Citation

Heiden-Rootes K, McGeorge CR, Salas J, Levine S. J. Marital Fam. Ther. 2022; 48(3): 927-944.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/jmft.12575

PMID

34866204

Abstract

Gender identity change efforts (GICE) and sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) continue to be practiced by mental health professionals and religious organizations. It is frequently sought out by families who are rejecting loved ones with marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities. This study explored the impact of religious and nonreligious GICE on the mental health of transgender and nonbinary adults through a secondary data analysis of the U.S. Transgender Survey.

RESULTS found that both nonreligious and religious GICE were associated with increased odds of suicidal ideation and attempts. Only nonreligious GICE was associated with severe psychological distress. Black individuals showed increased odds of binge alcohol consumption when exposed to nonreligious change efforts, while White individuals showed decreased odds with both nonreligious and religious GICE. This study supports ethical and legal bans on GICE.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Female; Male; mental health; Suicidal Ideation; Mental Health; transgender; Sexual Behavior; Gender Identity; family support; Black; Latinx; gender identity change efforts; Transgender Persons