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Sexual Orientation Change Efforts Do Not Increase Suicide: Correcting a False Research Narrative
1Department of Sociology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, 20064, USA. sullins@cua.edu.
Archives of Sexual Behavior
|September 6, 2022
Summary
Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) do not increase suicide risk. Analysis correcting for prior suicidality found SOCE may reduce subsequent suicide attempts, challenging previous claims of increased risk.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are interventions aimed at altering homosexual orientation.
- Previous studies suggested a link between SOCE and increased suicidality among sexual minorities.
- Methodological limitations in prior research did not adequately control for pre-existing suicidal behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the association between SOCE and suicidality in sexual minority individuals.
- To determine if SOCE is a causal factor in increased suicide risk or attempts.
- To assess the impact of SOCE on subsequent suicidal behavior after controlling for baseline suicidality.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a national probability sample of 1518 sexual minority individuals.
- Statistical correction for pre-existing suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts.
- Examination of the temporal relationship between SOCE and suicidal behavior.
Main Results:
- After correcting for pre-existing suicidality, SOCE was not positively associated with suicidal ideation, planning, or attempts.
- SOCE following expressions of suicidal ideation, planning, or intention was associated with a significant reduction in subsequent suicide attempts (72-80%).
- SOCE administered after an initial suicide attempt did not significantly reduce further attempts.
Conclusions:
- Contrary to previous claims, SOCE does not appear to increase suicidality among sexual minorities when controlling for baseline risk.
- SOCE may serve as a protective factor, potentially reducing the incidence of subsequent suicide attempts.
- Restrictions on SOCE may inadvertently limit access to a resource that could mitigate suicide risk for some individuals.
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