Retrospective Self-Reports of Changes in Homosexual Orientation: A Consumer Survey of Conversion Therapy Clients

Abstract

We present the results of a survey of 882 dissatisfied homosexual people whom we queried about their beliefs regarding conversion therapy and the possibility of change in sexual orientation. There were 70 closed-ended questions on the survey and 5 open-ended ones. Of the 882 participants, 726 of them reported that they had received conversion therapy from a professional therapist or a pastoral counselor. Of the participants 779 or 89.7% viewed themselves as "more homosexual than heterosexual," "almost exclusively homosexual," or "exclusively homosexual" in their orientation before receiving conversion therapy or making self-help efforts to change. After receiving therapy or engaging in self-help, 305 (35.1%) of the participants continued to view their orientation in this manner. As a group, the participants reported large and statistically significant reductions in the frequency of their homosexual thoughts and fantasies that they attributed to conversion therapy or self-help. They also reported large improvements in their psychological, interpersonal, and spiritual well-being. These responses cannot, for several reasons, be generalized beyond the present sample, but the attitudes and ideas are useful in developing testable hypotheses for further research.

Ethical Considerations for Psychologists Taking a Public Stance on Controversial Issues: The Balance Between Personal and Professional Life

“…Additionally, the APA took the same stance through several amici curiae briefs supporting gay rights (see citations listed above), through the passing of the resolution stating that homosexuality is not a disorder and that psychologists should not discriminate against individuals who identify as such (APA, 1997), through the report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation (APA, 2009), and through the article published by the APA concluding that there is insufficient evidence supporting efforts to change sexual orientation (Munsey, 2009). However, research continues to be conducted on therapeutic approaches (e.g., conversion therapy, reparative therapy, sexual orientation change efforts [SOCE]) for treating homosexuality (e.g., Karten & Wade, 2010; Nicolosi, 2009; Nicolosi, Byrd, & Potts, 2000; Spitzer, 2003; Throckmorton, 2002) 3 . There are several examples, such as this, of conflicting evidence in the literature on controversial issues; however, it is psychologists’ professional duty to critically evaluate what they read and take into account limitations of the studies before drawing conclusions and holding a public position based on research.…”

Motivational, Ethical, and Epistemological Foundations in the Treatment of Unwanted Homoerotic Attraction

“…It appears that a significant majority of individuals with unwanted homoerotic attraction and who attempt to increase their heterosexual potential come from conservative religious backgrounds (Nicolosi, Byrd, & Potts, 2000;Schaeffer, Hyde, Kroencke, McCormick, & Nottebaum, 2000Schaeffer, Nottebaum, Dech, & Drawczyk, 2000Spitzer, 2001~). Spitzer ( 2 0 0 1~) found that 79% of his sample of 200 men and women who claimed to have changed their sexual orientation were motivated by their religious beliefs.…”

“…Spitzer ( 2 0 0 1~) reported that 67% of men cited this reason as well as 35% of women. Nicolosi et al (2000) indicated that 32% of their sample was married. Given the religiously conservative nature of these samples, it is not unexpected that the participants would desire to explore their heterosexual potential and, if possible, move toward the theologically sanctioned context for sexual expression within their faith community.…”

“…However, they did indicate that even when some level of homoerotic attraction persists, change efforts could promote positive mental health and religious experience. Nicolosi, Byrd, and Potts (2000) surveyed 882 individuals who underwent psychological treatment, in the form of conversion therapy and self-help groups, to modify same-sex attraction. Of the 318 clients who rated themselves as having exclusively same-gender sexual orientation prior to treatment, posttreatment results indicated that 18% rated themselves as exclusively heterosexual, and 17% felt almost entirely heterosexual.…”

Self-reports of sexual attraction change in a sample of male psychotherapy consumers in a private practice setting

“…In a study by Nicolosi, Byrd and Potts (2000) over one-third of 882 participants identified themselves as exclusively homosexual prior to any intervention, but at the time of follow-up almost 18% reported that they viewed themselves as exclusively heterosexual. Before any intervention, a little over 2% of the participants perceived themselves as exclusively or almost entirely heterosexual, whereas after intervention over one-third perceived themselves as exclusively, or almost entirely heterosexual.…”