal drug use. This population was also significantly more likely to think about suicide and have attempted suicide. The data suggests that these mental health problems are correlated with their exposure to identity change efforts.
Lastly, a special focus must be dedicated to the transgender community. Transgender individuals are particularly susceptible to discrimination and violence. To estimate the prevalence of identity change efforts on transgender individuals, researchers obtained data of 27,715 transgender adults from the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.
After adjustment, exposure to gender identity conversion therapy was associated with a lifetime history of suicide attempt (OR 2.47 [99.7% CI 2.21–2.76]), lifetime history of suicidal ideation (OR 2.61 [99.7% CI 2.16–3.15]), and last-month severe mental distress (OR 1.76 [99.7% CI 1.57–1.98])
Transgender adults were more likely to experience negative mental health problems if exposed to conversion therapy. According to the survey, 18.8% of transgender respondents had been exposed to psychological attempts to change their gender identity. Compared to the 3.5% prevalence among minority men in Canada, this number is prominent. Those exposed were also more likely to be unemployed and to have a lower income.
No matter how you look at the numbers, the rate of negative mental health outcomes is striking. LGBTQ individuals are at grossly high risk for attempting suicide compared to heterosexual, cisgender individuals. If they were exposed to conversion efforts, that risk doubled. Identity change practices have been completely debunked through empirical means, and any LGBTQ members would reiterate that identity and sexual orientation are not something that can be changed. These studies show that conversion practices are still in play, especially in the south. LGBTQ individuals will be burdened with the mental health repercussions of conversion therapy until these practices and other forms of discrimination completely stop.
