The Pursuit of Change and Acceptance of Minority Sexual Orientation in Psychotherapy: Retrospective Perceptions of Helpfulness and Harmfulness
We examined a convenience sample (N = 192; Mage = 39.8) of sexual minorities to identify what characteristics might be related to perceiving five psychotherapy goals, four of which are associated with sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE), as being helpful or harmful. We also sought to determine...
| Authors: | ; ; |
|---|---|
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
|
| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
2021
|
| In: |
Journal of psychology and christianity
Year: 2021, Volume: 40, Issue: 3, Pages: 185-203 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Conversion therapy
/ Mental health
|
| IxTheo Classification: | NCF Sexual ethics ZD Psychology |
| Summary: | We examined a convenience sample (N = 192; Mage = 39.8) of sexual minorities to identify what characteristics might be related to perceiving five psychotherapy goals, four of which are associated with sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE), as being helpful or harmful. We also sought to determine whether these perceptions are associated with the health measures of depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, and physical health. Participants (93.3% White; 40% female) were recruited through socio-politically diverse venues and networks, from change-oriented to LGBTQ+-affirming. Fifty-three percent of the sample was currently affiliated with the Mormon church and 29.7% described themselves as theologically conservative. We found that the goals of reducing same-sex attractions (SSA), feeling heterosexual attractions, and eliminating SSA were, on average, considered mildly to moderately harmful by the overall sample. The goal of not acting on SSA was rated between no effect and mildly helpful. The goal of accepting one’s SSA was rated moderately helpful, regardless of participant beliefs and background. Results of t-tests and linear multiple regressions indicated participants who were more traditionally religious and did not view same-sex attractions as strictly biological in origin tended to have greater perceptions of the helpfulness of goals associated with SOCE, particularly those who did not identify as LGBTQ+. Traditional religious belief, identity, and activity were associated with rating some goals of SOCE as at least mildly helpful. Effect sizes were mostly moderate to large for these statistics. There was a heightened level of depression and anxiety among these sexual minorities overall, but past pursuit of change-oriented goals did not appear to be a major explanation for current levels of distress. We conclude by outlining some implications and cautions based on our findings for both proponents and opponents of change-oriented psychotherapy approaches. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0733-4273 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Journal of psychology and christianity
|