ABSTRACT
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.
Subject(s)
Sexual Behavior , Sexual and Gender Minorities , Female , Humans , Male , Marriage , Retrospective Studies , Self ConceptABSTRACT
Este artigo analisa as representações sociais sobre a origem da homossexualidade apresentadas por homens que alegaram ter mudado de identidade sexual. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, de corte transversal, de abordagem qualitativa. Foram entrevistados quatro homens maiores de 18 anos. O instrumento teve por base um roteiro semiestruturado de entrevista. Os dados foram sistematizados a partir de uma análise de conteúdo temática, revelando quatro categorias: 1. Estrutura familiar deficiente. 2. Abuso sexual na infância. 3. Experiências homossexuais prazerosas. 4. Ação de entidades espirituais. Todos os discursos procuraram justificar/deslegitimar a homossexualidade argumentando que ela é antinatural/causada exclusivamente por fatores ambientais. Além da apropriação de elementos de teorias psicanalíticas e psicológicas, percebeu-se uma forte ancoragem em valores religiosos sobre a homossexualidade. Acredita-se que a busca pela legitimação desse discurso pode pretender justificar as tomadas de posição e os comportamentos relativos à decisão de mudar de orientação sexual.
This article analyzes the social representations about the origin of homosexuality presented by men who claimed to have changed their sexual identity. This is an exploratory, cross-sectional study with a qualitative approach. Four men over the age of eighteen years were interviewed. The instrument was based on a semi-structured interview script. Data were systematized based on a thematic content analysis, revealing four categories: 1. Poor family structure. 2. Sexual abuse in childhood. 3. Pleasurable homosexual experiences. 4. Action of spiritual entities. All discourses sought to justify and/or delegitimize homosexuality by arguing that it is unnatural and/or exclusively caused by environmental factors. In addition to the appropriation of elements of psychoanalytic and psychological theories, a strong anchoring of religious values about homosexuality was observed. It is believed that the search for the legitimization of this discourse may pretend to justify the positions and behaviors related to the decision to change sexual orientation.
