title: Sexual orientation change efforts through psychotherapy for LGBQ individuals affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
abstract: This study reports the results of a comprehensive online survey of 1,612 current or former members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, many of whom engaged in psychotherapy to cope with (i.e., understand, accept, or change) their same-sex attractions. Data obtained from written and quantitative responses showed that therapy was initiated over a very wide age range and continued for many years. However, counseling was largely ineffective; less than 4% reported any modification of core same-sex erotic attraction. Moreover, 42% reported that their change-oriented therapy was not at all effective, and 37% found it to be moderately to severely harmful. In contrast, affirming psychotherapeutic strategies were often found to be beneficial in reducing depression, increasing self-esteem, and improving family and other relationships. Results suggest that the very low likelihood of a modification of sexual orientation and the ambiguous nature of any such change should be important considerations for highly religious sexual minority individuals considering reorientation therapy.
authors.affiliation: a English Department , Dartmouth College , Hanover , New Hampshire , USA.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Dehlin
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Crowell
authors.forename: Renee V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Galliher
authors.forename: William S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Bradshaw
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D034682:Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012069:Religion and Psychology; D012071:Religion and Sex; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States