Abstract
Studies of adults who experienced sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) have documented a range of health risks. To date, there is little research on SOCE among adolescents and no known studies of parents’ role related to SOCE with adolescents. In a cross-sectional study of 245 LGBT White and Latino young adults (ages 21–25), we measured parent-initiated SOCE during adolescence and its relationship to mental health and adjustment in young adulthood. Measures include being sent to therapists and religious leaders for conversion interventions as well as parental/caregiver efforts to change their child’s sexual orientation during adolescence. Attempts by parents/caregivers and being sent to therapists and religious leaders for conversion interventions were associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, less educational attainment, and less weekly income. Associations between SOCE, health, and adjustment were much stronger and more frequent for those reporting both attempts by parents and being sent to therapists and religious leaders, underscoring the need for parental education and guidance.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Homosexuality |
| DOIs | |
| State | Accepted/In press - Jan 1 2018 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- conversion therapy
- depression
- LGBT youth
- reparative therapy
- Sexual orientation
- sexual orientation change efforts
- suicidality
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Gender Studies
- Social Psychology
- Education
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Parent-Initiated Sexual Orientation Change Efforts With LGBT Adolescents : Implications for Young Adult Mental Health and Adjustment. / Ryan, Caitlin; Toomey, Russell B.; Diaz, Rafael M.; Russell, Stephen T.
In: Journal of Homosexuality, 01.01.2018.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Parent-Initiated Sexual Orientation Change Efforts With LGBT Adolescents
T2 - Implications for Young Adult Mental Health and Adjustment
AU - Ryan, Caitlin
AU - Toomey, Russell B.
AU - Diaz, Rafael M.
AU - Russell, Stephen T
PY - 2018/1/1
Y1 - 2018/1/1
N2 - Studies of adults who experienced sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) have documented a range of health risks. To date, there is little research on SOCE among adolescents and no known studies of parents’ role related to SOCE with adolescents. In a cross-sectional study of 245 LGBT White and Latino young adults (ages 21–25), we measured parent-initiated SOCE during adolescence and its relationship to mental health and adjustment in young adulthood. Measures include being sent to therapists and religious leaders for conversion interventions as well as parental/caregiver efforts to change their child’s sexual orientation during adolescence. Attempts by parents/caregivers and being sent to therapists and religious leaders for conversion interventions were associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, less educational attainment, and less weekly income. Associations between SOCE, health, and adjustment were much stronger and more frequent for those reporting both attempts by parents and being sent to therapists and religious leaders, underscoring the need for parental education and guidance.
AB - Studies of adults who experienced sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) have documented a range of health risks. To date, there is little research on SOCE among adolescents and no known studies of parents’ role related to SOCE with adolescents. In a cross-sectional study of 245 LGBT White and Latino young adults (ages 21–25), we measured parent-initiated SOCE during adolescence and its relationship to mental health and adjustment in young adulthood. Measures include being sent to therapists and religious leaders for conversion interventions as well as parental/caregiver efforts to change their child’s sexual orientation during adolescence. Attempts by parents/caregivers and being sent to therapists and religious leaders for conversion interventions were associated with depression, suicidal thoughts, suicidal attempts, less educational attainment, and less weekly income. Associations between SOCE, health, and adjustment were much stronger and more frequent for those reporting both attempts by parents and being sent to therapists and religious leaders, underscoring the need for parental education and guidance.
KW - conversion therapy
KW - depression
KW - LGBT youth
KW - reparative therapy
KW - Sexual orientation
KW - sexual orientation change efforts
KW - suicidality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85057320128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85057320128&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/00918369.2018.1538407
DO - 10.1080/00918369.2018.1538407
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85057320128
JO - Journal of Homosexuality
JF - Journal of Homosexuality
SN - 0091-8369
ER -